Despite this, people still flock to sunbed salons in the pursuit of tanned skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, 40% of 18 to 25 year olds are unaware of the risks of tanning (such as premature ageing and an increased chance of developing melanoma), while 20% say that getting a tan is more important than preventing skin cancer. This is a terrifying statistic, especially when you consider that people who are frequently exposed to UV rays before age 25 are at higher risk of developing skin cancer in later life, according to the National Health Service. It’s clear that we have a serious public health problem on our hands, and it’s time we did something about it.
