NEWS COPY
Brits are eschewing trips to the sun beds out of a fear they might end up looking like DONALD TRUMP.
A new poll has revealed 73 per cent of UK adults who have previously used, or considered using, a UV tanning bed would never do so again thanks to the ‘panda eyes’ and ‘orange hue’ sported by the American President.
The research shows that Trump could have adversely reduced skin cancer risk in Britain by pushing us to adopt natural skin colours rather than his bright orange glow.
Eight in ten people aged 55-64 said they would never go on a sunbed again thanks to President Trump’s unnatural orange hue.
Three-quarters of women said the President turns them off UV tanning, compared to a smaller 69 percent of men.
The decline in the potentially life-threatening UV tanning trend is welcomed by GPs, who are the first port of call for patients with skin cancer symptoms.
Dr Kristy Lau, NHS GP and one of the founding GPs behind the doctor-on-demand service GPDQ explains why President Trump’s appearance could save thousands of lives:
“Sunbeds emit high intensity ultraviolet radiation which activates premature skin aging, but importantly it damages the skin cells' structure leading to an increased risk of skin cancer, development of cataracts and suppression of the immune system.
“President Trump’s white eye areas are evidence that he does wear goggles on the sunbed, which protect the eyes, but it’s not enough.
“The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) found that first exposure to sunbeds before the age of 35 years increases the risk of melanoma by 75 per cent.”
According to Cancer Research UK, in 2015 15,906 cases were reported, and in the previous year there were 2,459 deaths as a result of skin cancer.
Projected to rise by seven percent in the UK, the charity expects a massive 32 cases per 100,000 people by 2035.
The charity claims that 86 percent of cases are preventable, through sensible behaviour.
Ophelia Hohler, Head of Marketing at the UK’s leading beauty booking service www.treatwell.co.uk comments on the shift from tanning beds, to healthier spray tans that moisturise, rather than dehydrate and damage the skin:
"At Treatwell we saw an increase of 20 percent in spray tan bookings in the UK last year, while the percentage of our bookings for sun beds decreased, showing that our customers are opting for safer tanning."
For more Trump-inspired beauty trends, check out actress Tess Paras’ ‘TRUMPING’ make-up tutorial:
Top 10 all-year-round tips for preventing skin cancer:
1. Avoid tanning and never use UV tanning beds – fake it, or embrace your natural skin tone
2. Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM (all year round!)
3. Do not burn
4. Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses
5. Use a broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day
6. Apply sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
7. Keep newborns out of the sun completely. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months.
8. Buy a sunscreen with a high ‘star’ rating and UVA high enough to protect you from the sun (see table below)
9. Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
10. Book a professional skin examination to identify issues early – a GP can do this
ENDS
