Save your skin - Fake it!
Thursday 06 August 2009
We all like to have a healthy sun-kissed glow, and with many of us forced to take a staycation this summer a sunbed may seem like the next best thing. But the true effect this may have on your health has been revealed.
We’ve always known that using sunbeds is dangerous; however new research has discovered that it’s as bad for your health as smoking.
Sunbeds have now been categorised as ‘carcinogenic to humans,’ putting them alongside cigarettes, alcohol and asbestos as one of the major causes of cancer.
According to the World Health Organisation the risk of developing skin cancer from using sunbeds has nearly trebled in the last decade, with 70,000 cases diagnosed in Britain each year.
The figure is believed to be rising as today’s lamps emit up to three times as much harmful UV light as those used ten years ago. In fact the intensity of UV rays from some sunbeds can be up to 15 times higher than that of the midday sun!
Research has also found that the risk of melanoma – the most deadly form of skin cancer – was increased by 75% in people who started using sunbeds regularly before the age of 30.
With an estimated three million Brits putting themselves at risk of skin cancer by using sunbeds regularly, there are now calls for all unsupervised tanning salons to be closed down and a ban enforced to stop under-18s using them.
To save your skin but still have a natural-looking glow this summer, we’ve tracked down five of the best fake-tans for you to try.
Fake Bake: Often voted the best self-tanning range on the market, Fake Bake gives a tan even the most dedicated sunbed worshippers would be proud of. The Lipo Bronze self tan with Lipo care (£20) has a unique combination of anti-cellulite properties to combat any orange-peel while you tan. The original self tan lotion is £24.95.
For more information visit www.fakebake.co.uk
Xen-Tan: This fake tan promises no orange, no horrible smells and no streaks – the telltale signs that you’re faking it. Xen-Tan is a favourite of The Saturdays, Alesha Dixon and Lisa Snowdon amongst others, and costs £21.95 a bottle.
For more information visit www.xen-tan.co.uk
St Tropez: Another celebrity fave, St Tropez is one of the original and best tanning companies. The easy-to-apply formula has a dark colour to help show where you have, and most importantly haven’t, applied. Prices start at £20.
For more information visit www.sttropez.co.uk
Piz Buin: There’s not much worse than coming out the wrong shade of tan for your skin tone. Piz Buin’s self tanning lotion and colour dial (£17.99) solves this problem by allowing you to blend the perfect colour for you and give you a natural looking glow.
For more information visit www.pizbuin.com
Johnson’s Holiday Skin: If you’re on a budget and want a tan that will build up gradually, try Johnson’s Holiday Skin (£4.99), a moisturiser with a hint of self tanner to give you a hint of tan and no streaks.
For more information visit www.johnsonsbeauty.co.uk
By Chloe Best