Getting golden glow's risky business

Mercia Yates vows she won't step inside another sunbed.

The Rotorua Education Centre academic manager spent several years visiting sunbed salons to achieve her sun-kissed look.

But growing fears about the risks too much UV was having on her skin forced her to opt for spray-on tans instead.

"The spray products achieve the same look but I'm just more conscious these days about how harmful too much UV can be."

The Cancer Society wants more people like Miss Yates to avoid sunbeds.

International research shows the risk of melanoma increases by up to 75 per cent if people use sunbeds before they're 35.

As a result, the Cancer Society has asked researchers from Otago University to track the growth of sunbeds in New Zealand.

A new report shows the number of sunbeds in Australia increased four-fold between 1996 and 2006 and Cancer Society officials fear their popularity has grown here as well.

The society's skin cancer prevention adviser, Judith Galtry, said some users wrongly assumed that sunbeds were a safer alternative to New Zealand's powerful sun, when in fact the UV radiation from sunbeds was five times stronger. Skin cancer is New Zealand's most common cancer, with between 45,000 and 75,000 new cases, and over 300 deaths, every year.

Dr Galtry said health professionals throughout Australasia agreed urgent tighter controls were needed.

"The solarium industry currently regulates itself under a voluntary code of practice that many feel is not working."

Miss Yates used sunbeds to tan for more than 20 years. However, about two years ago, she started noticing sunspots on her face, a sign of premature ageing.

"That made me stop right away. Plus, my mum died of cancer so I was more aware of things like that."

Although spray tans don't last as long as sunbed tans, she is happy to get them to maintain her bronzed complexion.

"If you're looking nice and golden, it makes you feel healthy."

Despite the health risk, Rotorua sunbed operators say sunbeds are just as popular as ever.

Studio 1229 manager Hayley McMahon said they advised all their sunbed clients to slowly build up their tans. Helene Kuchler, a beautician at Salon St Bruno, said products were available to help protect a client's skin when using sunbeds.