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Is it better to get a tan at a tanning salon?

Tanning beds expose you to UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning), causing premature ageing and the potential for developing melanoma (cancer of the skin).

Furthermore, the radiation levels are more intense, especially for UVA, requiring you to limit exposure to very brief periods (maximum 20 minutes). That is why the World Health Organization does not recommend the use of UV tanning devices for cosmetic reasons.

If you want a nice tan, you can expose yourself to direct sunlight but only under these conditions: don’t sunbathe at midday; apply a sunblock lotion or moisturiser that protects against UVA and UVB; repeat application every two hours; and apply a moisturiser after sun exposure to re-hydrate your skin.