BRONZE BLUNDER
I’m showing the reality of using sunbeds for decades – I love my year-round tan but my ‘roasted’ skin is ‘disgusting’
Scroll down to find out more on the risks of sunbeds
A 54-YEAR-OLD woman has bravely opened up on the brutal reality of using sunbeds for decades.
Karrieann, from Ireland, claims that she loves her year-round tan - however she describes her "roasted" skin as "disgusting".
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And she admits that her years spent on sunbeds has "ruined" her skin.
The personal trainer has had 18 moles removed and expects that is just the start.
The content creator took to social media to show off her skin after using sunbeds, leaving many open-mouthed.
Posting online, Karrieann wore a red co-ord gym set, revealing her tanned but "damaged" skin.
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She said: “Ladies, don't let all this fabulousness fool you, ok?”
She then added: “I get a lot of comments about my tan - I am tanned all year round, everywhere, I love my tan, I spent many years on the sunbeds ruining my skin.”
Sunbeds have long been linked to skin cancer and have even been banned in countries such as Brazil and Australia.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there is significant evidence to show that using tanning beds causes melanoma.
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They report that sunbeds increase the risk of skin cancer by up to 20 per cent, and also state that they have no positive benefits to our health.
Sharing her expertise, Carol Cooper, Sun Doctor, said: ''Let’s be clear about sunbeds. It’s not just ‘some’ experts that say they’re bad for your skin. It’s almost all of them.
''Actually, anyone who’s ever used a sunbed is at least 20% more likely to develop malignant melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer.
From Glow to Glare: The Sunbed Debate
''UV rays damage the DNA in skin cells, so they’re more likely to mutate into cancer.
"You don’t even have to burn for it to happen.''
Not only does Karrieann rely on sunbeds, but she also added: “When I used to go on holidays, I used to lie out all day and my chest used to get roasted and the amount of people that used to pass comment on it, but I didn't know I was doing anything wrong at all.”
As a result of excessive sunbed usage and hours of sunbathing, Karrieann showed off the damage it has done to her skin.
Risks of sunbeds
THE promise of a constant glowing tan is too tempting for some people to deny.
But while popping to the sunbed shop may seem harmless, people who use tanning beds should be aware of the risks.
Approximately 10 per cent of the population of Northern Europe use sunbeds on a regular basis, the World Health Organization says.
Some people use them for years on end, accumulating risk of serious disease.
We are here to give you the lowdown on sunbeds and if they are safe to use.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), sunbeds are as dangerous as smoking.
Like the sun, they give out harmful UV rays that damage the DNA in your skin cells.
Over time, this may lead to malignant melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer - studies have shown.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there is significant evidence to show that using tanning beds causes melanoma.
They report that sunbeds increase the risk of skin cancer by up to 20 per cent, and also state that they have no positive benefits to our health.
Cancer Research back this statistic, adding that " there is no such thing as a safe tan from UV radiation".
One study found that sunbeds can almost double the risk of cancer compared to never using them - with women 83 per cent more likely to develop the disease.
While some people think tanning beds are safer than sitting out in the midday sun, according to Cancer Research, the risk is still twice as high when compared to spending the same amount of time in the Mediterranean sun at lunch time.
The Sunbed Association claim there is not enough evidence to link sunbed use with melanoma, adding: "It is over-exposure and burning that will increase a risk of skin cancer, not responsible UV exposure."
But the WHO says: "The majority of tanning parlours provide inadequate advice to their customers.
"The use of eye protection such as goggles or sunglasses should be mandatory.
"However, as sunbed users aim to have an even tan, they often decide against protecting any part of their body."
Referring to the link with skin cancer, the world health experts add: "Sunbeds for self-tanning purposes have been available for the last two decades and due to the long latency period for skin cancer and eye damage it has been difficult so far to demonstrate any long-term health effects.
"Even though the causes of malignant melanoma are not fully understood, tumour development appears to be linked to occasional exposure to intense sunlight.
"Sunbeds subject their users to intermittent high exposures of UVA and UVB radiation – this may provide the ideal setting for the development of malignant skin cancer.
"However, the few epidemiological studies that have been carried out to date have not provided any consistent results."
Despite the WHO's cautious stance on the skin cancer link, it discourages the use of sunbeds, quoting an expert who said the use of tanning parlours is like "an industrial-scale radiation exposure experiment".
Regardless of skin cancer, sunbeds don't just have long-term health risks.
Users have reported a range of short-term symptoms including itching, dryness and redness of skin, freckling and photosensitivity.
Common outcomes in the longer term, especially in fair-skinned people, may involve blistering of the skin.
"Sagging and wrinkling of the skin are an almost certain price to be paid by frequent sunbed users", the WHO says - not quite the outcome you hope for when going to the sunbed shop for a beautiful, youthful look.
She shared: “Only years later, I now have all this skin damage, it's everywhere.
"It's actually disgusting, I have it on my hands, age spots and on my arm.”
Karrieann revealed that she “hated the sun” as a child and stressed that her love of sunbeds began when she got into fitness, after she noticed that "everyone was brown”.
As a result, she “followed suit”, but claimed that she wishes she could “go back in time and talk to myself again.”
I now have all this skin damage, it's everywhere. It's actually disgusting
Karrieann
The fitness fan recognised that whilst many people think the marks on her skin are freckles, they are in fact damage from hours of laying on sunbeds.
Subsequently, the woman, who described her natural skin colour as “white white” and almost “purple white”, begged: “I cannot stress enough, please look after your skin, because any of the damage done doesn't come out of your skin until years later.”
Social media users react
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @kar72774, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 81,800 views.
Social media users were gobsmacked at Karrieann’s skin and many eagerly flocked to the comments to praise her for raising awareness of the dangers of sunbeds.
Huge respect for you for raising awareness about the dangers of chasing a tan
TikTok user
One person said: “Thanks for sharing. Sunbeds are being overused now.”
Another added: “All credit to you for raising awareness, I’ve never been a sunbed user, I’ve always used fake tan but great for the younger generation to hear what you’re saying. Btw you’re beautiful.”
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A third commented: “Huge respect for you for raising awareness about the dangers of chasing a tan.”
Meanwhile, someone else penned: “Thanks for sharing, it hurts me to see all these young girls on TikTok videoing their sunbed sessions and I worry for them.
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"They are not seeing the dangers of it. Sunbeds should be banned.”
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