Local Sunbed Business Urges Green MP To See The Light

Green MP Sue Kedgley, a long-standing opponent of the sunbed industry, made a statement yesterday calling again for regulation of New Zealand sunbed operators.

Tiffany Brown, managing director of veteran indoor tanning business Get Brown Tanning, says the ‘good operators’ in New Zealand don’t have a problem with that.

Ms. Brown says, “Good salon operators already monitor and restrict use of sunbeds for young people and those with skin type 1. In fact, when the research indicating increased risk with use of sunbeds is analysed excluding the skin type 1 participants- no risk is associated at all. Other research which has not been widely reported indicates a decrease in risk of skin cancer among sunbed users. Studies also confirm that tanners have higher vitamin D levels than non-tanners.’

In 2009, there were 3000 peer-reviewed academic studies published about vitamin D and positive health outcomes. Following statements made by Dr. Richard McKenzie of NIWA last week confirming vitamin D is made in the skin from sunbed light exposure as well as from sunlight, Get Brown Tanning and others in the sunbed industry are delighted to see the issue brought to Kiwis’ attention.

Ultraviolet radiation from sunbeds contains the correct wavelength of light to stimulate the production of vitamin D in the body (UVB rays at 320 to 290nm). Vitamin D’s metabolic product, calcitriol, is a hormone that targets over 2000 genes, or about 10% of the human genome. About half the New Zealand population is deficient in vitamin D. Infants, the elderly, those with obesity issues, and darker-skinned population groups are the most vulnerable.

“Ms. Kedgley tells people our industry claims “sunbeds are healthy”, but this is a gross over-simplification. Any claims made about moderate tanning in a non-burning fashion are well supported by scientific research.’

“Unfortunately the Green Party is out of touch with recent, relevant information about the state of the industry, because like the Cancer Society and NIWA, they decline to talk with us,” said Ms. Brown. “Better public health outcomes are our concern as much as theirs; that being so it’s quite unthinkable in this day and age these groups refuse to meet or even take our phone calls. We are very frustrated.”

ENDS

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