Researchers Shed New Light on the Benefits of UV Exposure
As the government consults on a 10-year national cancer strategy, the health risks of UV exposure are once again in the spotlight. But new research from the University of Edinburgh suggests that in countries with low sunlight, the conversation about UV may be about to change.
As the country moves into summer and people spend more time out of doors or plan their annual family holidays, many Britons will be thinking about how they can enjoy the sunshine most safely. But if consumers are to make informed choices about exposure to all forms of UV, they require access to clear information that is based on science fact, not science fiction.
In recent decades, most evidence in the debate about UV has focused only on the health risks that result from excessive exposure. But now an important new report has revealed that whilst there are risks associated with UV over-exposure, there could also be some important health benefits.
A recent study, published in the respected peer-reviewed public health journal Health and Place, found that people in parts of the UK with higher UV exposure had lower rates of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. And it is not just natural sunlight that delivers those benefits. Sunbed use was also linked with a reduced risk of death from these conditions. The experts’ research challenges existing widely held assumptions that all UV exposure is inherently harmful and should be avoided.
The findings from the University of Edinburgh study suggest that policymakers should take a more nuanced and considered approach when developing approaches based on risk reduction. UV exposure, when managed correctly, the researchers conclude, can play a positive role in overall health - particularly in countries with low levels of natural sunlight.
“Our paper adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that in lower light environments, relatively higher exposure to UV is good for your health,” Professor Chris Dibben from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Geosciences explained. “Though there may be an increased risk of skin cancer incidence with higher UV exposure, this risk appears to be outweighed by a larger reduction in the risk of death from cancer and cardiovascular-related disease.”
The Sunbed Association (TSA), which represents professional tanning salons in the UK has welcomed the new report, saying that it can potentially bring more balance to the ongoing debate about UV exposure.
Gary Lipman, Chairman of TSA told us that salon owners and operators would like to see discussions about UV risk reflect the latest science, not just outdated and often inaccurate views of the sector.
“This research reinforces what the sunbed industry has long known - moderate UV exposure, when managed responsibly, has important health benefits,” Lipman told us. “While excessive exposure carries risks, a balanced approach is key.”
Lipman’s view appears to be supported by leading experts from the University of Edinburgh. Professor Richard Weller, from the University’s Centre for Inflammation Research, believes that much of the public debate around the health risks of UV exposure has been shaped by studies that have limited relevance to Northern European countries such as the UK.
“Dermatologists have traditionally only considered possible harm to the skin caused by sunlight, much of which dates from the experience of white-skinned individuals in sunny countries such as Australia,” Professor Weller says. “However, this research shows that in the UK, the balance of benefit and risk from sunlight exposure is probably very different from that in sunnier countries.”
As public health discussions become increasingly focused on restricting consumer choices rather than on education, TSA argues that adults should be equipped with clear information that allows them to make informed choices about UV exposure. The trade body also believes that consumers are currently too often let down by an inconsistent patchwork of local licensing and regulation and would like to see more done to drive poor operators out of the sector.
“Policymakers must move beyond outdated attitudes and recognise that the industry has evolved, with responsible salons following strict guidelines on safety, skin type assessments, and exposure limits,” Lipman explains. “Sadly, those standards are not be followed by everyone in the sector. A consistent regulatory and licensing framework would ensure that consumers receive accurate information and have access to a safe, controlled alternative to outdoor tanning.”
And this is far from simply a public health issue. It also has important implications for local economies up and down the country. Tanning salons, a large majority of which are small independently owned businesses, are found on high streets right across the UK, bringing people into town centres, supporting local economies, and providing jobs and training. That economic benefit will be put at risk if well-meaning but misguided regulation makes it more difficult for salons to operate.
As the government develops its long-term cancer strategy, it now has an opportunity to reconsider how UV exposure is framed in public health discussions and support consumers to make informed choices. The key to unlocking those benefits is ensuring that regulation focuses on quality and consistency rather than prohibition that would remove choice for adults, damage local economies, and potentially damage wider public health.
“This research should be the catalyst for a grown-up conversation about UV exposure,” Lipman says. “One that acknowledges both the risks and the benefits, follows the science, and prioritises informed consumer choice over blanket restrictions.”
