Britain’s Modeling Agencies Ban Tanning Beds

REPOSTED FROM MY ARTICLE ON MODERN HIPPIE MAG:

Britain’s fashion world is making strides in protecting models as leading modeling agencies have teamed up with the R UV UGLY? campaign creating a “Zero Tolerance” policy for tanning beds before the catwalk.

The R UV UGLY? campaign’s mission is to raise awareness on the dangers and damages of tanning beds. Directors from Storm, Elite ,Next, Premier Model Management,Union, First and D1 have all agreed to ban their models from using tanning beds to top up their tans before shows. London Fashion Week was the kick in launching the Zero Tolerance policy.

Sarah Doukas, the managing director of Storm Models is proud to support the campaign. “Supporting this campaign makes perfect sense as the wellbeing of our models is of paramount importance and we take a serious approach to their health. We do not advocate the use of sunbeds for any of our models, and recommend that they choose safer options if they require a tan – spray tans are easy to apply and can last a week. It is well documented that UV from sunbeds can cause serious skin damage, especially in the under 35s.”

Cancer Research UK shares some scary truths about the harm sunbeds cause.

• Cause around 100 deaths from melanoma every year in the UK.
• Using sunbeds for the first time before the age of 35 increases the risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by 75%. Surgical treatment for skin cancer can result in serious scarring.
• Boosting your tan by having two sunbed sessions within 24 hours or after sunbathing is particularly harmful.
• The amount of UVA given off can be 10-15 times higher than the midday sun.
• Short periods of intense, irregular UV exposure, like you get on a sunbed, are the fastest way to damage your skin.

The list goes on, showing tanning beds are not just harmful to your appearance but more importantly to your health. The model agencies jumped on the bandwagon in hopes of protecting models from health and cosmetic impact of using the ultra-violet beds.

Chris Lunn, SunSmart campaign manager at Cancer Research UK is pleased to have the agencies join. “Using sunbeds can make your skin coarse, leathery and wrinkly. The UV rays from a sunbed can also damage the DNA in your skin. Over time, this damage can build up and may lead to melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. So, if you feel you must have a tan, it is safer to fake it.”

CEO of Elite Model Management London hopes this will send a strong message to teens and young adults that sunbeds will cause negative impacts.

Britain agencies say spray tans are the way to go. Not only has Britain’s modeling agencies helped protect their models, this new initiative will heighten the bar for other Countries.

So will America be next? Let’s hope so as tanning beds are the worst way to get sun. If you do feel the need for some sun, wear sunscreen. It’s the natural way of getting the Vitamin D you need.

Image courtesy of flicker, Whatsername?