Sunbed use legislation in Europe: assessment of current status.

BACKGROUND: The use of UV-emitting tanning devices for cosmetic purposes is associated with an increased risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Young women are the most frequent users, therefore, there is an increasing concern about the regulation of sunbed use. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective is to assess the current legislation on sunbed use among European countries. METHODS: We developed a 30-item questionnaire to gather the most relevant information about sunbed use legislation. The questionnaire was sent to Euromelanoma coordinators and to designated coordinators out of the Euromelanoma network. RESULTS: We obtained a response rate of 64%. More than 25% of the countries did not report any specific legislation. Roughly one-third of the countries does not have a restriction for minors. Even in countries with a specific legislation, a lack or insufficient enforcement of age limit was observed in up to 100% of the inspections based on the PROSAFE report from 2012. Self-tanning devices were reported in 50%, and almost 40% of countries do not require supervision of use. Although a warning display is required in 77% of cases, a signed informed consent is not required in 80%. In the vast majority of cases, the number of licensed or closed tanning centres is unknown. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the evidence of its harmful effects, and its frequent use by young people, many of whom are at high risk of skin cancer because of fair skin, a significant number of European countries lack a specific legislation on tanning devices. In order to limit the access of young people to sunbeds, a more strictly enforced regulation is needed, as well as regulation regarding advertisement, and location of tanning centres, in addition to health promotion campaigns that target the vulnerable population of young women seeking its use for improved cosmesis.

Anthropometric factors and Breslow thickness: prospective data on 2570 cases of cutaneous melanoma in the population-based Janus Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Breslow thickness is the most important prognostic factor of localized cutaneous melanoma (CM), but associations with anthropometric factors have been sparsely and incompletely investigated. OBJECTIVES: To examine prediagnostic body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA), and height, weight and weight change in relation to Breslow thickness, overall and by anatomical site and histological subtype; and to assess possible nonlinear associations between these anthropometric factors and Breslow thickness. METHODS: CMs in the Janus Cohort were identified between 1972 and 2014. Linear regression was used to estimate geometric mean ratios (GMRs) of Breslow thickness with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to anthropometric factors. Restricted cubic splines in generalized linear models predicted adjusted mean Breslow thickness, and were used to assess possible nonlinear relationships. RESULTS: Of 2570 cases of CM, obese patients had a GMR of 1·16 (95% CI 1·04-1·30) of Breslow thickness vs. normal-weight patients. For BSA and weight, quintile 5 showed GMRs of 1·13 (95% CI 1·00-1·27) and 1·17 (95% CI 1·03-1·33) of Breslow thickness vs. quintile 1, respectively. Associations seemed restricted to superficial spreading melanomas and CMs on the trunk and lower limbs. The associations plateaued at an adjusted mean Breslow thickness of about 2·5 mm (BMI 29 kg m-2 , BSA 2·05 m2 and weight 90 kg), before declining for the highest values. No associations were found for height and weight change. CONCLUSIONS: This large case-series of incident CM demonstrated positive associations between BMI, BSA, weight and Breslow thickness, and suggested that behavioural or other mechanisms apply at high values.

Ultraviolet exposure from indoor tanning devices: a systematic review.

Use of indoor tanning devices increases the risk of cutaneous melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Indoor tanning devices have become important sources of ultraviolet (UV) exposure, both UVB and UVA. This systematic review assessed UV measurements performed in indoor tanning devices related to irradiance level, wavelength distribution and similarities to natural sun. The study was performed in accordance with the MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from inception to May 2015, and also examined the reference lists of the retrieved studies. Eighteen studies were included. Twelve studies examined the erythema-weighted UV irradiances of indoor tanning devices, 11 studies examined UVB and 13 studies studied UVA. Compliance with irradiance limits was reported in nine studies. Erythema-weighted irradiances were highest in the most recent studies. Most studies had mean values higher than from natural sun and with large variations between devices. All studies except two had mean unweighted UVB irradiances lower than from natural summer sun (at latitudes from 37°S to 35°N), while mean unweighted UVA irradiances were, with one exception, substantially higher than from natural sun. The high values of UVA exposure from modern tanning devices are alarming in light of the increased focus on UVA irradiance as a carcinogen, and as UVA exposure confers little protection against subsequent UV exposure.

Effect of climate therapy at Gran Canaria on vitamin D production, blood glucose and lipids in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Climate therapy (heliotherapy) of psoriasis is an effective and natural treatment. Ultraviolet radiation (UVB) from the sun improves psoriasis and induces vitamin D(3) synthesis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of climate therapy on vitamin D(3) synthesis, blood glucose, lipids and vitamin B12 in psoriasis patients. METHODS: Twenty Caucasian patients (6 women and 14 men; mean age, 47.2 years; range, 24-65) with moderate to severe psoriasis [mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score 9.8; range, 3.8-18.8] received climate therapy at the Gran Canarias for 3 weeks. Blood samples were drawn before and after 15 days of sun exposure. In addition, the patients' individual skin UV doses based on UV measurements were estimated. RESULTS: Sun exposure for 15 days lead to a 72.8% (+/- 18.0 SD) reduction in the PASI score in psoriasis patients. Although no direct correlation was observed between PASI score improvement and UVB dose, the sun exposure improved the vitamin D, lipid and carbohydrate status of the patients. The serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] increased from 57.2 +/- 14.9 nmol/L before therapy to 104.5 +/- 15.8 nmol/L (P < 0.0001) after 15 days of sun exposure; the serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D] increased from 146.5 +/- 42.0 to 182.7 +/- 59.1 pmol/L (P = 0.01); the ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased from 2.4 to 1.9 (P < 0.001); and the haemoglobin A(1)c (HbA(1)c) levels decreased from 5.6 +/- 1.7% to 5.1 +/- 0.3% (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Climate therapy with sun exposure had a positive effect on psoriasis, vitamin D production, lipid and carbohydrate status.

Survey of the cosmetic use of lasers and other strong optical radiation sources.

A survey was undertaken regarding the extent to which optical radiation is used in cosmetic treatments and the compliance with national regulations. Questionnaires were sent to 65 clinics, and 23 of these were later inspected. Only one of 41 class 4 lasers had been reported to the authorities according to the regulations prior to the survey. Among sources other than lasers, intense pulsed light (IPL) sources were the most frequent. Although qualified health personnel should be in charge of the treatment, it was observed that 30% of the clinics did not fulfil this requirement. Deviations with respect to personnel training, availability of written procedures, protective equipment and warning signs were frequently observed. The results give rise to concern about the safety of patients and employees.

In vivo spectroscopy of jaundiced newborn skin reveals more than a bilirubin index.

AIM: The aims of this study were to improve the algorithms for calculating a transcutaneous bilirubin index (TcB), to follow the bilirubin concentrations during phototherapy and to evaluate possible changes in skin optical parameters such as pigmentation and erythema during phototherapy. METHOD: Reflectance measurements were performed on 51 jaundiced newborns, of which 10 were subjected to phototherapy. The measurements were collected with a diode array spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere accessory, and a TcB was calculated from the measured spectra using algorithms based on diffusion theory. The newborns' birthweights were > or = 2000 g and their gestational age was > or = 35.5 wk. They had no substantial illnesses, and no newborns were submitted to the study until their second day. Heel prick blood samples were analysed for total serum bilirubin (Sbr) by the diazo reaction method. Phototherapy equipment was either an overhead lamp or lightbed. RESULTS: Measurements from the forehead gave the best correlation between TcB and Sbr (r = 0.81, p < 0.05). However, during phototherapy no significant correlation between TcB and Sbr was observed. A correlation (r = 0.45, p < 0.05) was found between phototherapy and melanin index obtained from the patients' back. CONCLUSIONS: Reflectance spectroscopy is useful in assessing bilirubin concentrations before phototherapy, and can also reveal changes in skin parameters such as pigmentation occurring as a result of phototherapy.