Tanning salons in southwest Poland: a survey of safety standards and professional knowledge of the staff.
BACKGROUND
Nowadays, sunbeds are very popular worldwide; however--in the majority of countries, including Poland--there are no general guidelines and/or regulations for sunbed usage.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate tanning salons in southwest Poland, paying special attention to safety regulations and basic professional knowledge of the staff members of these units. The hypothesis was put that tanning salons offer better skin and eye protection if their employees are more educated.


METHODS
Fifty-five sunbed units were visited by the investigators, acting as potential clients. Information was obtained from the staff members in response to previously designed questionnaire.


RESULTS
Employees of 41.8% of sunbed units had adequate knowledge of radiation used in their establishments. Goggles were provided in 72.7%, sunglasses in additional 25.5% of salons. Lotions with sunscreens were available in 41.8% of units. Brief medical history of the client was taken in 20% of units. No dermatological examination was performed. Tanning salons, where employed staff were well-orientated in ultraviolet radiation emitted in their units, significantly more frequently recommended usage of goggles and sunscreens (P = 0.0037 and P = 0.0033, respectively). Moreover, in these establishments sunscreens were more commonly available (P = 0.0029).


CONCLUSIONS
The knowledge of staff members of tanning salons is poor and the eye and skin protection is not enough. The results point out the importance of the knowledge of the staff members in providing skin and eye protection.
Szepietowski
Jacek C
JC
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Medicine, Wroclaw, Poland. jszepiet@derm.am.wroc.pl
Nowicka
Danuta
D
Soter
Katarzyna
K
Strzelecka
Ewa
E
Kozera
Marzena
M
Salomon
Joanna
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001505:Beauty Culture; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D004522:Educational Status; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D011044:Poland; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011835:Radiation Protection; D012449:Safety; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013472:Sunlight; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
D013473:Sunscreening Agents