Potential UK Sunbed Ban

Expert Skin Advice in Marie Claire

Dr Ross Perry

Marie Claire’s feature ‘Fake It!’ looks at the potential ban of sunbeds in the UK.

Dr Ross Perry, GP and Medical Director/Founder of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, was invited to give his advice and opinion.

The article explains:

“Underneath that tan, the UV rays are causing genetic damage to your skin cells and increasing your risk of developing life-threatening melanoma cancer.

“Skin specialists, medical professionals and skin cancer survivors have all warned us to stop.”

There is no planned UK legislation to ban sunbeds, but other countries have already taken action. Brazil in 2009 and Australia in 2015. The British Skin Foundation found in 2019 that 77% of dermatologists supported a sunbed ban in the UK. The study suggested that it could prevent 10 million cases of skin cancer and save billions in NHS treatment costs.

Dr Ross Perry told Marie Claire:

“There should be much greater legislation and limits on using sunbeds. I would start by increasing the age limit to over 25 years.”

He explained how sunbeds were a risk to the skin:

“They increase the UV exposure to your skin, which damages the DNA and ultimately increases your risk of skin cancer.

“The more you use them – certainly at a younger age – the risk of developing skin cancer and premature skin ageing increases exponentially.

“People do not take the dangers seriously because you cannot always see the signs of sun damage straight away.

“The problems appear when you are 20-30 years down the line – but the damage has already been done.

“I absolutely do not advise anyone to use sunbeds. They don’t have any health benefits whatsoever and are detrimental to your health. There are more than enough good fake tanning lotions and skincare creams to give you an adequate colouration to make it look like you have got a tan.”

Symptoms of Skin Cancer

Marie Claire

After Love Islander Molly-Mae Hague revealed that she’d had a cancerous mole removed at the age of just 21, Marie Claire looks at how to spot the symptoms of skin cancer with expert input from Dr Ross Perry, who shared tips on how to check for suspicious moles at home. Ross explained

“It’s absolutely vital to be aware of the warning signs of a ‘suspicious’ mole. Everybody should regularly check the skin for new or changing moles, bearing in mind the following ‘ABCDE’ signs of melanoma skin cancer, which highlight the common warning signs:

• Asymmetry: These moles look a bit lop-sided. They are different shapes and/or sizes from left to right.
• Borders: Check the edges of moles. If they are uneven, scalloped or notched rather than smooth, then this might indicate an early melanoma.
• Colour: Moles should be a fairly uniform block of colour. Any variation within a single mole is another warning sign — those colors can include brown, tan, black, red or blue.
• Diameter: If the mole is larger than the size of a pencil eraser, then it is cause for concern. However, early melanomas might start out smaller than a quarter of an inch, so don’t discount any that are suspicious yet small.
• Evolving: Any moles which seem to be changing in size, shape, colour or height are deemed risky. Also watch out for itchiness, discharge, bleeding or crustiness.

Read this article at https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/life/health-fitness/symptoms-of-skin-cancer-716744

Mole Removal

Cosmedics Skin Clinics is a leading provider of mole removal procedures in the UK with clinics in London and Bristol, carrying out thousands of procedures. Consultations and mole removal surgery are carried out by experienced doctors who can remove moles same day using local anaesthetic to make the treatment completely pain-free.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics’ doctors are all trained in the latest methods designed for minimal-scarring results after healing.

Cosmedics also offer a top to toe mole check, which assesses every part of the skin to identify any potential issues.

MOLE REMOVAL

MOLE CHECK

Dr Ross Perry

Dr Ross Perry is Founder and Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics.

He qualified at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in 1994. His career includes NHS skin cancer reconstruction, work as a GP, as well as private cosmetic skin treatments.

He established Cosmedics Skin Clinics in 2003 and remains in charge as Medical Director. He is best known for dealing with unwanted skin lesions and blemishes (e.g. moles, cysts, warts skin tags) and natural-looking use of non-surgical cosmetic injections (BOTOX® Anti-Wrinkle Injections and Facial Fillers) as well as sun damage.

He regularly advises the press on health matters and has special expertise on matters relating to the skin.

DR ROSS PERRY

SKIN TREATMENT

Cosmedics Skin Clinics

Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical skin treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors.  The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their 5 skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.

Call 020 7386 0464 or email info@cosmedics.co.uk to book an appointment.