Woman links teenage sunbed use to melanoma as experts warn under-18 access persists

Emma Gannuzzi was 23 when doctors diagnosed her with melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, a condition she now blames on regular sunbed use beginning at 16.

Gannuzzi had used tanning salons from around 2005 to 2009, visiting up to three times a week in the month before summer holidays. The melanoma found on her stomach was removed when it was classified as stage 1A; a second stage 1A melanoma was removed six years later while she was pregnant. She now undergoes lifelong monitoring and says the experience has left her vigilant about any change in her skin.

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The case has drawn renewed attention amid data compiled by charity Melanoma Focus and Freedom of Information responses showing that commercial sunbeds remain accessible to children in some areas despite a statutory ban. The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 prohibits commercial use of sunbeds by anyone under 18 in England and Wales, but Melanoma Focus reported more than 200 cases of underage use disclosed through FOI requests to local authorities, including instances involving children as young as 10.

Melanoma Focus said survey data indicate more than a third of 16- and 17-year-olds admitted to at least one sunbed session a year, with 23 percent reporting monthly use. The charity also highlighted a discrepancy in self-reported use by sex: 40 percent of men and boys admitted to using sunbeds compared with 19 percent of women and girls.

Consultant dermatologist Dr. Conal Perrett of The Devonshire Clinic, which submitted FOI requests to local councils, said the dangers of artificial ultraviolet radiation are often underestimated, particularly for young people. "Teenage skin is especially vulnerable to UV radiation, making early exposure even more damaging," he said, adding that clinicians are seeing cases of severe burns, lasting skin damage and increased long-term cancer risk following sunbed use.

The World Health Organization classified artificial UV radiation as a Group 1 carcinogen, the agency’s highest category for cancer-causing agents, in 2009. Melanoma Focus cited research indicating that experiencing five or more severe sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 raises melanoma risk by about 80 percent.

Freedom of Information responses obtained by The Devonshire Clinic indicated that local enforcement of the age ban is inconsistent. In the five local authority areas reporting the most breaches, Melanoma Focus said only about 20 percent of salons had been issued fines. Some councils reported taking enforcement action, while others disclosed no successful prosecutions or penalties despite anecdotal reports of underage access.

Gannuzzi’s personal account underscores how quickly melanoma can be detected and treated when found early. She said she noticed a new mole while applying sunscreen three years after her initial sunbed use and sought a GP appointment; the lesion was removed the same day and later confirmed as melanoma. The second lesion was identified during a routine dermatology check while she was pregnant and was removed after the birth.

"Melanoma really is a life sentence," Gannuzzi said, describing ongoing anxiety and regular specialist check-ups. She said she feels guilt for having used sunbeds as a teenager and now educates her two sons about the risks.

Experts and campaigners have pointed to social media as a factor in the recent resurgence of tanning culture. Melanoma Focus warned that influencers promoting sunbed use for relaxation, vitamin D or a perceived healthier appearance may encourage young people to use solariums and underestimate the long-term risks. Professor Catherine Harwood, a consultant dermatologist and trustee of Melanoma Focus, said using sunbeds at any age can cause DNA damage in skin cells and that exposure during childhood is particularly hazardous.

The charity and clinicians have called for stronger enforcement of existing laws, improved public education about the risks of artificial UV radiation and a shift in attitudes toward tanning. They say clearer messaging is needed to counter social-media trends that frame tanning as a wellness practice.

Local authorities told The Devonshire Clinic and Melanoma Focus that responses to breaches of the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act vary by council and that resource constraints and competing enforcement priorities can limit action. Campaigners urged councils to prioritise inspections of commercial tanning premises and for industry operators to adopt stricter age-verification measures.

Gannuzzi said sharing her experience is intended to deter others from using sunbeds. "If sharing my story prevents young people from being convinced by a social media reel that they are safe, I’ll be happy," she said. Clinicians say early detection remains critical: when melanoma is found and treated before it spreads, outcomes are far better, but preventing early-life exposure to artificial UV radiation can substantially reduce lifetime risk.