Tanning salons are now open in Scotland - here are the new safety measures in place

A number of beauty services have been halted in Scotland during the lockdown period, including nail treatments, waxing and tanning salons (Photo: Shutterstock)A number of beauty services have been halted in Scotland during the lockdown period, including nail treatments, waxing and tanning salons (Photo: Shutterstock)
A number of beauty services have been halted in Scotland during the lockdown period, including nail treatments, waxing and tanning salons (Photo: Shutterstock)

A number of beauty services have been halted in Scotland during the lockdown period, including nail treatments, waxing and tanning salons.

But are tanning salons now open again? Here’s what you need to know.

Are tanning shops open?

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It’s good news for those who love to tan, as tanning salons in Scotland are now open.

However, other beauty salons, including those offering nail treatments and waxing, won’t reopen until Wednesday 22 July.

The Sunbed Association posted on Twitter to say, “So great that tanning salons can re-open in Scotland a week earlier than beauty & nails, thanks to the lobbying efforts of #SunbedAssociation & support of #ScottishGovernment - we are, after all, non-contact. Good luck to all our members - we know you are ready, willing & able!”

A number of new safety measures will be in place to keep both customers and staff safe.

New safety measures in place

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The Scottish Government website explains that guidance has now been developed for close contact services.

This applies to retail services including the following types of businesses:

  • hairdressers and barbers
  • spas
  • sunbed salons
  • tattoo artists
  • indoor photography studios
  • tailors
  • shoe fitters
  • specialist close contact counters within stores such as make-up counters

The UK Government has published Guidance for Close Contact Services, which has been developed in consultation with the Scottish Government, and should be referred to by the above businesses.

The main points of the guidance explains that businesses should:

  • encourage clients to use hand sanitiser or handwashing facilities as they enter the premises or before treatment
  • calculate the maximum number of clients that can reasonably follow social distancing guidelines and limiting the number of appointments at any one time
  • when booking an appointment, ask the client if they can attend on their own, where possible
  • remind clients who are accompanied by children that they are responsible for supervising them at all times and should follow social distancing guidelines
  • operate an appointment-only system
  • maintaining social distancing in waiting areas when clients wait for their appointments
  • when waiting areas can no longer maintain social distancing, consider moving to a ‘one-in-one-out’ policy
  • encourage clients to arrive at the time of their scheduled appointment
  • Covid-19 related screening questions to be asked of clients ahead of their appointment, including:Have you had the recent onset of a new continuous cough?Do you have a high temperature?Have you noticed a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell?
  • if the client has any of these symptoms, however mild, they should stay at home and reschedule their appointment
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Gov.scot notes, “The Scottish Government support the measures above and we have also developed an additional checklist that should be considered by close contact business owners as part of a risk assessment.”

Risks of using sunbeds

The NHS explains that “sunbeds give out ultraviolet (UV) rays that increase your risk of developing skin cancer (both malignant melanoma and non-melanoma). Many sunbeds give out greater doses of UV rays than the midday tropical sun.”

The risks are greater for young people. Evidence shows:

people who are frequently exposed to UV rays before the age of 25 are at greater risk of developing skin cancer later in lifesunburn in childhood can greatly increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life

Alongside sunbeds, sunlamps and tanning booths also give out the same type of harmful radiation as sunlight.

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The NHS notes that using a sunbed to get a tan may even be more harmful than the sun, depending on factors such as:

  • the strength of UV rays from the sunbed
  • how often you use a sunbed
  • the length of your sunbed sessions
  • your skin type – for example, whether you have fair or dark skinyour age