Tantastic guide to the rules
How old do you have to be to use a sunbed?
Updated 31 October 2026 · Conisbrough, Doncaster
- Minimum age
- 18
- Law in England and Wales
- Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010
- Who has to comply
- The sunbed business
- New rules for England
- Proposed, not yet law
You have to be 18. In England and Wales, the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 makes it the job of anyone running a sunbed business to make sure nobody under 18 uses a sunbed on its premises. The government says the same ban applies throughout the UK.
What the law says today
Section 2 of the Act gives a sunbed business three duties. It has to make sure that:
- nobody under 18 uses a sunbed on its premises
- nobody under 18 is offered the use of one there
- nobody under 18 is in a restricted zone, meaning the room or reserved space where a sunbed is, unless they're there working for the business
That last duty is the one that catches people out, because it covers friends and younger brothers and sisters too. A business that fails in any of the three commits an offence and can be fined.
The Act does have an exemption for medical treatment, but it's narrow: treatment under a doctor's supervision or direction, on a dedicated sunbed in or provided by a healthcare setting. A high street tanning salon doesn't come into it.
The law now and the 2026 proposals
In May 2026 the Department of Health and Social Care launched a consultation on tightening the rules in England. It closed on 14 August 2026. These are proposals: on 31 October 2026 gov.uk showed no published outcome, so none of the right-hand column is law yet.
| Topic | Law in England today | Proposed in the 2026 consultation |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 to use a sunbed on a business's premises | Stays at 18, with age checks added |
| Proving your age | The business must keep under-18s out. The Act doesn't require a set ID check | ID checks before sunbed services are sold |
| Supervision | Not required by the Act | Businesses must supervise sunbed use |
| Buying or hiring a sunbed | The Act's ban covers use on business premises | No sale or hire of sunbeds to under-18s |
| Health risk information | Not required by the Act | Clear information before sunbed services are sold |
| Protective eyewear | Not required by the Act | Must be provided and, so far as reasonably practicable, used |
| Advertising | Not covered by the Act | No promoting unproven health benefits |
Sources: Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 and the DHSC consultation document, both read on 31 October 2026.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The under-18 ban covers all four nations. The consultation document says Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already require age checks, supervision and clear health risk information, and that Wales and Northern Ireland also require protective eyewear. If you're reading this from one of those nations, check the rules there. We're in Conisbrough, so this page goes by the law in England.
Coming to Tantastic
Our sunbeds are for over-18s only. If you're 18 or over and it's your first time, your first visit covers what to ask at reception, and the price list shows what things cost. Anything we haven't answered, Ask Tantastic or get in touch.
Being old enough doesn't make a sunbed risk-free. UKHSA advises against the cosmetic use of sunbeds. For questions about your own health, speak to your GP or pharmacist.
Quick answers
Can I use a sunbed at 16?
No, not in a salon. The minimum age is 18, whatever the type of sunbed business.
Can a parent give permission for me to use one?
No. The Act puts the duty on the business to stop under-18s using a sunbed, and it has no exception for a parent's permission. The exemption it does contain is for medical treatment.
Can my friend who is under 18 come in with me?
Not into the sunbed room. Under-18s can't be in the room or enclosed space where a sunbed is, unless they're working for the business.
Are the new ID rules law yet?
No. The government consulted on them for England until 14 August 2026. On 31 October 2026, gov.uk had not published an outcome.