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Study · Not a test of the peptide alone · 2025

1 result

A single-centre, prospective, qualitative analysis of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of sunbed use among patients attending a pigmented lesion clinic in a tertiary referral centre.

Lai FY, Quigley C, Murray G, Gordon A, Yong JF, Yoo H, Howard-James C, Impey K, Blake C, Tobin AM

Skin health and disease6 May 2025

PMID40584950 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC12202866 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1093/skinhd/vzaf014 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-40584950
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Summary

BackgroundIndoor tanning through sunbeds is linked to a heightened risk of skin cancers, particularly cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, with significant increases in risk for users aged < 35 years. Despite regulations established by the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 in Ireland, sunbed use persists, primarily for cosmetic reasons.ObjectivesTo analyse the characteristics, attitudes and behaviours of sunbed users attending an Irish dermatology outpatient clinic.MethodsWe undertook a prospective qualitative analysis of 104 consecutive patients attending a pigmented lesion clinic in a tertiary referral dermatology department in Ireland. This was done using a self-reported anonymous survey where respondents answered questions relating to their own demographic data, frequency of sunbed use, motivation for sunbed use and use of unregulated tan-enhancing agents (namely Melanotan I and II).ResultsThe results showed that patient demographics were consistent with previous studies on sunbeds use, namely younger female patients living in urban areas. Many sunbed premises did not comply with safety regulations; over half lacked protective goggles, and nearly half received no health risk information. The reasons for sunbed use included improving appearance and confidence, with a significant number using tan-enhancing agents. Surprisingly, increased awareness of health risks did not correlate with reduced usage; many users continued tanning practices despite concerns about its adverse effects. Users of tan-enhancing agents also used sunbeds more frequently compared with nonusers.ConclusionsThis study suggests a potential psychopathological aspect of tanning behaviours similar to addictive disorders like smoking and alcohol. Patients may benefit from psychological and behavioural interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy to address their compulsive behaviour. Furthermore, there was a concerning lack of compliance with regulations in tanning salons, highlighting a public health issue. The rising use of unregulated tanning agents, especially among younger people, poses additional risks, including blood-borne infections. This study underscores the need for targeted educational interventions among younger age groups and stricter enforcement of regulations to mitigate health risks associated with indoor tanning. Understanding the complex motivations behind sunbed use is crucial for developing effective strategies to reduce its prevalence and promote safer alternatives.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study1

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).

  1. 01HumanNot a test of Melanotan I (afamelanotide) aloneObservational studyOther

    In patients attending a pigmented lesion clinic, users of tan-enhancing agents (Melanotan I and II) used sunbeds more frequently than nonusers.

    In plain wordsIn clinic patients, people who used tan-enhancing agents (Melanotan I and II) were linked to more frequent sunbed use than nonusers.

    Peptide
    Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
    Outcome
    IncreaseSunbed use frequency by tan-enhancing agent use
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Nonusers of tan-enhancing agents
    Outcome group
    Skin and hair · Skin and wound

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Users of tan-enhancing agents also used sunbeds more frequently compared with nonusers.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    This was done using a self-reported anonymous survey where respondents answered questions relating to their own demographic data, frequency of sunbed use, motivation for sunbed use and use of unregulated tan-enhancing agents (namely Melanotan I and II).

    In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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