Sunbed eye protection: a practical guide for salons

Suitable eye protection belongs in every UV sunbed session. Provide protection suitable for the equipment, explain how to fit it and follow the sunbed and eyewear manufacturers' instructions. Closing your eyes is not a substitute.

This guide helps your team answer common questions and check its routine. Eye protection does not make UV tanning risk-free. UKHSA advises against using sunbeds for cosmetic tanning.

Why is eye protection essential?

HSE identifies eye irritation or conjunctivitis as short-term effects, and cataracts as a long-term effect, where suitable goggles are not worn. Protection is a precaution against UV exposure, not a guarantee against harm.

Keep the equipment instructions available and train your team to explain them. HSE recommends providing adequate eye protection for customers and for staff maintaining equipment; staff must also follow the equipment's maintenance precautions.

What should your team check?

• Confirm the eyewear is intended for the particular UV tanning equipment. A product name, dark lens or catalogue photograph does not establish suitability.
• Show the customer how to fit and retain that design, following its instructions. Check it covers the eyes and stays in place; do not assume every design uses a strap.
• Check lenses, frames and retaining parts for damage. Remove unsuitable or damaged protection from use and follow the manufacturer's replacement directions.
• For reusable eyewear, follow its approved cleaning, disinfection, drying and storage directions. Confirm cleaner compatibility and any specified contact time; do not invent one method for every product.
• For single-use eyewear, follow its fitting directions and use a fresh pair as directed. Do not assume disposable eyewear is sterile. Do not reuse eyewear labelled for single use.
• Explain the equipment controls before exposure so the customer does not need to remove protection to find them.

If the eyewear cannot be fitted correctly, resolve that before the equipment is used. A visual condition check does not verify the UV filtering performance.

Questions customers ask

Can I use a sunbed without goggles if I close my eyes?

No. HSE's customer poster says closing your eyes or using cotton wool does not replace suitable eye protection. Wear the protection specified for the equipment throughout UV exposure.

Can sunglasses or contact lenses replace sunbed goggles?

Do not use them as substitutes for the protective goggles required by the sunbed. Follow the equipment and eyewear instructions; ask about the exact product if you are unsure. This is not advice about whether an individual should remove contact lenses.

Will I be able to see through the protection?

Visibility depends on the eyewear design. Some manufacturers describe see-through products, but that does not apply to every pair. Explain the controls before the session and follow the supplied directions; do not remove protection during UV exposure to read them.

What about eyelash extensions?

Correct fit and eye coverage come first. Ask the eyewear supplier about the exact product and its fitting instructions. Wink-Ease LashRoom is a distinct design intended to accommodate longer lashes; that does not mean all Wink-Ease products are LashRoom or guarantee compatibility with extension adhesives.

What about tan lines?

Do not remove or move eye protection during UV exposure to change the cosmetic result. Choose a suitable design and use it as instructed. We do not promise that eyewear prevents tan lines.

How should reusable goggles be cleaned?

Use the manufacturer's approved procedure for that eyewear, including disinfection, drying and storage. Follow any specified contact time and replacement criteria. Do not reuse products labelled for a single use.

Find eye protection and ask about the instructions

Browse goggles and eye protection, including Sunbed Goggles and Wink-Ease.

Before choosing, confirm suitability, fit, cleaning and replacement instructions for your salon's equipment. Catalogue links show the range; they do not certify every product for every sunbed. Ask our team about eye protection.

Guidance behind this guide

Read HSE's operator guidance, HSE's customer poster and UKHSA's sunbed safety advice. Always follow the actual sunbed and eyewear manufacturers' instructions. HSE's currently linked publications date from 2010/2011; this guide does not present them as newly revised guidance.