With the arrival of the summer holidays, many families across Bradford will be either making the most of the British sun or going further afield in search of warmer climes.

But an eminent scientist at the University of Bradford has urged sun-seekers to beware of the harmful effects sunrays can have on unprotected skin.

And Professor Desmond Tobin, director of the university’s Centre for Skin Sciences, has also said there is “no justification” for tanning salons, which he says are trying to entice people through the door on the premise that they can help create vitamin D.

While skin does make vitamin D after being exposed to UV light, Prof Tobin said scientific opinion suggests this is a dangerous way of making the vitamin, which can also be sourced from food and supplements.

He said: “UV light is a carcinogen, so it has been known that UV light damages cells and can cause cancers.

“The advice over the last 20 years has been to protect the skin from the sun using sun screens and creams and to limit the time spent in the sun, particularly during the middle of the day.

“Tanning salons, in my view, should actually be shut down. You don’t need it for vitamin D and you don’t need it for a tan, because you can get it from bronzers or going out in the sun with protection.”

Prof Tobin was speaking to the Telegraph & Argus ahead of the an event called Your Skin And The Sun at the Centre for Skin Sciences during the British Science Festival next month.

The event will see Barbara Gilchrest, chairman of Dermatology at the Boston School of Medicine, dispel a few myths about this public health issue.

Prof Tobin said while we have always known the sun can improve people’s moods and help skin conditions such as eczema. It is also a main contributor to skin ageing and is associated with some cancers, including some of the more lethal ones such as melanoma.

He warned against the “obsession” in Britain with getting a tan in hot weather.

He said:“There’s something particular in Britain which is obsessive about over-indulgence in the sun, which increases the chances of skin ageing and skin cancers, which are rising dramatically.”

But he said it doesn’t necessarily mean people should be wary of going out in the sun at all.

“We know UV light will damage tissue, so it’s basically to protect against it, but having a mild tan because you have worn factor 20 to 30 factor is not a problem – it is the unprotected skin that is an issue.”

Sunbed Association chairman Gary Lipman said: “Sunshine is essential to good health and the skin reacts to ultra violet rays, whether from the sun or a sunbed, there is no difference.

“It necessarily follows that advice given for sunbathing in the sun, also applies to sunbeds.

“Responsible, moderate tanning, whether in the sun or on a sunbed, is healthy. As with most things in life, moderation is the key word.”

Twitter: @jamesrushTandA