Despite the risks, for many women a year round golden tan is a must have.

However, using sunbeds can speed up the ageing process by causing deeper wrinkles, sagging skin and droopy eyelids and can leave your skin's condition coarse and red.

Cancer Research UK found that UV rays on some sunbeds are 10 to 15 times higher than those in the midday sun. Spokeswoman Nina Goad said: "UV light makes the skin age prematurely by breaking down collagen and elastin, which give the skin its support.

"But wrinkles aren't the only downside of sun exposure. Others include general dryness, pigmented patches, sun spots or liver spots. However, the most serious repercussion of sun exposure is skin cancer".