A new research has added another reason to stay away from sunbeds as it says that by using them there are more risks associated than the rewards.

According to scientists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa), tanning machines expose users to more damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation and less beneficial vitamin D than natural sunlight.

About 500 people were studied and the study was a part of an ongoing research to establish the relationship between past personal exposure to UV radiation from various sources that includes sunlight and vitamin D in the blood.

According to researchers, New Zealand summer sunlight was similar to the average UV index for the sunbeds. But the difference was that not much of vitamin D was made when a sunbed is used as compared to the natural light.

Dr Richard McKenzie, Niwa principal scientist in atmospheric radiation said, "More disturbingly, the intensity of radiation at some wavelengths from these sunbeds was several times higher than ever occurs in sunlight at the earth's surface. By using these sunbeds, we expose ourselves to unknown risks. Our skins may not be able to cope well with this sort of stress."