Tanning and solariums

Solariums use ultraviolet (UV) radiation to give people a tan. The levels of UV radiation emitted can be up to three times as strong as the midday sun.

A tan is not a sign of good health. A tan is a sign that the skin is getting UV radiation damage.

Any UV radiation exposure that causes your skin to tan adds to your total lifetime dose of UV and increases your skin cancer risk – even without burning.  A sunburn or a tan is a sign of your skin cells in trauma.

There is no such thing as a safe tan. Research shows that people who use a solarium before the age of 35 have a 75% greater risk of melanoma than those who do not use solariums.

If you must have a tan, then use fake tan, but remember that sun protection is still required.

Download Solariums and tanning [pdf 99K] for more information about tanning, solariums, the responsibilities of solarium operators, the health hazards of solariums and fake tanning options.

Solariums:  Fashion to die for

The Fashion to die for campaign is designed to highlight the dangers of using solariums.

Developed by Cancer Council Victoria, the campaign targets 18 to 30-year-old women, who are the biggest users of solariums.  It tells some personal stories from girls who have used solariums and outlines the myths and facts about sunbeds.

The campaign ran once again in November and December 2009.   To see the campaign materials and find out more about the dangers of using solariums, download the Fashion to die for brochure here (pdf 11.4MB).

FAQs about solariums

Read and dispel the many myths about solariums.

Solarium standards

Find out what the new solarium regulations mean for operators and customers.

Personal stories

What price would you pay for a tan – your life? Read about Kate McCammond who thought solariums were safe until diagnosed with a stage 4 melanoma and Saffron Styles who never expected that using a solarium would give her a melanoma as well as a tan.

• Email this page
• Print this article