Solarium tanning
What is a solarium and how do they work?
A solarium (otherwise known as a sunbed, sunlamp or tanning booth) uses electricity to produce concentrated artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Solarium users either lie down on a UV bed, stand in front of a panel or angle a sun lamp over their skin.
The UV radiation causes skin cells to make pigment or ‘melanin’, which makes the skin looked tanned. Tanning happens more rapidly from a solarium compared to sun tanning because of the high intensity of the UV radiation emitted.
Is it safe to use a solarium?
Some people believe solariums are a safe or ‘controlled’ way to tan. This is not true.
All types of UV radiation, whether from the sun or from a solarium contribute to skin damage and increase your risk of skin cancer.
Solarium tanning can be especially dangerous as solariums can emit UV radiation up to five times as strong as the midday summer sun.
What are the risks?
Using a solarium can cause:
burning, irritation, swelling, blistering and pain
premature ageing of the skin (wrinkles, blotches, sagging, thickening of the skin)
eye damage (such as cataracts and eye cancers) and
skin cancer
What else should I know about solarium tanning?
If you have fair skin that doesn’t tan in the sun, you won’t tan in a solarium either.
If you are under 18 and use a solarium, you are at even greater risk of skin damage. Studies show that UV radiation exposure in the first 18 years of life is important in determining lifelong skin cancer risk.
Some cosmetics and prescription drugs (such as antibiotics, drugs for high blood pressure, antidepressants, some medication for skin conditions, drugs that suppress the immune system and some anti-inflammatory drugs) can increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV radiation. Use of a solarium while using these products/medications may result in severe sunburn and/or an itchy and painful rash.
There is no regulation of the solarium industry in Australia, only a voluntary code of conduct developed by Standards Australia: AS/NZS 2635:2002. For more information on the Standard go to www.standards.com.au
Agnieszka’s story
Agnieszka Arto learnt the hard way that tanning in a solarium is not safe – she suffered severe burns after using a solarium in winter hoping to “brown up” for a party.
“I thought solariums were a safer way to get a tan than lying on the beach,” said 34 year old Agnieszka.
After her session she started to feel unwell and turned a ‘beetroot’ colour. By the next day she was so unwell she had to see her doctor who was appalled by the extent of her burns.
“My doctor gave me pain killers and even they didn't help. After a few days my skin was a mess, it was like I suddenly had the body of a 100 year old woman. I felt disgusting,” she said.
“But the worst part was when my doctor explained to me just how dangerous what I had been doing to my body could be later in life.“
"There is just not enough awareness of how harmful it can be, I mean this is something that increases melanoma risk, and melanoma can kill you. People need to know that.”
Click here to view the Channel Ten news story about Agnieska’s experience.Footage courtesy of Channel Ten.
More information
For more information on solarium tanning view our fact sheet or visit the Department of Health website
Vitamin D - finding the right balance
In Australia, a balance is required between achieving enough sun exposure to maintain adequate vitamin D levels while minimising the risk of skin cancer. Sensible sun protection does not put people at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
For more information click on the headings below:
What is vitamin D and why is it important?
How much sun do I need to maintain adequate vitamin D levels?
Who is at risk of vitamin D deficiency?
When do I need to use sun protection?
What is the SunSmart UV alert?
What is vitamin D and why is it important?
Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining healthy bones and muscles.
Vitamin D forms in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D can also be obtained from some foods such as oily fish, eggs and liver as well as margarine and dairy products fortified with vitamin D.
However the vitamin D obtained from food makes a relatively small contribution to persons overall vitamin D levels.
How much sun do I need to maintain adequate vitamin D levels?
Most people achieve sufficient vitamin D levels via sun exposure they receive through day-to-day outdoor activities without needing to seek additional sun exposure.
During summer the majority of Australians can maintain adequate vitamin D levels from a few minutes of sun exposure to their face, arms and hands or the equivalent area of skin, spread over a week.
In winter months in southern parts of Australia, where the UV radiation levels are less intense, people may need about two or three hours of sun exposure to the face, arms and hands or the equivalent area of skin, spread over a week to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.
In winter in northern parts of Australia, adequate vitamin D levels can be maintained through day-to-day outdoor activities, so it is not necessary to deliberately seek sun exposure.
Who is at risk of vitamin D deficiency?
Some groups in the community have a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency because their level of sun exposure is inadequate. They include:
naturally dark skinned people who need more UV exposure to produce adequate levels of vitamin D as the pigment in their skin reduces UV penetration;
people who cover their skin for religious or cultural reasons;
the elderly and people who are housebound or in institutional care;
babies and infants of vitamin D deficient mothers, especially babies who are exclusively or partially breastfed; and
patients with osteoporosis.
People in these groups should consult their doctor for advice on whether or not they need to take a vitamin D supplement.
When do I need to use sun protection?Sun protection is recommended when the UV index reaches 3 or above. UV radiation levels are higher in northern Western Australia compared to southern areas of the state. In some parts of WA sun protection is required all year round at certain times of the day. Take extra care to be SunSmart between the hours of 10am and 3pm when UV radiation is most intense.
What is the SunSmart UV alert?
The SunSmart UV Alert is issued when the UV index reaches 3 or above and indicates what times of the day sun protection is required.
The SunSmart UV index is located on the weather page of all Australian daily newspapers or on the Bureau of Meteorology website at www.bom.gov.au.
Site Map
Helpline 13 11 20
Donate Online
Contact Us
Site Map
Helpline 13 11 20
Donate Online
Contact Us -->
Copyright the cancer council wa 2008 Privacy Policy Disclaimer Website by Bam CreativeLast updated on Wed, 13 Aug 2008
