Solarium tanning
Using a solarium for even a small amount of time can increase your chance of developing skin cancer.
To find out more about solarium tanning choose from the list below:
- What is a solarium and how do they work?
- Is it safe to use a solarium?
- What are the health risks of using a solarium?
- Regulation of the solarium industry in Western Australia
- Case study - Agnieszka's story
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 a pigment called melanin, which makes the skin looked tanned.
Tanning happens more rapidly from a solarium compared to normal sun tanning because solariums emit UV radiation that is up to five times stronger than the midday sun.
Is it safe to use a solarium?
The simple fact is that the more your skin is exposed to UV radiation the greater your risk of developing skin cancer - no matter what type of skin you have.
Solariums use artificial UVA and UVB radiation, and both are known to be directly responsible for causing skin cancer and prematurely ageing skin.
All types of UV radiation, whether from the sun or from a solarium can damage your skin and increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
What are the risks?
Skin damage and premature ageing
All forms of UV radiation cause premature ageing of the skin including wrinkles, blotches and sagging. Overexposure to UV can result in burning, blistering and in some cases permanent scarring of the skin.
Eye damage
Eye protection should always be worn in a solarium. If the eyes are exposed to UV radiation, the cornea and the conjunctiva may become inflamed and in some cases sight may be permanently damaged.
Exposure to UV radiation also increases your chance of developing cararacts and eye cancers.
People with fair skin
People with fair skin, who burn easily and do not tan through exposure to normal sunlight, will not tan in a solarium either.
Cosmetics and prescription medications
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.
Regulation of the solarium industry in Western Australia
In 2008, registration of all sun-tanning units which use UV radiation for cosmetic purposes in a commercial setting, became mandatory in Western Australia under the section 36 of the Radiation Safety Act.
The registered owner of a solarium must comply with the following conditions:
- No person under the age of 18 years is permitted to use a sun-tanning unit.
- People with Skin Type 1 (fair skin which always burns and never tans when exposed to UV radiation) are not permitted to use a sun-tanning unit.
- Protective goggles must be worn at all times while undergoing sun-tanning unit exposure.
- The client must be supervised by a trained operator.
- Every client must sign a consent form.
- Warning notices outlining these conditions of use must be placed within immediate view of every client.
For more information about the WA Safety Regulations Act contact the Radiological Council on (08) 9346 2260.
Case Study: 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.”
