Leslie Massey
Commercial solariums have been banned in Australia since 2016 due to their link to skin cancer, eye damage, and premature skin aging. While it is still legal to own a solarium for personal use, underground solariums continue to operate illegally across the country. Western Australia has not issued any fines or conducted any investigations into illegal solariums, but with the rise of collariums—devices marketed as healthy alternatives to sunbeds despite emitting UV radiation—the enforcement of regulations against illegal commercial solariums is increasingly important.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commercial solariums banned in Western Australia | Yes |
| Commercial solariums banned in Australia | Yes, since 2016 |
| Commercial solariums banned in the Northern Territory | No |
| Private ownership of solariums banned in Western Australia | No |
| Private ownership of solariums banned in Australia | No |
| Concerns about the rise of collariums | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Commercial solariums banned in Australia
Commercial solariums have been banned in Australia since 2016. The ban was implemented due to the link between solarium use and skin cancer, specifically melanoma. Research by the Melanoma Institute Australia found that those who had used a solarium more than 10 times in their life had a seven-times increased risk of developing melanoma.
While commercial tanning salons are illegal, it is still legal to own a solarium for personal use. However, Cancer Council Australia, the Cancer Society of New Zealand, and the Australasian College of Dermatologists do not recommend the use of artificial UV radiation tanning devices for cosmetic purposes under any circumstances.
Despite the ban, there have been reports of underground solariums operating illegally across Australia. These illegal solariums are often advertised online and can be difficult to detect as they are often operated out of private residences.
While there is no "national call" by state and territory Cancer Councils for a ban on private solarium ownership and personal use, individual councils may seek a total ban within their own jurisdiction based on potential negative health outcomes.
In recent years, there has been concern over the rise of "collariums," which are marketed as a healthy alternative to sunbeds but still emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Experts warn that these devices are not safe and can cause skin cancer, eye damage, and premature skin ageing.
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Private solariums still legal
Commercial solariums have been banned in Australia since 2016. However, private ownership and personal use of solariums remain legal in all states and territories. While it is not illegal to own a solarium for personal use, the use of tanning beds in commercial settings is prohibited.
The legality of private solariums in Western Australia is a matter of ongoing debate. While there have been no investigations into illegal solariums in the state, as of 2018, the health impact of solariums in private homes is being monitored. The Cancer Council has stated that it will review its position if the health impact of private solariums becomes more apparent and is supported by sound evidence.
The lack of a national call for a ban on private solariums in Australia is notable, given the well-established health risks associated with their use. Research has consistently demonstrated the link between solarium use and an increased risk of skin cancer, specifically melanoma. Professor Anne Cust, a cancer epidemiologist, has emphasized that devices emitting UV radiation for tanning purposes are not healthy, contrary to marketing claims.
Despite the ban on commercial solariums, there is concern over the rise of rebranded solariums, known as "collariums." These devices are promoted as healthy alternatives to traditional sunbeds, but they still emit UV radiation, which is a known cause of skin cancer, eye damage, and premature skin aging. The emergence of collariums underscores the ongoing demand for tanning services and the need for education about the risks associated with UV radiation exposure.
In summary, while private solariums remain legal in Western Australia, the potential health risks associated with their use are significant. The ongoing monitoring of private solariums and the emergence of rebranded devices highlight the need for continued vigilance and education to protect public health.
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Solariums cause skin cancer
Solariums have been banned for commercial use in all states and territories of Australia since 1 January 2015, except for Western Australia, where the ban was introduced on 1 January 2016. This is because solariums are a source of UV radiation, which is a strong risk factor for skin cancer.
UV radiation is not part of the visible spectrum of light, nor is it thermal radiation. As our senses cannot detect UV, overexposure may damage our skin and eyes without our knowledge. Australia experiences some of the highest levels of UV radiation globally due to its proximity to the equator and frequent clear, blue-sky days. Solariums emit primarily UVA, with their UVB output equivalent to a high UV index of 12, similar to the midday summer sun in the tropics. An Australian study in 2008 found that some commercial sunbeds emitted up to six times more UVA than the sun.
Research has shown a clear link between solarium use and skin cancer. The risk of melanoma increases with each sunbed session, with a 1.8% increased risk for each additional session per year. A meta-analysis found that indoor tanning increased the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, with the risk particularly high for people who started indoor tanning before the age of 25. This risk is two-fold for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 1.4 times for basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
Indoor tanning is also associated with early-onset BCC, especially in females under 40. It is estimated that more than 40 million Americans develop pre-cancerous skin growths called actinic keratoses (AKs) each year due to indoor tanning. Tanning, whether indoors or outdoors, also causes premature ageing, with up to 80% of wrinkles and fine lines attributed to sun exposure.
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Solarium use in Western Australia
Commercial solariums have been banned in Australia since 2016, with the exception of the Northern Territory, which has no commercial tanning businesses. However, private ownership and personal use of solariums remain legal and unregulated in all states and territories. Despite the ban, there have been reports of underground solariums operating illegally across the country, including in Western Australia.
In Western Australia, there have been concerns about the illegal operation of commercial solariums. While there have been no investigations into illegal solariums in the state as of 2018, the Victorian Health Department has issued fines and seized tanning beds from black-market operators in other states. The biggest penalty was a $68,500 fine for a Melbourne business.
The use of solariums is controversial due to the associated health risks, particularly the increased risk of skin cancer and melanoma. Research by the Melanoma Institute Australia found that individuals who had more than 10 solarium visits in their lifetime had a seven-times higher risk of developing melanoma. Despite this, some individuals continue to use illegal solariums, acknowledging the risks but choosing to take them.
Cancer Council Australia, the Cancer Society of New Zealand, and the Australasian College of Dermatologists do not recommend using artificial UV radiation tanning devices for cosmetic purposes under any circumstances. While there is no "national call" for a ban on private solarium ownership and personal use, individual state and territory Cancer Councils can seek a total ban within their jurisdiction based on potential negative health outcomes.
With the rise of "collariums," experts are concerned about the potential for these devices to be marketed as healthy alternatives to traditional sunbeds. Collariums emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is known to cause skin cancer, eye damage, and premature skin ageing. Researchers from the Dermatology Research Centre at the University of Queensland have emphasized that all types of sunbeds, including those using only UVA, increase the risk of melanoma.
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Collariums: the new solariums
Commercial solariums have been banned in Australia since 2016, with the exception of the Northern Territory. However, there are concerns about the emergence of "collariums", which are being promoted as a healthy alternative to sunbeds, despite emitting ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Collariums are devices that emit both UV and red light. Operators of these devices claim that they provide a longer-lasting tan and stimulate collagen production, with sessions typically lasting between 10 to 20 minutes. While Australian sellers of collariums claim they are safe, cancer epidemiologist Professor Anne Cust warns that people should not be fooled. Cust explains that tans are the result of a response in the body to UV radiation, which causes the production of a substance to darken the skin in an attempt to protect itself from DNA damage.
Cust and Katie Lee from the Dermatology Research Centre at the University of Queensland have also written about the dangers of UVA exposure, which is a type of UV radiation that penetrates deeper into the skin. They explain that UVA exposure increases the risk of skin cancer by creating unstable compounds that react easily with cells and molecules, causing damage to cell membranes, protein structures, and DNA. Furthermore, their research found that all types of sunbeds, including those that use only UVA, increase the risk of melanoma.
Prior to the ban on commercial solariums in Australia, it was estimated that 281 new melanoma cases, 43 melanoma-related deaths, and 2,572 new cases of squamous cell carcinoma were attributable to solarium use in the country every year. With the emergence of collariums, there are concerns about the potential negative health outcomes, particularly in states such as Queensland, NSW, and Victoria, where collarium operators have been found.
While the private ownership and personal use of solariums remain legal and unregulated in all Australian states and territories, Cancer Council Australia and other health organizations do not recommend the use of artificial UV radiation tanning devices for cosmetic purposes under any circumstances.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, commercial solariums are banned in all Australian states and territories except the Northern Territory.
Solariums are banned in Australia because of the skin cancer and melanoma risk attached to their use. Research by the Melanoma Institute Australia found that those who had more than 10 solarium visits in their life had a seven-times increased risk of melanoma.
Commercial solariums were banned in Australia in 2016.
Collariums are a new device causing concern in Australia, as they emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation, despite being promoted as a healthy alternative to sunbeds.
The Cancer Council Victoria has an app called SunSmart that shows the real-time UV index for your location, so you can see when you should be applying sun protection.
