Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Put on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face and neckWear sun protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possibleSeek shadeWear wrap-around sunglassesApply SPF30+ broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen every two hours
PROTECT YOURSELF IN FIVE WAYS FROM SKIN CANCER

Solaria

Fact sheet on solaria

Solaria emit ultraviolet radiation (UVR) - both UVA and UVB.

Both these forms of ultraviolet radiation are known to cause cancer.

The more your skin is exposed to UVR the greater your risk of developing skin and eye cancers. Risk is increased whether the UVR is from the sun or from artificial sources such as solaria, sunbeds or sunlamps.

In Australia there is an Australian Standard (AS/NZS 2635: 2002) for Solaria for Cosmetic Purposes which sets the requirements for the installation, maintenance and operation of solaria.

It outlines to operators that they must:

  • Provide a consent form for customers to read and sign – outlining the risks of solarium use
  • Complete a skin assessment of all customers
  • Have a signed parental consent form for all customers under 18 years of age
  • Ban people from using a solarium who are under the age of 15 years
  • Ban people with very fair skin from using the solarium
  • Train all staff in carrying out skin checks and implementing the Standard
  • Not promote a solarium as a 'safe' or 'healthy' way to tan
  • Provide protective eye goggles
  • Maintain strict hygiene and maintenance controls
AS/NZS 2635: 2002 has been a voluntary code. The Victorian and South Australian Governments have introduced regulation of solaria, with other states indicating they intend to strengthen regulations. All jurisdictions, including the Commonwealth, are working cooperatively through the Radiation Health Committee of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) to put effective and consistent national regulations in place.

If you are considering visiting a solarium or using a sunbed, it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the risks associated with their use. The World Health Organization, the Australasian College of Dermatologists and the Cancer Council Australia do not recommend the use of artificial UV tanning devices for cosmetic purposes.

For more information about the risks of using solaria see The Cancer Council Australia (August 2007) Position Statement: Dangers of Solariums