Using a solarium, sunbed or tanning bed to tan is not any safer than sun tanning. In fact, using a solarium can increase your risk of a melanoma because sunbeds also emit UVA and UVB radiation from above and below your body.
The Australian Standard for Solaria for Cosmetic Purposes restricts solarium operators from advertising their product as being safe, a safer alternative or healthy. In Australia, people under the age of 15 are not allowed access to solariums and people between the ages of 15 and 18 require parental written consent.
If you choose to use a solarium, know the facts. Solarium operators must provide you with correct information about the risks and ask you to sign a consent form before use. If you are unclear about the risks, or feel uncomfortable with what the operator tells you, it is strongly recommended that you choose not to use the solarium.
Related links:
Solarium Fact Sheet
Skin type
Skin Cancer Risk Quiz
Interesting links:
Clare's experience: www.clareolivermelanomafund.org
World Health Organisation: Artificial tanning sunbeds: risk and guidance: www.who.int/uv/publications/sunbedpubl/en/
Myth: "I need lots of sun to get Vitamin
D"
We all need Vitamin D for good health and the main source for Australians
is the sun. However, the vast majority of us will get all the Vitamin D we need,
not by tanning but just going about our normal daily activities while still protecting
our skin in the five ways below.
Top tips:
- Always protect yourself from the sun during peak UV periods (when the UV Index is 3 and above)
- In NSW from August to May, six to eight minutes of sun exposure to the face, hands and arms (15% of the body) on most days of the week at times when the UV index is below 3 (before 10am and after 3pm daylight savings time) is all the sun exposure a fair skinned person requires for vitamin D production.
- In June and July this may increase to 40 to 50 minutes.
- Short bursts of sun (outside peak UV periods) are better for making vitamin D than long periods, as the body can only absorb a set amount at a time.
- Your body can rely on its stores of Vitamin D for 30 to 60 days.
- Exposing your skin to the sun when the UV Index level is three or above increases your risk of developing skin cancer.
- Exposing yourself to ultraviolet radiation in a solarium is a not recommended and not an effective way to obtain vitamin D. It will damage your skin and increase your risk of developing melanoma.
- Look after your bones by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly and knowing when to protect your skin.
Protect your skin in five ways
- Seek shade – avoid sun exposure during the middle of the day (10am-2pm or 11am-3pm daylight saving time)
- Wear protective clothing that covers your skin, including your arms and legs
- Wear a broad-brimmed style hat
- Wear sunglasses
- Apply SPF 30+ broadspectrum, water-resistant sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours
Related links:
Vitamin D Fact Sheet
In a recent Cancer Institute NSW survey, 31% agreed that they feel healthier with a tan.
You may think you feel or look healthier with a tan but once you understand what is happening to your skin, you'll think again.
- Tanning is skin cells in trauma. In response to UV damage, skin cells produce melanin
to protect themselves. However, one damaged cell can start a deadly melanoma growing.
-
Too much UV exposure can result in structural
damage to your skin – in the short term, burning or scarring and in the long term
premature ageing or skin cancer.
It is best to understand your skin type and protect your body's largest organ.
Related links:
Tanning: skin cells in trauma
Understand the tanning process (see television commercial)
Interesting links:
World Health Organization: Sunbeds, tanning and UV exposure: www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs287/en/index.html
One reason melanoma is the most lethal of all skin cancers is because it need only be 1mm deep for cancer cells to burrow into your blood stream or lymphatic system and spread. Once they're circulating around your body they can reappear months or years later – often in your lungs, liver or brain.
What is a melanoma?
Interesting links:
Testimonials
Clare: www.clareolivermelanomafund.org
Myth: "Sunscreen's all I need"
The use of sunscreen is just one of the five skin protection measures you
should use every day. Look on it as an extra form of protection, not your primary
sun protection measure and certainly not your only one:
For sunscreen to be effective it needs to be applied 20 minutes before going out into the sun. A generous amount of sunscreen is needed however many people don’t apply enough. As a guide, about a teaspoon (5ml) is required for each arm, leg, front of body, back of body and half a teaspoon for the face. The average sized adult needs about 7 teaspoons for their whole body (35ml). Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours, whether or not the label says to do this. Sunscreen is easily wiped or washed off so reapplying is important. And check the expiry date; most sunscreens will last for two-to-three years.
- Use a SPF30+ broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen on all areas of exposed skin
- Apply at least 20minutes before going outdoors
- Apply generously (thickly) and don't miss areas such as behind the ears and knees
- Reapply at least every 2 hours, and after swimming. Sunscreen can be wiped off by
clothing, water, sand and rubbing
- Use water resistant sunscreen if you participate in water sports or sweat often.
- Ensure the sunscreen complies with the current Australian and New Zealand Standard
for Sunscreens (AS/NZS2604:1998)
Related links:
Sunscreen Fact Sheet
Interesting links:
There's a range of other websites you may also find useful.
World Health Organization: Sunbeds, tanning
and UV exposure
World Health Organization: Solar ultraviolet radiation: Global burden of disease
from solar UV radiation
Testimonials: Clare
Australasian College of Dermatologists:
A-Z of skin: Sun protection
There's arange of other websites you
may also find
useful.
World Health Organization: Artificial tanning sunbeds Risks and guidance
World Health Organization: Sunbeds, tanning and UV exposure
Testimonials: Clare
Testimonials: Steve
Australasian College of Dermatologists: Sun protection