How many Australians are tanning?

She said Cancer Council researchers found half of Australians were using three or more forms of sun protection when exposed to sun during peak UV-radiation periods, and young people were less likely to use adequate sun protection.

They are protective clothing, using broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF-50 or SPF-50+ sunscreen, wearing a broad-brimmed hat, seeking shade and wearing sunglasses.

‘Tanned skin is damaged skin’

“UV radiation causes melanoma and other cancers, eye damage, and also premature ageing. I think that’s a message that seems to be lost among these young people.”

Concern over collariums

“We know that devices emitting UV radiation for the purpose of tanning is not healthy.”

Exposure to UV radiation can cause skin damage (including skin cancer), eye problems, immune system damage, and premature aging. Source: SBS News

While commercial solariums have been banned for the past decade, private ownership and personal use of solariums remains legal and unregulated.

Prior to the commercial solarium ban, it was estimated that each year more than 2,800 skin cancer cases and 43 melanoma-related deaths were attributable to solarium use.

‘Get to know the lumps and bumps on your body’

The rate of non-melanoma skin cancers has almost doubled in the last 20 years.

 Skin checks can be reimbursed on Medicare and provided by GPs.