Key points
• The lamps used in collarium beds emit ultraviolet radiation (UVR)
• Exposure to UVR emitted by a collarium increases your risk of developing skin cancer
• A collarium does not provide a “safe tan”
• Using a collarium will not protect your skin from damage due to sun exposure
• Commercial tanning services are prohibited by law in Australia.
What is a collarium?
Recently, modified versions of solaria (or sunbeds) have become available that claim to improve skin health and “stimulate” collagen. The name is a combination of collagen and solarium. These devices look similar to solaria, but with visibly pink/red light instead of the characteristic blue/purple colour traditionally associated with sunbeds. They are often promoted as being a “healthy” alternative to solaria providing a “safe tan”.
What is the issue?
Despite the appearance of emitting only red light, the lamps used in a collarium also produce UVR that is not visible to the human eye. UVR has been classified as a known carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
There is no such thing as a “safe tan”. Skin tanning is the result of over-exposure to UVR and is a clear sign that your body is trying to protect itself. Exposure to UVR from any source increases your risk of developing skin cancer.
The UVR produced by a collarium does not stimulate collagen or elastin production but in fact breaks it down and may lead to more rapid skin-aging (wrinkles) and skin cancer. People of all skin types are at risk of skin damage, premature ageing and skin cancer from exposure to UVR.
What should you do?
ARPANSA advises that people should not be using collarium beds or similarly marketed devices which expose them to harmful UVR as such products increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
