Dangerous LED light therapy treatments known as ‘collariums’ are operating across Melbourne

“Futuristic” pink-bulb tanning beds — claimed to help stimulate collagen — have sprung up across Melbourne, while illegal solariums also continue operating, with apparent impunity.

Dangerous sunbed alternatives have prompted calls for authorities to crackdown on dodgy backyard solarium operators.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal LED light therapy treatments known as “collariums” are operating in dozens of Melbourne suburbs including Mt Martha, Dandenong and Oakleigh.

The pink-bulb tanning beds are dubbed as having “futuristic” qualities, with owners spruiking their “additional benefits” of collagen stimulation.

It comes after a three-month Sunday Herald Sun investigation revealed strict laws outlawing commercial tanning beds were failing, with dozens of illegal solarium operators booming across the city.

Despite this masthead uncovering the brazen misuse of potentially deadly sunbeds last week, more than 10 businesses have been caught continuing to flout the law.

Illegal solariums known as "collariums" are thriving in Melbourne suburbs.

The Opposition has also called for the state government to ramp up its enforcement, with only 20 people and one company being prosecuted by the Department of Health since 2015.

The Sunday Herald Sun has seen dozens of social media posts offering solarium and collarium sessions on Facebook and Instagram, which continues to be a haven for shoddy operators to advertise.

In one Facebook post, a backyard sunbed owner wrote: “Collarium located Mt Martha $25 as long as you want.”

In another post, a dodgy operator wrote: “Collarium canopy for use Glen Huntly 3163 DM.”

Several videos of sunbed users have also emerged on TikTok, with people seen openly bragging about using the cancer-causing devices.

Cancer Council Victoria head of prevention Adjunct Associate Professor Craig Sinclair said it was “concerning” businesses were putting profits above health.

“These underhanded tactics are being used to promote dangerous products, including rebranding them and using misleading language.,” Assoc Prof Sinclair said.

“Any therapeutic use in relation to light therapies needs to be under medical supervision and with medically approved equipment. “

Assoc Prof Sinclair said the state government needed to stay vigilant and prosecute illegal solarium operators who are in breach of current legislation.

“SunSmart and Cancer Council Victoria are deeply concerned by the impact of solariums on people’s health and the increased risk it poses to skin cancer.

“It is not surprising to hear very little effort is made by illegal operators to provide safety information as the health of the solarium user is not their priority.”

Dodgy operators are continuing to advertise illegal solariums.

Shadow Health Minister Georgie Crozier questioned what the Andrews Government was doing to protect Victorians.

“Victorians need to understand the risks of these sunbeds, we need stronger enforcement to ensure they’re not operating illegally,” Ms Crozier said.

Shadow Special Minister of state David Davis said the government needed to properly police the misuse of sunbeds.

“The Health Department has the responsibility to enforce the current law and they’re clearly not doing that,” Mr Davis said.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said commercial solariums posed a serious skin cancer risk and their use has been banned in Victoria since 2015.

“Since then we have seized and destroyed solarium beds across Victoria and prosecuted people for operating illegal commercial solariums,” she said.

“We will continue to crack down on any individual putting lives at risk by commercially operating these dangerous machines.”

Originally published as Dangerous LED light therapy treatments known as ‘collariums’ are operating across Melbourne