No qualifications, no problem: Gold Coast influencer stirs controversy over tanning and fitness promotions

Gold Coast influencer and former Big Brother contestant, Skye Wheatley, has recently come under fire for promoting a controversial device.

Gold Coast influencer and former Big Brother contestant, Skye Wheatley, has recently come under fire for promoting a controversial tanning device, the collarium, and announcing plans to launch a fitness and diet program, despite not having any qualifications.

Gold Coast influencer Skye Wheatley. Picture: Instagram @skye.wheatley

The 29-year-old mum of two, shared a photo of herself on Instagram on Friday after a session with the collarium, a futuristic tanning lamp that claims to stimulate collagen production while providing a tan through UVA radiation without the burning effects of UVB.

“I wasn’t expecting to get any colour at all, I really want to try and improve my sleep apparently it helps with that hehe so will keep you guys posted,” her post read.

“I actually wanted to buy one for myself so I’m already sold.”

The post reached her 632,000 followers, many of whom criticised her for promoting a potentially harmful product.

One comment read, “You absolutely do not understand how skin cancer is caused. There is no level of ‘safe tan’. You’re not just sharing what you do, there are many impressionable ppl that you are reaching.” Another commenter stated, “It’s a tough one, but seeing people pass so young from melanoma because they see so many people sharing their exposure so it’s normalised, it’s best not to share it.”

Many of Skye Wheatley followers criticised her for promoting a potentially harmful product, the collarium. Picture: Instagram @skye.wheatley

Wheatley defended her decision to post her experience with the collarium, stating it was not a solarium and that the pressure on influencers to censor themselves was “insane.”

“Guys please understand what I used today WAS NOT A SOLARIUM HONESTLY how many times do I have to say et take it up with whoever made it legal if it’s such a problem,” she wrote.

“The pressure ya’ll put on people who are OPEN and honest about what they do in their day to day life (legit anyone with a following) is insane.”

Wheatley defended her decision to post her experience with the collarium, stating it was not a solarium. Picture: Instagram @skye.wheatley

This comes just day after Wheatley faced significant backlash from her followers when she hinted at creating a fitness and diet program.

She asked her followers about their daily caloric intake on Instagram Stories, which sparked criticism due to her lack of qualifications in the field.

Many followers were quick to voice their concerns, with one urging Wheatley to “stay in her lane” and to stop attempting to be a nutritionist or dietitian without proper qualifications.

In response, Wheatley maintained that she was “qualified” to help others feel comfortable in their own skin and boasted that she could potentially train someone to achieve better results than most personal trainers.

“Honestly I could train someone and get them better results than most PTs (personal trainers), just saying,” she said in an Instagram story.

Gold Coast influencer Skye Wheatley said she is "qualified" to provide fitness and nutrition advice to her followers despite having no formal qualifications. Picture: Instagram @skye.wheatley.

Skye Wheatley maintains that she is "qualified" to help others feel comfortable in their own skin. Photo: Instagram @skye.wheatley

Eating disorder survivor and accredited eating disorder coach Mia Finlay, criticised Wheatley for her brazen approach to promoting fitness and diet advice without qualifications.

“What this has the capacity to do is to embolden influencers to believe that if they can just, as confidently as Skye, state that qualifications aren’t important and they can just go ahead and launch products like this, I really believe that it can have a ripple effect,” she said in a YouTube video criticising Wheatley.

“The only person who is qualified to guide you on your intake is a registered dietitian, and the reason why you don’t see registered dietitian providing e-books, apps, blanket diet advice, cookie-cutter products, is because it’s unethical to do so.”