All About Tanning Bed Bulbs!

A tanning bed is thought to be only as good as its tanning bed bulbs.

There are many different kinds of brands and intensities of bulbs that are used to line tanning capsules and booths. Many units come with manufacture's directions that recommend which tanning bed bulbs best suit the operation of the machine. For instance, not all tanning beds are equipped to use both UVA and UVB ray bulbs. Many newer tanning beds use bulbs that emit UVA rays only.

The average life of a tanning bulb is estimated to be between 800 to 1000 hours but this longevity may vary depending on whether or not you purchased discount bulbs or used bulbs. Tanning bed bulbs operate at their peak strength for the first 150 to 200 hours of use. After that, the strength of the bulb is thought to drop in intensity until they are devoid of tanning power.

Owners of commercial tanning beds who want to continue to offer a quality service may want to consider changing their bulbs frequently so that their customers can consistently optimize their tan. It is also recommended that all of the bulbs be changed at once so that a customer does not achieve an uneven tan as a result of tanning bulbs operating at varying strengths.

The rule of thumb is "the newer the tanning bulb", the better the tan. This is also true for consumers who might want to ask salon owners how frequently the bulbs are changed in their tanning beds. Tanning-bed bulbs are long fluorescent tubes that contain inert gases. Their surface is coated with phosphorus and traces of mercury. Electricity ignites the gases in the tubes, which causes the mercury atoms to release energy in the form of ultraviolet light. The amount of UV rays that a person is

Here's where to find more information on tanning bed bulbs.