Guide To Tanning Beds

The technology behind tanning beds (or solarium's) comes in two basic designs. The most common actually resembles a bed and takes the form of a clam shaped shell or capsule.

Inside the capsule, the client lies down on a sheet of Plexiglas through which shines ultraviolet rays emitted by bright UVA and/or UVB bulbs.

The second kind of tanning machine is not a bed at all but more like a booth. Often called, a 'stand up'. It is the same idea as a regular tanning bed, except a client steps into a vertical chamber. The intention of both these kinds of units is the same: to provide the client with an ultraviolet spectrum of rays that mimics the effects of the sun.

Tanning-beds come in two "strengths". A traditional or older bed boasts both UVA and UVB light bulbs. These are the same rays given by the sun. However, research has shown in the last decade that doses of UVB rays can be harmful, and many tanning salon owners have switched to offering beds that sport more UVA and less or no UVB rays. UVA rays are thought to be less harmful as they can penetrate the skin to the deeper layers without causing immediate, significant damage to the top skin layers.

Prolonged exposure to UVB rays can cause burns, cancer and damage to the immune system. Still the benefit of using a solarium, as opposed to sunning yourself outdoors is sessions can be compared to a safe prescription for ultraviolet light. It is not possible to control a dose of ultraviolet light when you sunbathe because of the weather, the time of day and seasonal conditions.

As tanning-beds emit the same rays as the sun, they aid the body in manufacturing vitamin D.

Although most people associate a solarium with a glamorous to-die-for tan, many individuals use a tanning salon bed to improve and maintain health. Sessions in a solarium are particularly helpful for individuals suffering from psoriasis and osteoporosis. Temperatures are can be about 100 degrees Fahrenheit and as a rule, nobody stays in a solarium more than twenty minutes. Certain tanning beds are manufactured with an built-in timing limit. For instance there is such a thing as a "ten-minute" or "12-minute" tanning session, or bed. It is called a ten-minute bed for a reason: when your time is up leave the bed or put yourself at risk for damage to your eyes, skin or immune system.

Sessions in tanning salons are regulated by government agencies in some states, and state-of-the-art equipment helps salon employees determine the length of time you may lie in the bed or stand in the booth. They should also ask you how dark you want your tan to be and suggest the number of treatments needed to achieve and maintain the desired effect.

Reputable salons will always offer you protective eye-wear, a health assessment, a choice of achievable skin-tones, lotions to prepare your skin for the suntan and soothe it afterwords as well as prescribe a program of action for you.

Have A Tip or Question On A Tanning Bed?

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Tanning bed bulbs won't turn on...

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Do I need to use different ...

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I'm going to try to get a tan in a tanning bed and I was wondering what you have to wear. Please write me back.

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Do I have to cover my nipples or it`s perfectly fine to be naked in tanning beds? Thank you.

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