About Home Tanning Beds

Archive for the ‘Need To Know Information’ Category

In order to reduce the present epidemic of skin cancer, medical groups, as well as physicians and other health care providers, have participated in campaigns to inform people of the dangers of UV rays. In fact these health care providers have instituted worldwide campaigns to encourage people to decrease their excessive exposure to ultraviolet light, thus reducing the current epidemic of skin cancer. Overall these efforts have succeeded in educating the public, as evidenced by surveys that have been conducted on the subject. However, in spite of this increased public awareness that the effects of ultraviolet rays causes skin cancer, there are more people than ever tanning themselves both indoors and outdoors.

Many women have taken advantage of the effect of indoor tanning in order to achieve a tan in a short period of time. Often they do so because they have an upcoming special event to attend, such as a wedding or a vacation, and they feel that they look better with a tan. Many of the frequent visitors to tanning salons are young women who perceive a “suntan” as a social attribute. The disadvantages of achieving a tan from indoor and home tanning beds is that these young women have a greater risk of developing photo-aging and skin cancer that may not show up for many years. However, they are not looking at the long term effects, but merely the short term, which gives them their desired look immediately.

These circumstances merely increase the strength of the indoor tanning industry to market their services to the younger people and others who want to achieve a perceived beautiful “look” in a short amount of time. A tan may appear to give a person a healthy glow, which leads the tanning industry to make such ambiguous claims that indoor tanning is healthy, not harmless.

It is important that the tanning industry be regulated at the state and national levels in order to prohibit false claims from being made about their products. Health care providers should continue to participate actively in educating the public about the harmful effects of tanning, both indoors and out. They should especially focus their attention on young people, many of whom, do not think they need to be concerned about the harmful effects of tanning at such a young age.

Do not believe the ads that tell you that indoor tanning machines are safer than tanning outdoors. The truth is that tanning machines can damage your skin. The tanning process occurs as the skin produces extra pigment, or coloring, to protect itself from the burning effects of ultraviolet rays. Just like the sun, the indoor tanning devices emit ultraviolet rays. By subjecting yourself to these ultraviolet rays, your skin can become prematurely wrinkled, you may develop eye injuries, skin rashes and even skin cancer.

The tanning bed has become the most popular indoor tanning machine in recent years. It is a clamshell-shaped tanning bed, wherein the person lies down on a Plexiglas surface. The lights from both the top and bottom come on to “tan” the body.

The older versions of tanning machines emitted short-wave ultraviolet rays, (UVB rays) that caused burning. Once it was determined that UVB radiation was harmful, salon owners started using tanning devices that would emit long wave light sources (UVA rays). The claims that UVA rays are safe is actually not true, although they are less apt to cause burning than UVB rays. However, the effects of UVA rays has been known to contribute to malignant melanoma, as well as damage of the immune system.

There are many advertising claims regarding the use of indoor tanning devices that stretch the truth a bit, and some that are just plain false. Some of them are listed below.

By using a tanning bed, you can attain a dark tan year-round with mild, safe UVA light.

This statement is false in that the short-wave ultraviolet rays, which are UVB rays can burn the top layer of skin. The UVA (long wave) rays go deep into the skin which can cause the skin’s inner connective tissue to weaken.

In addition, if your skin is exposed to artificial sources of ultraviolet light on a long term basis, you are exposing your skin to the same risks as if you were exposed to the sun. This exposure can result in the development of skin cancer. If detected early, basal cell and Squamous cell skin cancers can be treated. However, Melanoma, can be fatal.

Since there is no harsh glare from the tanning beds, neither goggles nor eye shades are necessary.

Why would you even take such a chance with your eyes? It has been proven that too much exposure to UVA rays can harm the retina. In addition, too much exposure can burn the cornea and repeated exposure over a period of time may alter the structure of the lens. As a result, the lens may cloud, which can form a cataract, and if not treated, cataracts can result in blindness.

It is required by the Food and Drug Administration that tanning salons provide and inform their customers to wear eye goggles in order to protect their eyes from damage. A person cannot merely close his eyes, or wear regular sunglasses or cotton balls, as this is not sufficient to protect the cornea from intense UV radiation that is emitted from tanning machines.

Of course sunlight exposure over the long term may result in eye damage too, but people are usually more aware that their eyelids are burning when they are out in the sun, whereas, the skin stays cool to the touch with indoor UV lights. Thus, it is more difficult to tell if your eyes are burning. Tanning devices have the capability to cause even greater damage to your eyes because the intensity of the light is much greater than that of the UV rays in the natural sunlight.

You can tan year round without worrying about the harmful effect of the natural sunlight.

This statement is also false because exposure to the rays from tanning beds may exacerbate the damage caused by the sun. The sun is less able to heal after it has been exposed to the ultraviolet light, which thins the skin. Exposure to ultraviolet rays can also cause premature aging of the skin because skin that has been tanned is much more likely to wrinkle and sag than skin that has not been tanned. You may even notice the changes yourself if you have been exposed to the sun because with sun exposure over a period of time the skin will not look as supple and will not heal as quickly. You may have noticed middle aged women who have dry, wrinkled, leathery skin. Well, most likely this is due to overexposure of the sun during their youth.

There is no danger of exposure or burning from tanning beds.

This is certainly a false statement because it does not matter whether you tan inside or outside, the combination of ultraviolet rays, along with certain medications, such as birth control pills or cosmetics and soaps may increase sunburns or cause skin reactions such as rashes. Tanning devices may also cause skin sensitive disorders such as cold sores

When the tanning beds were first manufactured in the U.S., they were not designed and built as well as those in Europe, and the US fell behind in the technology of the tanning beds. One reason for this is that they were not as well researched as those in Europe.

The early indoor tanning beds that were manufactured in the US emitted high levels of UVB light. The UVB light is what increases the skin’s production of melanin. This characteristic could be harmful in that it can cause sunburn and other skin disorders if not controlled. However it is also the substance that creates a suntan.

These early tanning beds manufactured in the US were highly criticized by the medical community, especially dermatologists. This created the need for further research within the tanning industry which lead to the development of tanning beds that use lamps with higher percentages of ultraviolet A (UVA) light. This would allow a person to tan with a decreased risk of sunburn.

The tanning industry then proceeded to change the lamps in tanning equipment so that there would be higher percentages of UVA than UVB. This resulted in better tanning beds that could provide tanners with healthier tans with a decreased risk of sunburn or skin damage. The tanning beds that were created 30 years ago have now undergone years of testing and transformation to enable them to be better equipped and safer. Therefore, tanners as well as tanning salon owners, reap the benefits of what has been tested over the past 30 years. As a result, today’s tanning beds provide a safer, more comfortable and more efficient way of tanning, without burning. And there will probably be even more positive results in the future with further research and development in the tanning bed industry.

The indoor tanning machines were developed as a part of medical research many years ago, as is the case for numerous technologies that we utilize on a daily basis today. A German company by the name of Heraeus developed the first UV indoor tanning lamp back in 1903. It was invented for the purpose of helping to cure patients of diseases such as ricketts. The purpose of the tanning lamp was to encourage the development of calcium to enhance bone strength.

More recent scientific research substantiates Heraeus’s invention since the value of sunlight in manufacturing vitamin D in the body is well known. We are also aware that one of the effects of vitamin D on the body is that it helps the body absorb calcium.

In the 1970′s a German scientist by the name of Friedrich Wolff experimented with artificially induced indoor tanning light in order to determine how athletes could benefit from the exposure to sunlight. It was at that time that he noticed an appealing side effect, that of the golden glow of a healthy looking suntan. Of course, during that time, it was very fashionable and appealing for both men and women to achieve a healthy looking suntan. Therefore, Wolff put his knowledge to work and created the first indoor tanning beds; thus began a revolutionary new industry.

The first indoor tanning beds were mass-produced in Europe. The indoor tanning industry is very carefully regulated in Europe and has become a very respected professional industry.

You will want to try to find wholesale tanning beds if you are opening a new tanning salon or replacing tanning beds in your existing salon. The key to any successful business is the bottom-line. Therefore, the more you are able to save on tanning beds, the better off your business will be financially.

It is probably cheaper if you order many of the same indoor tanning beds (order in bulk). However, there are some reasons why you may want to consider diversifying your order. People who frequent the tanning parlors today are becoming very educated when it comes to their indoor tans; and they also want the best. For example, it may be to your advantage to purchase a couple of high pressure tanning beds along with the customary low pressure tanning beds.

Since it is probably advantageous financially to purchase in bulk, you may also consider partnering with other tanning salons in nearby areas to purchase high pressure tanning beds in order to obtain the volume discount. However, you probably should not consider partnering with a direct competitor for this purpose.

You need to know what your customers prefer. If an overwhelming majority of your customers are please with the effects of the low pressure tanning beds, you may not need to purchase the high pressure tanning beds. However, if the high pressure tanning beds are preferable by some individuals whose business you are hoping to gain, by all means, consider the purchase of at least one high pressure tanning bed. Remember, it pays to do your research. You need to know the tanning preferences of the individuals in your area.

Vertical tanning booths are actually better for delivering a perfect and even tan in just a few minutes. These devices are quite expensive, but are still considered the ideal home tanning solution. These types of tanning booths have major advantages because the tanning can experience a very quick tanning session, thereby reducing the total UV exposure time. Other advantages include: a uniform tan is achieved via this no-contact tanning session; and less pace is taken up with a vertical tanning booth.

Those persons who have very little free time can enjoy the little time it takes to achieve a tan. In fact, the tanning sessions may be as little as eight minutes, which is less than half the time as normal tanning beds. But the best benefit is due to the reduced UV exposure you will need in which to tan because of the shorter tanning session you need to achieve it.

Another benefit is that the no-contact tanning booth helps achieve a more even tan. The individual will not acquire any white spots as can occur from a tanning bed. These white spots are a result of the pressure points that may happen when your bones press the skin against the tanning bed. This reason for this occurrence is that the blood does not flow correctly during your tanning session and this reduces the ability of the skin to tan. There is no contact with vertical tanning booths; therefore, the pressure points cannot be produced.

The disadvantage with vertical tanning booths is that they are very expensive. Most people cannot or will not spend the money for the comfort of owning their own residential tanning booth. They can cost as much as $8,000. Therefore, it is only those serious tanners, as well as those who can afford them who will purchase these vertical tanning booths.

The tanning salons are determine to remain competitive due to the high customer demands. Therefore most salons are increasing their investment by purchasing the latest tanning equipment available. Many salons offer a choice between high-pressure and low pressure tanning beds.

This investment should certainly be beneficial for most tanning salons. By offering the latest versions of indoor tanning equipment, they can meet their customer’s demands and expectations. Many tanning salons now also offer spray tanning booths with the airbrush tanning systems.

Numerous tanning salons purchase their commercial tanning beds online from various merchant due the discount, especially when buying in bulk.

Since commercial tanning bed are designed to be used many times a day, even by as many as 40 (or even more) different customers, it is important that they are built and designed for such heavy use. Therefore, whether you currently own a tanning salon or are opening a new tanning salon, you will need to ensure that you have the highest quality and most efficient tanning beds available today. You must also be able to meet and satisfy the needs of your customers.

By selecting the proper commercial tanning beds for your salon, you will need to maintain a balance between satisfying your customers and satisfying your business needs.

You need to take into consideration the demands and needs of your customers in selecting your tanning beds. There are many features available with the more costly tanning beds. Some of those features include special technology for facial tanning, headrest reflectors, as well as a high-quality stereo sound system. From a business standpoint, you need to weigh the pros and cons of purchasing these extra features on your tanning beds. Determine if they are truly worth the cost. They probably are if you are going to lose customers to another competitor. However, if your customers are not really concerned with facial technology or the best stereo equipment, perhaps less expensive tanning beds will do just fine.

Some tanning bed features that you will want to consider from a business standpoint include the type of bulbs, the remote timing mechanism and the manner in which the tanning bed will need to be maintained. You should consider all of the options available with the tanning beds and purchase the type that will suit the needs of your salon as well as the needs of your customers. But most of all, you need to consider your budget.

It is not difficult to find replacement bulbs for tanning beds. When you need to replace your bulbs, you may choose the tanning bed bulbs that meet your requirements for tanning. You may choose tanning bulbs that tan you faster and darker, or you may decide that you prefer the type of tanning bulbs that your bed currently uses.

There are a variety of tanning bed bulbs from which to choose. Some companies that furnish tanning bulbs have lamp kits that are specifically designed to fit your particular indoor tanning bed. Review the information on the different lamp kits to select the feature that you desire; for example you may want facial tanning; arm and side tanning; a certain UVA-UVB ratio, etc. Place your order once you have chosen the lamp kit that best meets your needs; then the tanning bulbs will be shipped to you.

When it is time to replace your tanning bed bulbs, it is also a time to thoroughly inspect your indoor tanning bed. Check the lamp starters and other tanning bed elements to find out if they should be replaced. Elements such as the ballasts and lamp holders wear out over time so be sure to check those. It is also a good time to completely clean your indoor tanning beds. In fact, some companies that sell tanning bed products carry tanning bed rebuild kits specifically made to clean tanning beds which help keep them operating efficiently.

Two types of indoor tanning beds are typically found in tanning salons. They are high pressure tanning beds and low pressure tanning beds. The differences in the high pressure and low pressure beds are in the bulbs they use. Low pressure tanning bed use typical low-pressure fluorescent tubes, whereas high pressure beds use high pressure quartz lamps.

The UVA-UVB ratio comprises the main difference between high pressure and low pressure indoor tanning beds. A higher percentage of UVA is emitted from high pressure tanning beds, so the skin is able to tan six to eight times faster than with the low pressure beds.

The high pressure tanning bulbs stimulate melanin production by emitting a very small amount of UVB and a great deal of UVA. This process stimulates oxidation of melanin which is what gives individuals the deep golden tan. Another advantage of high pressure tanning beds is that they decrease the risk of “sun-burning” because it is the UVB which causes the sunburns.

High pressure tanning beds may seem to be preferable over low pressure beds. However, they are not used exclusively because some tanning experts believe that the higher ratio of UVA to UVB that they emit is not safe. The skin may still be damaged and some forms of skin cancer could occur with UVA, plus it can damage the elasticity of the skin.

Another reason that high pressure beds may not be used does not have anything to do with the benefits of obtaining a suntan, but the fact that high pressure tanning will not help with Vitamin D production. This is the only major health benefit of tanning. A higher percentage of UVB is needed to for Vitamin D production, which is delivered with low pressure tanning beds.

The most common beds in tanning salons are the low pressure tanning beds. Many tanning experts believe that the low-pressure tanning beds are the safer and healthier than their high pressure counterparts because they are more similar to natural sunlight. The features that make them so are their low pressure fluorescent tubes that have a UVA-UVB ratio very much like that of sunlight. Their usual low pressure bronzing bulbs emit a UVA to UVB ratio of 97-94% UVA to 3-6% UBA.

The main benefit that the low pressure tanning beds has over high pressure tanning beds is their higher UVB elements. The benefit of the higher UVB component is that UVB is vital for Vitamin D production, although on the downside, it is responsible for burning the skin. Vitamin D is essential for a person’s overall health in that it provides increased immunity to diseases and disorders such as heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis and cancers of the prostate, breast and colon.

The effect of the low pressure tanning beds are not as efficient as high pressure in that they take long for a tan to develop, which means they also require more tanning sessions to maintain an existing tan. UVA rays are the “tanning rays” and these rays oxidize the melanin in the skin that creates the healthy golden glow. The high pressure tanning beds contain a high UVA to UVB ratio that can produce a tan six to eight times faster than low pressure tanning bulbs. In addition, a tan that is produced from a high pressure bed is usually deeper and longer lasting since the reduced UVB rays do not dry the skin as much or cause it to shed or peel.