The Difference between UVA and UVB Tanning Beds

When you go into a tanning salon, you have several tanning choices. Whether it is your first time using a tanning bed or you are have used them a lot, it is important to know the difference between tanning beds. You can choose a UVA only bed or a few different UVA and UVB beds, depending on your tanning goals. Does this Spark an idea?

UVA versus UVB

Ultraviolet rays are forms of radiation from the electromagnetic spectrum, or the light spectrum. Ultraviolet rays are not as long as visible light, so you do not know you are being exposed. UVA rays are long rays that penetrate deep into the skin. They are 320 to 400 nanometers. UVB rays are short rays that penetrate only the outer layers of skin. They range from 290 to 320 nanometers. Both UVA and UVB rays penetrate the atmosphere and react with your skin causing it to tan or burn.

UVA Only Beds

UVA bulbs cause the production of melanin from melanocyte cells, deepening the color of your skin. UVA tanning beds are comprised of 100 percent UVA bulbs. If you want to get a quick tan, the UVA only beds will give you a tan in only three to five visits of 20 minutes. UVA tanning beds are more expensive per minute, however. These beds maximize your color, but you should already have a good base tan before using these beds.

UVA and UVB Beds

Tanning beds that are mixed are typically 93 to 99 percent UVA bulbs and one to seven percent UVB bulbs. The addition of UVB wavelengths can cause sunburn. To get a tan in a UVA and UVB combination bed, you must visit three to five times per week for 20 minutes each. Although tanning beds give off three times more UVA rays than the sun, they reduce the UVB exposure by 40 percent, according to Elizabeth Carruth of Vanderbilt University.

Dangers

Both UVA and UVB rays cause premature aging, skin cancer and damage to your eyes. Tanning beds compromise your immune system, so your body cannot fight off disease. UVA rays damage keratinocytes skin cells, the outer part of the epidermis, and do contribute to and may initiate skin cancer. Tanning beds emit UVA rays that are 12 times the intensity as the sun, so users are 2.5 times more likely to develop skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Because UVB rays are shorter, they cause superficial damage to the outer layers of the skin; however, they do contribute to both aging and cancers also. Tanning beds damage eyes through cataracts, macular degeneration and eye disease.

Tanning Bed Tips to Tan the Arms and Legs

Most people love the way they look with a tan, whether it's deep and dark or just a sun-kissed glow. If you don't have the time to lie outside in the summer sun or you want that tanned look during the winter, consider spending a few minutes in a tanning bed every week. You may opt to tan just your arms and legs if you don't plan on wearing a bikini or having your stomach show. Does this Spark an idea?

Preparation

Shower, exfoliate and moisturize before heading to the tanning salon. Exfoliating will remove any dead skin cells and allow your skin to tan faster. You shouldn't have perfume, deodorant or scented products on your skin. These may cause a rash when they mix with the heat from the tanning bed and your sweat. Apply tanning lotion to your arms and legs before getting into the tanning bed. Tanning lotions are designed to protect your skin from drying while helping you to get a deep tan quickly.

Time

Set a time limit that's long enough to tan but not long enough to burn. If your skin burns quickly when you're in the natural sun, you'll also burn when you're in a tanning bed. If you're new to tanning, start off with a short five minutes. If you're not prone to burning, you can start off at six or seven minutes. Gradually increase the length of time each time you visit the tanning salon.

Coverage

Cover the skin that you don't want to tan. If you're aiming just to tan your arms and legs, wear a one-piece bathing suit or wrap a towel around your torso as you tan. You may want to protect your face too --- you can put a hat or towel over your face as you tan. At the very least, make sure that your private areas are covered. The skin in these areas is extremely sensitive and can burn quickly.

Warnings

There are health risks that come along with using a tanning bed. If you're pregnant or on prescription drugs, you should consult a doctor before tanning indoors. Wear goggles while tanning to prevent damage to your eyes. If possible, bring your own goggles so you know that they're clean.

How to Find Tanning Bed Resale Prices

Self-tanning can be considered a controversial subject in some circles. For example, it is generally not recommended by dermatologists and other skincare professionals. However, if you have weighed the pros and cons carefully and consulted with a physician, you may decide that you want to use tanning beds on a regular basis. In this case, purchasing a resale, or used, tanning bed might make better fiscal sense than paying fees at local tanning salons. Does this Spark an idea?

Talk to the managers or owners at local tanning salons. When salons update their equipment, they may be willing to sell you the old beds. If they're not currently selling any beds, you can at least get an idea of the price they usually charge when they are selling.

Contact specialty retailers that sell tanning beds to consumers. Even if a location is far away from where you live, you can get a good idea of how much it will cost to get a resale tanning bed with the features and capacity you want.

Check for private sales of tanning beds in your local newspaper and on websites like Craigslist.org. By contacting people who are selling tanning beds by phone or email, you can get an idea of the price range they're selling tanning beds for. Sometimes, ads even include the asking price for the resale tanning bed.

Factor in other costs. For example, if you're planning on purchasing the tanning bed from somewhere far away or if you do not have a vehicle to transport it, delivery or shipping costs will need to be added to the purchase price.

How to Install a Remote Timer on a Stand Up Tanning Bed

A remote timer is an essential part of a commercial tanning bed. It allows the operator to control the bed remotely. Two types of remote timers exist; wired and wireless. Wireless remote timers are becoming more popular due to their ease of use and installation. Most timers have predefined settings for time and exposure. Most timers also have a fail safe that automatically turns off the bed after a given length of time. Does this Spark an idea?

Unplug the bed from the wall.

Locate the control panel for the tanning bed.

Find the plug for the remote or control wire. This should be labeled on the bed. If you are having difficulty locating the plug, then consult the owner's manual.

Plug the connector or control cable into the plug. This cable must be designed for the specific tanning bed make. The company that sold the remote timer should also sell this cable.

Plug the other end of the cable into the remote timer receiver. This is the unit that will transmit the timer signals from the control to and from the tanning bed.

Turn on the control unit for the remote timer. This is the wireless device that will control the timer on the bed.

Plug in the bed and test out the system.

Warning

- Tanning beds have been directly linked to causing skin cancer. Tan at your own risk.

How to Assemble a Klafsun Tanning Bed

Before you use your new tanning bed, you'll need to assemble it. Klafsun tanning beds come 95% pre-assembled with the bulbs already installed. The tanning bed will arrive in three separate pieces and all of the parts required are supplied. Assembling a Klafsun tanning bed will require some assistance to lift and steady the bench and canopy. Does this Spark an idea?

Clear out a space large enough to work. Open the boxes on the floor. Pay close attention to the box markings indicating which side is up.

Confirm all the parts needed for assembly are accounted for. Refer to the owner's manual for your model to determine what parts are needed. Contact the dealer or manufacturer if any parts are missing. Don't attempt to assemble the tanning bed if parts are missing.

Turn the bench seat upside down and install the ballast using the Allen bolts, washers and wrench supplied. Follow the graph in the owner's manual for your specific model.

Remove the base from the box. The base on some models comes in two pieces that will need to be connected before installation. Use the Allen bolts, washers and wrench supplied.

Turn the base upside down and align it with the bottom of the bench. Couple the bolt holes on both the base and bench. You will need an extra set of hands to lift and hold the base steady. Use the Allen bolts, washers and wrench supplied to secure the base to the bench.

Turn the bench and base upright. Align the hex holes on the canopy with the hex holes on the connecting arm, insert the hex bolts and tighten with a hex wrench. You will need help to lift and steady the canopy for this step.

Remove any protective film covering the tanning bed. Slide the bed into place and plug it in to a three-prong 120-V outlet.

Problems With a Tanning Bed Not Working in Cold Weather

Tanning beds provide a quick and effective method of tanning for those who do not want to spend hours in the sun. In order to make use of a tanning bed during the winter months, it is important to keep the bed in a warm, temperature-controlled climate. If you are experiencing problems with your tanning bed, the troubles may be due to cold temperatures. Does this Spark an idea?

Fluorescent Bulbs

Tanning beds produce light using fluorescent bulbs. According to lighting manufacturer Osram, fluorescent light bulbs function by trapping gas inside a glass tube with a small amount of mercury and then running electrical current across a filament on either end of the bulb. The electrical current causes electrons to be released into the gas and the mercury to radiate ultraviolet light that is absorbed and emitted as visible light by a phosphor coating on the bulb.

Temperature Restrictions

According to Frank Durda, author of "The Fluorescent Lighting System," typical fluorescent bulbs begin to lose brightness and flicker at 50 degrees Fahrenheit, or 10 degrees Celsius. As the temperature of the bulb drops, more problems will be experienced and less less will be generated. When the bulb is in a fixture without insulation, such as a tanning bed with a crack, hole or unsealed seam, or in temperatures much colder than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat from the bulb itself will never raise the temperature enough to provide stability, and the light will continue to flicker or die.

Signs of Trouble

When a tanning bed is turned on, the bulbs light up. If the temperature around the bulbs is colder than their optimal operating temperature, they will be noticeably dim, flicker and have pulsating rings of light moving across the bulb. This is the first sign that your area is too cold. If the bulbs are left on for a short while and allowed to heat up and still have a dim or flickering appearance, the temperature is too cold for operation.

Solutions

Ensuring that the tanning bed glass cover is not cracked or punctured and is sealed properly along the seams will help insulate the bulbs, allowing them to generate enough heat to operate. Durda also recommends the use of plastic lamp sleeves. These sleeves are clear plastic tubes designed to fit around a fluorescent bulb. The sleeve stays on the bulb while in a fixture and provides additional insulation to contain the bulb's heat and further improve operation in cold temperatures.

How to Wire a Direct Circuit for a Tanning Bed

Tanning beds are enjoyed by many people to get vitamin D in the cold winter months. It is also used for cosmetic reasons to temporarily darken the skin. When installing a tanning bed, it is important to connect it with a dedicated circuit wired to the distribution panel. This is because tanning beds consume a significant amount of electricity, and several beds on a single circuit may cause an overload. Does this Spark an idea?

Determine the electrical requirements for your specific tanning bed. This information is located in the owner's manual for the unit. The important information is the volts and amps required.

Contact an electrician to install the appropriate size breaker and electrical wire in the main distribution panel. Have the electrician run the wire to the room where the tanning bed is located.

Turn the power off for the circuit you are working on at the distribution panel. Confirm the power is off by touching a non-contact voltage detector to the wire's insulation.

Remove the cover that provides access to the tanning bed's electrical connections. You may need to remove screws to open this cover.

Run the electrical wire through the side access hole in the electrical connection box. Secure the wire by tightening the compression mechanism with a screwdriver.

Strip 3/8 inch of insulation off the end of each wire with wire strippers.

Loosen the hot, neutral and the ground terminal in the box with a screwdriver. The installation manual for the tanning bed will point you to the right terminals if they are not clearly marked.

Push the green or bare wire into the ground terminal and tighten it down.

Push the white wire into the neutral terminal and tighten it down.

Push the black wire into the hot terminal and tighten it down. If your unit is 220 volts, you will need to connect the red wire to the second hot terminal and tighten it down.

Reinstall the cover on the tanning bed and test the device.

Warning

- Working around electricity has the potential to be very dangerous. Double and even triple check that the power is off before beginning work.

Will a Tanning Bed Harm an iPod?

A tanning bed’s ultraviolet lights won’t harm your iPod, but excessive heat will. Excessive heat can also harm any accessories you may have as part of your iPod, including cases, covers or skins. Your iPod should not be used in an environment that exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Tanning beds contain multiple lamps that emit temperatures varying from 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Using the iPod Externally

Purchase a set of earbuds or headphones that use a long connection cable, if you don’t already have some. Plug the cable's connector into your iPod's headphone jack and place the iPod on the floor outside of the tanning bed. This will keep the device’s inner components and outer case as well as any covers on the device from overheating in the event you are tanning for a long period of time.

Using Music Inputs

If your tanning bed contains an audio input jack, plug one end of a 1/8-inch stereo cable into your iPod’s headphone jack and plug the other end of the cable into the audio input jack. Place the iPod on the floor outside of the tanning bed or in an area next to the audio input jack, if available. Turn on the tanning bed's speakers and adjust to your liking.

Using the Tanning Bed

If you do use your iPod inside of the tanning bed, lay it on the mat next to you. Do not lay the device directly on the bed’s surface – the heat emitting from the bed’s structure can cause the iPod to overheat. Remove the iPod immediately from the bed once you are done tanning. Do not lay the iPod on your skin – this can cause an imprint of the device’s case on your skin if you tan too long.

Cooling and Storage

Your iPod cools down automatically after you turn the device off. Store your iPod in a location that does not exceed 113 degrees when the device is off. Do not leave your iPod in a hot automobile after using it, in direct sunlight or close to direct heat, as this will damage the device even if it is powered off.

Tanning Beds & Eye Disorders

Tanning beds and eye disorders are directly related in a number of different interesting ways. Get information on tanning beds and eye disorders with help from an eye and facial plastic surgeon in this free video clip.

Video Transcript

Hi, I'm Dr. Matheson Harris, an oculoplastic surgeon and ophthalmologist in Salt Lake City, Utah. Doctors have often warned that tanning bed use is a bad idea but it's especially bad for the eyes. The best way to avoid any problems with tanning beds and the eyes is to just not tan at all which is our recommendation. We all know that tanning can cause increased risk of skin cancer, premature skin aging and even melanoma which can be deadly. If you however, choose to use a tanning bed, there are a few tips to avoid any kind of eye problems. The biggest problem with using a tanning bed and the eyes is a problem called Photokeratitis which is essentially a sunburn on the eye. This can cause irritation on the surface of the eye, tearing and even some blurring of the vision. This can be avoided by using a special type of goggle called a Wink or an occlusion goggle which the tanning bed company should provide to you. Wearing wrap around sunglasses is not adequate as he UVA and UVB rays which are the damaging rays omitted by tanning beds can infiltrate around these types of glasses. Long term exposure to UVA and UVB rays can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, melanoma of the eye and permanent vision loss. If you experience any changes in your vision, you should see an ophthalmologist immediately. If you have any other questions about tanning beds, tanning bed risks or any other questions about the eyes, see an ophthalmologist in your area.

Tanning Bed & a Dark Upper Lip

Tanning beds and a dark upper lip are two concepts that are directly related in a number of interesting ways. Find out about tanning beds and a dark upper lip with help from an experienced makeup professional in this free video clip.

Video Transcript

Hi, my name is Miyako J., makeup artist of 14 years, and today I'm going to show you how to prevent a dark upper lip from tanning. Let's get started. Okay so to avoid a darker upper lip and to bring a good balance to your face, I suggest placing an SPF all over the face so you would avoid any kind of other darkness and create an immaculate balance on your face for tanning. So you make sure that you place the sunscreen all over the face including your upper lip and all around the face so you can have a really nice balanced tan. And that's how you prevent a dark upper lip from tanning. See you next time.