Homemade Tanning Bed

A homemade tanning bed is not advised as slight miscalculations can result in serious health complications. It is much safer to purchase a pre-made tanning bed. In addition, The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has stated that UV tanning beds are carcinogenic to humans and are in its highest cancer risk category. Creating a tanning bed at home is possible but does require significant effort. Does this Spark an idea?

Warning

The bulbs used in tanning beds are extremely powerful. Using too many bulbs or bulbs with a high power output can result in severe burns and excess heat. When building a tanning bed it is better to err on the side of caution when adding bulbs. Due to the high power consumption of tanning beds, the bulbs must be correctly connected to a power ballast. This process is not necessarily easy and incorrect wiring can result in a short circuit, electrical fire or damaged bulbs.

Considerations

Tanning beds require a high amount of power (up to 3,000 watts according to hometanningbed.com). The average outlet in a household can barely supply 1,000 watts through one outlet without blowing a circuit. As a result, the tanning bed may need hardwiring to the house's electrical system, a process that requires a licensed electrician. Alternatively, the tanning bed may require a 220-volt outlet, and the standard for households in North America is 120 volts. The only 220-volt outlet in most households is where the dryer plugs in. Installing an additional 220-volt outlet is not difficult, but a licensed electrician should do the work.

Size

The size of the bed would be slightly larger than that of an average person standing, and most tanning beds are between 6 and 7 feet in length. For safety reasons, many homemade tanning beds are vertical instead of the traditional horizontal tanning bed found in most tanning salons. The reason for this is that it is easier to adjust the distance between the bulbs and the tanner if the bed is vertical.

Features

A tanning bed is nothing more than a series of UVA bulbs connected to a circuit and ballast and mounted on a panel. All of these components are purchased separately and assembled at home. The construction of the bed itself is a designer's choice. Many tanning beds are curved to wrap around the tanner, while others are flat. Every tanning bed features an automatic safety shut-off; this ensures not only the safety of the tanner but also the longevity of the bed. Homemade tanning beds do not come with a safety shut-off; it is recommended to add an automatic shut-off feature to all homemade beds.

Cost

Building a homemade tanning bed costs several thousand dollars. A complete set of bulbs may be between $500 and $3,000, the variance in price is due to the variety of bulbs available. Bulbs vary in both quality and strength and both of these factors contribute to price. Power ballasts can cost up to $2,000 for a 3,000-watt power ballast. Circuits, wires and control units can add another $500 to costs. The frame of the bed must be sturdy, and the cheapest pre-made frames cost around $800.

How to Remove Acrylics in a Tanning Bed

Tanning beds need regular maintenance to stay in the best condition and to maximize life of the product. Acrylics should be cleaned after each use, and completely changed after every 1000 hours. You should always make sure you follow instructions closely when working with tanning beds, especially when changing parts such as the acrylics. Does this Spark an idea?

Disconnect all power to the tanning bed. It is crucial that you do this before removing parts of the tanning bed to avoid getting shocked.

Stand in front of the bed. Using the flat head screwdriver, insert it into the acrylic trim strip. Once inserted, slowly begin to pry and grab the edge of the strip. Continue pulling the strip away from the tanning bed unit until it is removed.

Look for the end cap screws on the bed. You may need to loosen these screws before removing the acrylic. It is very important that you do not remove the end cap screws all the way.

Look for a lip in the bed rail. Use your flat head screwdriver to gently pry the acrylic up and over this lip. You may need some extra help from another person while doing this. Grasp the long edge of the acrylic that is now exposed.

Slide the acrylic slowly toward you, while still standing in front of the bed, until it is removed. The edges may be sharp, so make sure you are careful.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tanning Beds

Tanning beds are a popular way to get a suntan without spending time outdoors. While this approach may provide you with a year-round tan, it also has the potential to be unsanitary or a health risk. Another misconception is that using a tanning bed before a beach vacation will prevent sunburn; however, this is not always the case. Does this Spark an idea?

Are Tanning Beds Sanitary?

Tanning beds require the same high level of sanitation as hotel room beds. Both beds need to be cleaned from previous use to eliminate the possibility of germs. However, while hotel bed sheets are replaced with clean sheets, tanning beds have to be physically cleaned with a chemical to thoroughly remove sweat, germs and body hair. State laws have established criteria about tanning bed sanitation to address this issue.

However, the sanitation chemicals can cause dermatological problems if they are not properly diluted. For example, in one case a girl developed a rash (irritant dermatitis) due to undiluted sanitary chemicals after tanning prior to her prom, according to DermAtlas.

Do Tanning Beds Protect From Sunburn?

Using a tanning bed prior to a trip to the beach might give you a nice base body color, but it cannot guarantee sunburn prevention, according to the Mayo Clinic. Tanning bed use can provide a small amount of pre-sun exposure protection (SPF 4 or less), but it isn't enough to prevent sunburn from extended time in the sun after just a few minutes time at the beach.

The only known ways to prevent sunburn are to cover up or frequently use a liberal amount of sunscreen. It's also beneficial to stay out of the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM.

Can Tanning Beds Cause Health Problems

The Utah government, for example, believes tanning beds do pose health threats. Utah requires that tanning salons post warning signs advising customers about these potential dangers. The signs must meet the following stringent design requirements: each sign must use specific colors (white background, orange-colored panel at top, black lettering); use arial font (the word "warning" must be in 80 point font and the words "ultraviolet radiation" in 39 point, both in all CAPS); and the sign must measure 11 inches by 17 inches.

The warning sign must include an internationally recognized safety alert symbol, as well as five health warnings and recommendations, which are as follows: eye protection is recommended to prevent blindness; pregnant women--or those using contraceptives--should speak with their doctor prior to sunbed use; skin cancer or severe skin damage may result from exposure; some types of medicine and cosmetics increase susceptibility to burning; and tanning sessions are limited to one per each 48 hour period.

But Utah isn't the only state that warns citizens of potential health concerns. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 32 states have laws in effect regarding tanning, especially for the health protection of teens, which became a growing health concern addressed legislatively in 2010.

Chest Hair & Tanning Beds

Tanning beds provide color to skin without having to spend hours in the sun or worry about tan lines. However, chest hair can prevent you from achieving an even tone. Does this Spark an idea?

UV Light

Body hair can provide protection from UV rays. However, when tanning, it can also interfere with the process. ReallyTan.com recommends shaving your legs, chest and stomach in order to get an even tan.

Appearance

Contrary to urban legend, tanning beds will not lighten body hair. However, a darker skin tone may make hair less noticeable.

Shaving

It's important to shave correctly in order to get the best effect. You should shave against the hair grain in slow, even motions. Consider an electric shaver for sensitive areas like the chest.

How to Undress at a Tanning Bed

Most people choose to tan in the nude to avoid tan lines and because tanning beds are both private and sanitary. When using a tanning bed, it is important to undress within the time allowed before the bed turns on. You may also need to apply tanning lotion or set up music during the few minutes you have, so it is important to undress quickly and efficiently. Does this Spark an idea?

Beware of tanning-bed cameras before you undress. Some people have fallen victim to hidden cameras in the tanning salon, which employees used to watch them get undressed. Look around for a camera while you undress, and don't take your clothes off completely if you do, or better yet, leave, demand a refund, and call the police.

Take off your outer layers, like a jacket or scarf, and hang them up. Take off your shoes and place them neatly where they won't get anything else dirty.

Take off your clothes, fold them, and put them on a table. If there is no table, drape them over your coat. Don't hang any delicate fabrics directly on the metal hooks. Keep you eye on the timer on the bed, as it counts down, and undress faster if you are running out of time.

Take off your undergarments and fold them into, or place them inside, your pants or shirt. This keeps them clean and stops the spread of germs. If you don't want to get completely undressed, wear your undergarments in the bed or wear a bathing suit.

Tie up your hair and apply tanning lotion or sunscreen. It is not recommended that you go into the booth without anything on your skin. Lotions can prevent you from burning if you go into the bed for longer than you should.

How do I Troubleshoot Sunquest Tanning Beds?

Wolf Tanning Bed's Sunquest line come in a variety of models. If you experience problems with your Sunquest tanning bed, there are several troubleshooting steps you can perform to identify the problem's cause. Does this Spark an idea?

Measure the distance between the back of the tanning bed and the wall to ensure there is at least 6 inches of space. Placing the tanning bed closer than this will cause it to feel very hot and could overheat.

Place a thermometer in the room where the Sunquest tanning bed is located to make sure the room temperature is 80 degrees or lower when the tanning bed is not running. If the normal room temperature is above 80 degrees, the bed could overheat.

Call an electrician and have himexamine the electrical circuit if the tanning bed continually shuts off or trips a fuse. According to the manufacturer, the Sunquest beds should be on their own circuit, with no other devices or appliances plugged into the outlets. In addition, the electrical circuit should be able to handle a minimum of either 15 or 20 amps, depending on your tanning bed model.

Locate the threaded canopy locks on the hinge of the bendable arms and twist them clockwise to ensure they are not loose. Loose locks cause the canopy to continually fall shut. If the locks are secure, call in a technician to service the tanning bed and replace the gas springs.

Replace the bulbs in the tanning bed if they flicker or appear dull. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for bulb replacement on your specific Sunquest model. In general, you will unscrew the clear plastic shield, and then gently twist each long light tube out of the bed. Insert the new bulbs by pressing them into the bulb location and twisting slightly.

Tips

- You should change the bulbs in the Sunquest tanning bed once they have been in use for 400 to 500 hours.

Why Does the Tanning Bed Make You Happy?

Despite the correlation between ultraviolet (UV) light exposure and increased skin cancer risk, tanning bed use to deepen skin color continues. Recent research suggests the practice affects more than just the skin. UV light exposure that occurs during tanning also elevates mood and may be addictive. Does this Spark an idea?

Tanning and Mood

Improved self-image is not the sole mood-elevating factor associated with tanning bed use. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, skin exposed to UV light produces and releases beta-endorphin. Beta-endorphin is an opium-like chemical best known for providing the sense of well-being, or "runners high," that accompanies vigorous exercise.

Vitamin D

According to an editorial published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, low levels of vitamin D have been associated with depression. UV light exposure from the sun or tanning beds stimulates the skin to produce vitamin D. The editorial also reports "exposure of skin to ultraviolet light, which converts cutaneous 7-dehydocholesterol to vitamin D3, is the most important source of vitamin D for most people".

Tanning Addiction

An editorial published in Expert Reviews supports the theory of a possible link between frequent tanning and UV light addiction. It references a study in which tanners were given naltrexone, an opioid-blocking substance, before UV radiation exposure. Fifty percent of frequent tanners experienced symptoms of withdrawal including nausea and jitters. Infrequent tanners experienced no withdrawal symptoms.