how do tanning beds work?
Do I need special tanning lotions or tanning oils? Tanning beds usual special light bulbs to produce invisible UV radiation that causes skin to tan and burn. Most tanning beds produce UVA rays (there are also UVB and UVC rays). A lot of people use a tanning salon bed before taking a tropical vacation to build up a base tan and look better in their bathing suit once they arrive. A lot of teens (especially girls) use tanning beds to keep a bronzed look all year long. But tanning beds are no safer than real outdoor sun exposure – both bathe your body in UV light, and proper precautions should be taken to protect your eyes and skin and limit your exposure. Using tanning beds is easy. Turn them on, lay down, and relax. A lot of girls opt to go tanning topless or nude – that’s up to your personal choice. Not everyone wants tan lines! They even make tanning nipple covers to protect sensitive skin area (about $8-$10, they stick on like pasties).
A. Tanning beds act like the sun. The sun emits three kinds of UV rays. UV-C has the shortest wavelength and is also the most harmful. The sun emits UV-C light but it is absorbed by the ozone layer and pollution. Tanning lamps filter out this type of UV light. UV-B, the middle wavelength, stimulates the melanocyte cells that produce melanin for several hours after exposure. These will later be bronzed by subsequent exposure to UV-A making the brown that we call a “tan”. Overexposure will cause sunburn. UV-A, the longest wavelength, oxidizes the melanin and produces the tan.
You may know what the results of tanning beds are but not the method by which tanning happens. In short, a tanning bed is lined with tanning lamps that emit UV light. This spectrum of UVA and UVB is similiar enough to the sun that it has a tanning effect on your skin. The deepness of this result will depend on the particular bed’s power, how long your session time, and of course, how often you tan. People with very light or fair skin, or those who have particularly sensitively skin should start off slow and build. Over time, your tan will deepen, and if you care for it correctly – will be more even and beautiful than even a “real” tan would be. Remember though, this is not a base tan – your skin is still susceptible to sunburns when out in the actual sun. You should always wear sunscreen outdoors, and stay well-moisterized. That’s better for your tan, and a good idea year-round!
Tanning beds basically imitate the sun. The sun emits three kinds of UV rays that make you tan (named: UV-A, UV-B, UV-C). UV-C has the shortest wavelength of the three, and is also the most harmful. The sun emits UV-C light, but then it s absorbed by the ozone layer and pollution. Tanning lamps filter out this type of UV light. UV-B, the middle wavelength, starts the tanning process, but overexposure can cause sunburn. UV-A has the longest wavelength, and it completes the tanning process. Tanning lamps use the best ratio of UV-B and UV-A light to provide optimal tanning results with a lowered risk of overexposure.
