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Tanning Bed Facts!
Introduction
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What is a tanning bed?
o
A tanning bed is a device you lay down on with
bulbs which emit ultraviolet radiation (typically 95% UVA and 5% UVB,
+/-3%) used to produce a cosmetic tan. Regular tanning beds use several
fluorescent lamps that have phosphor blends designed to emit UV in a
spectrum that is somewhat similar to the sun. Smaller home tanning beds
usually have 12 to 28 100 watt lamps while systems found in salons can
run from 24 to 60 lamps each consuming 100 to 200 watts.
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Other popular names for tanning
beds
o
Tanning beds may also be referred to as sun beds,
solariums, tan beds, sun tanning beds, indoor tanning equipment, and
stand up tanning booths or vertical tanners in various parts of the
world.
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Typical usage
o
Tanning beds are used for somewhat different
reasons in the US than in Europe. In the US, tanning is more seasonal,
where most users begin in January and stop or slow down by June. It is
most often used as a way to jump-start the tanning process, so that once
the summer begins, they can go to the beach or enjoy other outdoor
activities and already have a significant base tan built up. This is
also why tanning lotions and bronzers are more commonly used in the US.
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Benefits of tanning
o
While the primary reason for both Americans and
Europeans to use a tanning bed is cosmetic, there are many other reasons
why they are used. It is common for people to tan simply because it
makes them feel good. Also, most tanning beds generate a large amount
of heat, including infrared, which has deep penetrating action that can
relieve minor muscle aches.
o
While most dermatologists discourage the use of
tanning beds, many are now prescribing high UVB tanning devices for
various skin diseases. Some people with psoriasis or eczema are
treated with UVB light therapy (known as PUVA, for Psoralens and UVA
radiation) to lessen the symptoms. This is typically in the 310 nm to
315 nm portion of the UVB spectrum. Virtually all fluorescent tanning
lamps have one spectral peak within this region of the UVB spectrum,
making them an effective tool in mild to moderate cases. In some
circumstances, salon memberships have been prescribed and more rarely
the purchase of home tanning beds have been prescribed by doctors and
may be covered by insurance policies. Tanning may temporarily help some
forms of acne by drying out the skin, but it is not a solution that
lasts for very long. Further, most prescription or
over the counter acne medications (e.g. Accutane, Benzoyl Peroxide,
Retin-A) should not be used in combination with ultraviolet exposure or
the user may experience negative side effects from burning to delayed
healing due to photosensitivity that these drugs (and many others) can
create.
o
Exposure to UVB light in the 295 nm to 297 nm
spectra (regardless of source) leads to production of vitamin D in the
skin. Vitamin D is important for a number of human functions, including
the maintenance of normal blood levels of phosphorus and calcium and the
promotion of healthy bones. Studies have shown that many people don't
get enough of the vitamin, which may even aid in the prevention of
cancer, diabetes, and HIV. However, because tanning beds use
bulbs that emit mostly UVA light (95% UVA and 5% UVB), tanning beds do
not appreciably help the body produce vitamin D.
o
Tanning makes most people feel good. To
understand how this happens, researchers set out to determine if
endorphin levels were increased after tanning. They concluded that there
were no significant differences in the mean plasma levels of β-endorphin
between people who were exposed to tanning beds and those who were not.
The positive psychological benefits of tanning may be due to
factors other than endorphins.
o
It is believed that indoor tanning beds are
useful for the treatment of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder),
though this is disputed at present.
It
is plausible that the benefit that many SAD patients experience are more
due to tanning causing them to feel good in general, rather than treat
the SAD itself.
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The history of tanning beds in America
o
Although tanning beds were initially brought to
America by Friedrich Wolff in 1978, he soon patented his particular
blend of phosphors (since expired) and began licensing the technology to
other companies. Wolff Systems has since devoted all their resources
into lamp technology and development. Some of the early adopters of the
Wolff technology include ETS, Inc., SCA, Sun Industries, Inc., Montego
Bay, Sunal. Later, Friedrich sold Wolff Systems to his brother Jorg
Wolff, who was the founder of Cosmedico, Ltd., another pioneer in the
tanning industry.
o
Most modern tanning beds have not changed much
from the original systems. The lamp technology and electronics have
evolved over the years, but the basic "low pressure" tanning bed has not
evolved. The original electronics used in the first tanning beds, both
"European choke" and magnetic, are still in use today although there are
now many other choices including electronic and high frequency. The
lamps are still fluorescent type, using special phosphors that create a
spectrum in the UVA and UVB range although there has been a great deal
of advancement over the years to make the light spectrum they emit more
"sun-like".
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Tanning bed regulations
o
Initially, tanning beds were virtually
unregulated in the US, but in 1988 (and later updated in 1999) the
primary source of regulation at the federal level was
21 CFR 1040.20. This law was designed primarily
to ensure that all tanning beds sold or used in salons adhered to a
general set of safety rules, with the primary focus on tanning bed and
lamp manufacturers in regards to maximum exposure times and product
equivalence. It is left up to each individual state to determine the
regulations for salons themselves, and as such, many states are still
not regulated beyond these basic federal rules. Check to see if
your state has regulations by clicking here.
o
In the United States, the maximum exposure time in most tanning
beds is 20 minutes but varies from bed to bed. This is calculated by the
manufacturer according to the amount of time needed to produce 4 MEDs
(minimal erythemal doses). This is essentially 4 times the amount of UV
that is required to produce a reddening on unexposed skin. A person
would start with a much shorter session time and work their way to the
maximum exposure time in about 4 weeks. Every tanning bed is required to
have a "Recommended Exposure Schedule" on both the front of the tanning
bed and in the owner’s manual. It must also list the original lamp that
was certified for that particular tanning bed, and salon owners must
replace the lamps with either the exact same lamp, or a lamp that is
certified by the lamp manufacturer to be legally equivalent. Lamp
replacement and salon compliance is regulated by the individual state in
the USA, whereas the manufacturing and sale of new equipment is
regulated by the federal government.
Types of
Indoor Tanning Beds
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Low Pressure
o
Low pressure tanning beds are the most common
home and salon type installed by tanning bed manufacturers today and the
usually employ 100-120 watt fluorescent type bulbs. The number of
lamps in low pressure tanning beds range from 16 to 32 or more and a low
pressure tanning bed may also include up to three 400 watt high pressure
facial bulbs but still be considered a low pressure tanning bed.
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High Pressure
o
There are "high pressure" tanning beds that
generate primarily UVA (99.9%) with some UVB by using highly specialized
quartz lamps, reflector systems and filters. These are less common and
much more expensive, thus less commonly used. High pressure bulbs
typically begin at 400 watts (these are the most common type of “facial”
bulbs in low pressure tanning beds. Other high pressure beds
include 500 watt, 1000 watt, and even 2000 watt units.
o
These high pressure tanning beds require special
filter glass to remove the UVC and the majority of the UVB that is
emitted and are difficult to manufacture because the alignment of the
lamps is more critical than in traditional low-pressure tanning beds.
They are generally large units, with a padded area to lie on or an
acrylic and 6 to 36 lamps in a canopy or canopy and bench configuration,
the tanning effect is much deeper and requires only a maintenance
exposure of about 2-3 times per month compared to every 48 hours for
regular tanning beds. They are much more expensive to operate, thus more
expensive for the user. Retail prices in the $20,000 to $35,000 range
are common with individual sessions costing $20 to $45, depending on the
market.
o
High pressure tanning beds have no or very little UVB light and
100% UVA light which interacts with melanin in the top layer of skin to
turn it brown. Therefore, if you do not already have melanin
present in your dead skin layer you will see no results from a high
pressure tanning bed session. Therefore, a person with creamy
white skin should consider stimulating their melanin by first tanning in
a “starter” bed with at least 5% UVB blend.
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Starter Beds
o
This term refers to the standard beds, or level 1
beds, which have a 5% UVB blend which is considered ideal for the first
few tanning sessions for those looking to develop a deep, dark tan
without reddening or burning. The concept of starter beds is that
someone with little or no melanin present in their top layer of skin
should begin the tanning process with the proper blend of UVB and UVA
and start with just a few minutes of tanning time and slowly build up to
20 minute maximum sessions before advancing to the 2nd or 3rd
level or high pressure beds.
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High Intensity Tanning Beds
o
This term refers to commercial tanning beds with
tanning lamps containing a % of UVB in the 7.5-8.5% and is usually in
the second tier of most 3 and 4 tier tanning systems at large tanning
salons. Keep in mind that the high pressure beds could be referred
to as high intensity because they employ the 160-220 watt tanning bed
bulbs but they usually have the “bronzing” bulbs which have a 2% UVB or
lower.\
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Bronzing & Ultra-Bronzing
Tanning Beds
o
Bronzing refers to UVA light interacting with
melanin in the dead layer skin to turn it brown, therefore, tanning beds
with bulbs which contain a 2% UVB % or lower are considered “bronzing”
bulbs and thus, bronzing beds. The most common bronzing bulb is
the Cosmolux Cosmedico VHR 9K90 series in 160-200 watt configurations.
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Turbo, Mega, & Super Beds
o
These terms usually refers to the level 3 and 4
beds in a tanning salon and may include the high pressure tanning bed
class as well. A tanning salon may indiscriminately refer to their
tanning beds in any of these and several other nicknames to describe
their different level of tanning beds offered in the salon.
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Stand Up Tanning Booths
o
Also known as stand up tanning beds, tanning
huts, and tanning verticals in Europe. Brand names include Hex,
Sundome, SouthBeach, & Ergoline. Stand up tanning booths usually
contain between 48-60 bulbs which are 160 to 220 watts each. The
stand up tanning booth has many distinct advantages to lay down tanning
beds, such as these:
§
More hygienic – lay down
tanning beds may transfer diseases if not sanitized properly, especially
if a crack in the acrylic forms
§
As your body falls –
does not create weird tan lines and tans your body as if you were
walking on the beach and as you would normally would be seen in a
bathing suit, etc.
§
Body isolation tanning –
with straps to hold onto above your head and plenty of room to maneuver,
you can tan various parts of your body in short concentrated time
periods, such as your underarms or hips
§
Most powerful tanning device
– most of the time, the stand up tanning booth is the most powerful
tanning unit in a salon. With 54 or 60 bulbs at 160 watts each,
there is 9600 watts of power versus 2800 watts for a level 1 starter
bed.
§
Fastest tanning times –
some standup tanning booths have 8 and 9 minute max sessions so a salon
owner can get more clients through for a given time period and a tanner
can get a great tan in the shortest possible time. Great for
downtown location tanning salons who may have a before work and
lunch crowd who do not want to lay down or sweat while tanning.
o
As the name implies, you sit in a chair that has
tanning bed bulbs designed to tan you in a sitting position. There
are few manufacturers of tanning bed chairs like the one pictured here.
Tanning
Bed Construction
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Bench
o
The bench is the part of the tanning bed which
you lay down and consists of the tanning bed bulbs and a tanning
bed acrylic, the clear part you actually lie on. The bench is
mounted on legs, usually steel or aluminum, which are normally bolted on
and sometimes welded. A tanning bed bench also may house the
ballasts, timers and other interconnecting parts which you may have to
access for maintenance.
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Canopy
o
The canopy is the part of the tanning bed which
is the “top” of the tanning bed and contains the same components as the
bottom, or bench, which you may need to access for maintenance.
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Frame
o
The frame of a tanning bed is usually always
steel which is normally bolted together, however there is at least one
manufacturer who welds their frames together for extra strength and
longevity.
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Skin
o
The material which makes up the skin of a tanning
bed can be made of plastic, aluminum, or steel. This part of the
tanning bed is the most varied with manufacturers producing many
varieties of tanning bed skins to choose from. All-steel tanning
beds offer life-time service where as plastic tanning beds offer smooth
lines and appearance but limited life.
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Acrylics
o
The surfaces on which the tanner lies and shield
the user by physical separation from the lamps on the bench and canopy
are typically referred to as the "acrylics". Tanning bed acrylics are
manufactured from a base material of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA),
type UVT (UV-transmitting), which has been formulated to have a spectral
transmittance in the wavelength region 290-400 nm. This should not be
confused with a standard acrylic, or "plexiglass", which would not
transmit within this spectral range effectively inhibiting the tanning
properties of the unit.
o
These acrylic materials should never be cleaned
with any agent containing alcohol (i.e. glass cleaner), as this will
adversely affect the material surface causing a phenomenon known a
"crazing". This will present itself as small fissures resembling
spiderwebs forming where stresses are most concentrated on the part and
in the region which was subjected to the chemical attack.
o
These shields break down over time as they are
exposed to UV and oxygen and must be reconditioned every few years.
Failure to do so will reduce the transparency of the acrylic to UV rays,
although to the eye it will still appear perfectly clear. The
reconditioning is most commonly done with a compound called Novus #2,
which is a slightly gritty cleaning compound that removes a microlayer
of the acrylic, restoring to near new condition and is used in many
other industries. This being said, a better practice is to replace the
acrylic as the oxidation described above affects the physical properties
of the material rendering it less impact resistant.
o
Frosted Tanning Bed
Acrylics
§ There are
now tanning beds available with frosted acrylics. The frosting
does reduce the UVB rays which pass thru by 20% and manufacturers try to
compensate by placing 120 watt lamps versus 100 watt lamps in the
tanning beds with frosting acrylics.
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Shocks, Struts, & Lifts
o
The part of a tanning bed which separates the
canopy from the bench and allows the canopy to open with little effort
and close to any position are called “shocks” or struts or lifts.
In most tanning beds these shocks are similar to the ones used in
hatch-backs for mini-vans, etc and are very specific to each bed in
which they are used. Some of the more expensive tanning units use
automatic lifts or garage door type springs for easy use of very heavy
canopies.
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Bulbs & Lamps
o
Regular tanning beds use several fluorescent lamps that have
phosphor blends designed to emit UV in a spectrum that is somewhat
similar to the sun. Smaller home tanning beds usually have 12 to 28 100
watt lamps while systems found in salons can run from 24 to 60 lamps
each consuming 100 to 200 watts.
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Ballasts
o
Most tanning beds use choke ballasts, a
technology that has been around for about 100 years, consisting of a
simple inductor which limits amount of current passing through, and
requires a lamp starter to preheat the ends of the lamp briefly at
start. Newer ballast systems include magnetic ballasts, electronic
ballasts and more recently high frequency ballasts that induce tanning
and other fluorescent lamps to work using less wattage, by using higher
frequencies. In general, newer ballast designs produce less heat and are
more energy efficient. All choke ballasts require 230V only because no
one has found a need for 120V choke ballasts in tanning manufacturing.
o
The ballasts regulate the power that is sent to
the lamps, so that if you install a 160W lamp in a tanning bed that has
100W ballasts, only 100W will be delivered to the lamp. The lamp will
still ignite and offers no benefits over a 100W lamp, and may actually
create less UV since it is designed for higher current. It will not
damage the system, although installing 160W lamps with a 100W ballast
will result in very short lamp life, as the 160W lamp cathode/anode sets
are typically designed to run at much higher temperature.
o
Roll-out ballast trays for tanning beds are
provided by some manufacturers to make maintenance on parts likes
ballasts, relays, and capacitors much easier. All of the ballasts
and important electrical components are mounted on a tray with wheels in
which you can remove one cover and have instant access to all
serviceable components of a tanning bed or booth except the lamp socket
and starters, which you access from the front by removing the acrylic.
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Starters
o
The lamp starter part of the bed (small tan
cylinder) is used only on beds with choke ballasts and is a simple
plasma starting switch. It has no bearing on how powerful the bed is.
Either it works (the lamp lights) or doesn't. They are installed one per
lamp on beds that use them, and are generally replaced every couple of
years in salons or every 6 to 10 years for infrequently used systems.
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Timers
o
Tanning bed timers include the old mechanical egg
type which are still in use today in cheaper home tanning bed models and
the newer digital timers which can be connected with CAT5 style
communication wire or with new wireless adapters.
o
There are two types of cooling fans in a tanning
bed: the first are the fans which keep the internal components like
ballasts cool and the second type are the body cooling fans. The
more fans the better for component cooling because heat removal can be a
problem down the road if your room is not adequately ventilated.
o
A body cooling fan mounted at the end of a
tanning bed is the ideal body cooling system. Preferably the body
cooling fans should come on automatically with the bed and have separate
fan speed controls.
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Buck-boosters
o
These are step-up (boost) or step-down (buck)
voltage transformers which take your building's input voltage, usually
208-248 volts, and regulates it to the recommended input voltage for
your tanning unit (220-232 volts).
o
Buck boosters are ONLY required if your existing
voltage, as determined by your particular location, is outside of the
220-232V range as dictated by the tanning bed manufacturer. Buck
boosters usually cost between $150-$300 and are pre-wired for your
needs.
o
Buck-boosters are a small, heavy, grey box which
lay behind the bed. The buck-booster plugs into the wall (or
hard-wired as required) and the tanning bed is plugged or hard-wired
into the buck-boosters. For larger salons you may also elect to
install a single large transformer in your electrical utility room and
run all your electricity through this unit. You must perform a
cost analysis of these two options and you may want to go to three-phase
power distribution versus single-phase to further save money in
electrical cost. This is only a valid option for salons with 10 or
more tanning units.
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Single versus Three Phase Power
o
Most manufacturers will pre-wire commercial
tanning beds in both single and three phase power operation. Many
of the largest tanning beds only come in this configuration because of
the large amount of current draw required. The most important fact
to know as a salon owner is that you always want 3 phase power operation
on as many tanning beds as possible to lower your electric bill.
In summary, you want to know if three-phase is available in your
location or how expensive it would be to have it brought in to your
power panel.
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Paint Color & Graphics
o
Tanning beds come in a variety of colors and
graphics packages which include contemporary, tropical, and even space
age look. There are also tanning bed manufacturers who will put
your logo on the unit or paint with your color scheme. Many of the
fastest growing fitness franchise use custom tanning bed builders to
match their color schemes exactly. These include Anytime Fitness,
Planet Fitness, and Snap Fitness franchises.
Tanning
Bed Bulbs
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History of tanning lamps
o
The first original tanning lamps were discovered by accident in
1903 by a German company called Heraeus who were developing lighting
systems for the home and for industrial usage. These lamps were of the
high-pressure metal halide variety. They discovered that the light that
was developed for visible light purposes also emitted ultra-violet
light. In the 1920s and 1930's they (Heraeus) first started to market
and sell single lamp, self standing tanning/wellness devices. The first
high-pressure tanning beds incorporating more than a single
high-pressure lamp were manufactured in the mid to late seventies by
companies such as Ultrabronz and JK Ergoline and in the 1980s the first
high-pressure units were exported to the United States.
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Types of Tanning Bed Bulbs
o
Low pressure
§
Low pressure tanning bulbs are the most common home and salon type
installed by tanning bed manufacturers today and the usually employ
100-120 watt fluorescent type lamps. The number of lamps in low
pressure tanning beds range from 16 to 32 or more and a low pressure
tanning bed may also include up to three 400 watt high pressure facial
bulbs but still be considered a low pressure tanning bed.
o
High pressure
§
High pressure tanning lamps generate primarily UVA (99.9%) with
some UVB by using highly specialized quartz lamps, reflector systems and
filters. These are less common and much more expensive, thus less
commonly used. High pressure bulbs typically begin at 400 watts which
are the most common type of “facial” bulbs in low pressure tanning beds.
Other high pressure tanning bed bulb varieties include 500 watt, 1000
watt, and even 2000 watt units.
§ High
pressure tanning beds require special filter glass to remove the UVC and
the majority of the UVB that is emitted and are difficult to manufacture
because the alignment of the lamps is more critical than in traditional
low-pressure tanning beds. They are generally large units, with a padded
area to lie on or an acrylic and 6 to 36 lamps in a canopy or canopy and
bench configuration, the tanning effect is much deeper and requires only
a maintenance exposure of about 2-3 times per month compared to every 48
hours for regular tanning beds. They are much more expensive to operate,
thus more expensive for the user. Retail prices in the $20,000 to
$35,000 range are common with individual sessions costing $20 to $45,
depending on the market.
o
Facial lamps
§
High pressure facial bulbs typically begin at 400 watts which are
the most common type of “facial” bulbs in low pressure tanning beds.
Other high pressure tanning bed bulb varieties include 500 watt, 1000
watt, and even 2000 watt units and can also be used in stand up tanning
booths.
§
High pressure tanning beds require special filter glass to remove
the UVC and the majority of the UVB that is emitted and are difficult to
manufacture because the alignment of the lamps is more critical than in
traditional low-pressure tanning beds.
o
Spaghetti tanning
bed lamps
§
This term refers to a type of lamp which is very thin and may
range from 25 to 40 watts in power. They are used in tanning beds
with special arm, shoulder, or side tanners.
o
Dual Sun Lamps
§
Refer to tanning bed bulbs which are “painted” on one end of the
lamp where your face may be. The idea here is to block the UVB
light with a external paint of some source, only allowing the UVA light
thru, simulating a high pressure facial lamp.
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Active Ingredients
o
European tanning beds generally use a different type of lamp as
well, with UVB ratings in the 1% to 3% range (using US measuring
methods) whereas most tanning beds sold in the US use 4.2% to 6.5% UVB
ratings, and aftermarket lamps with up to 8.5% or higher being popular.
Of course, these lamps have less UVA and will produce a sunburn quicker,
but many Americans seem to like them because a short session produces a
"reddening", or instant gratification. These lamps actually produce a
slower deep tan (but a faster base tan) that fades faster, but are
simply marketed as "hotter", although technically they have about the
same amount of UV but with different ratios of UVA and UVB.
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UVA vs UVB
o
A tanning bed bulb is basically divided between
the % of UVA and UVB light in which the bulb emits. A typical home
tanning bed with a 20 minute maximum exposure time would have a 5% UVB
and 95% UVB blend. Keep in mind when selecting a tanning bed bulb,
as the UVB goes up, the bulb becomes more burning or reddening. As the
UVB goes down the bulb becomes more bronzing or browning.
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When to change tanning bed bulbs
o
Most manufacturers recommend changing their bulbs
when they reach around 70% of their original value as read on a UV light
meter. Conventional thought is that if the manufacturer says the
bulb is good for 1000 hours, most owners will change the bulbs at the
700 hour mark if they do not have a UV light meter.
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UV Light Meters
o
A UV Light meter is used to measure the UV output
of a tanning bed bulb and can be purchased at most tanning supply
providers. The concept of working with a UV light meter is to
first measure “baseline” data when the bed and bulbs are brand new and
everything is dust free, etc. Measure the same point 1 inch from
both the top and bottom acrylic and record in a notebook. Then, on
a monthly basis, record the value and continue to monitor the UV light
level until it reaches 70% of original value.
o
A UV light meter is also a great way to see the
improvement of tanning bed bulb strength after the bulbs and acrylics
have been clean and serviced.
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How to choose the right tanning
bed bulb for you
o
To find out which tanning lamps are right for
you, first go through a tanning salons inventory of equipment in the
proper order. Make sure the salon operator can give you the UVB
%’s of all tanning beds in the salon and begin with a session or two in
the 20 min beds with 5% UVB and then a few sessions in the 2nd
level beds with 15 minute high intensity lamps that have a 8.5% UVB.
o
These 8.5% UVB tanning bed bulbs will turn your
skin more “red” at first and then fade to brown. If you are a
person who buys tanning bed lotion with a “tingle” factor, which turns
your skin red, then you will love the 8.5% UVB lamps and your search is
over.
o
However, you should also try the 3rd
level of bulbs which are the 160 -220 watt family and usually contain 2%
or lower UVB. The beds may contain anywhere from 35 to 60 bulbs
and are considered “bronzing” beds because of the low UVB. Keep in
mind; you must have a base tan or melanin present in your top layer of
skin to see any results from a session with low UVB tanning bed bulbs.
o
Finally, you may be able to find a true “high
pressure” tanning bed in your town to give a try. These mega beds
will have only the high pressure tanning bed bulbs, which are identified
by the square blue glass which filters all UVB. These are pure
bronzing beds for advanced tanners who maintain a dark tan year round
and are much more expensive to buy and to tan in a salon on a regular
basis.
o
Most home tanning beds will contain 100 watt
lamps and have 20 minute maximum session times with 5% UVB lamps.
If your tanning bed was originally a 30 minute bed, the new bulbs will
now make it a 20 minute maximum session. You may choose to install
the high intensity 100 watt lamps with a 8.5% UVB and should expect to
pay only $1 more than the 5% UVB bulbs.
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Tanning Bed Bulb Manufacturers
o
Wolff tanning bed bulbs
§
Although tanning beds were initially brought to America by
Friedrich Wolff in 1978, he soon patented his particular blend of
phosphors (since expired) and began licensing the technology to other
companies. Wolff Systems has since devoted all their resources into lamp
technology and development. Some of the early adopters of the Wolff
technology include ETS, Inc., SCA, Sun Industries, Inc., Montego Bay,
Sunal.
§
Later, Friedrich sold Wolff Systems to his brother Jorg Wolff, who
was the founder of Cosmedico, Ltd., another pioneer in the tanning
industry. Cosmedico’s Cosmolux VHR 9K90 family of tanning bed
bulbs are now installed in well over half of all 160 to 220 watt
ultra-bronzing beds manufactured today.
§ Several
companies continue to license the Wolff name and use their lamps because
of the name recognition, although this has steadily diminished over the
years as other lamp builders have created lamps that are arguably as
good as or better. Licensing is not required to use Wolff lamps, but it
is required to call a tanning bed a "Wolff System" and use the Wolff
System logo, a yellow circle with horizontal bars and the name "Wolff
Systems" in black. Tanning beds that use Wolff products but do not pay
royalties can use only the term "Powered by Wolff," which is unique in
the industry.
Tanning
bed health concerns
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Tanning beds and cancer
o
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the most prominent and universal
cancer-causing agent in our environment. The US Department
of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology
Program Report on Carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) states that UV
solar radiation, and use of sun lamps and sun beds are "known to be a
human carcinogen." Some scientists have suggested recently
that there may be an association between UVA radiation (the type of
radiation that makes up most of the radiation in tanning beds) and
malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.
There is persuasive evidence that each of the three main types of skin
cancer, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and
melanoma, is caused by sun exposure. Women who visited
a tanning parlor at least once a month were 55% more likely to later
develop melanoma than women who didn't artificially suntan. Those who
used sun lamps to tan while in their 20s had the greatest later risk,
about 150% higher than similarly aged women who shunned tanning beds.
-
World Health Organization
statement
o
Because of several alleged adverse effects on human health, the
World Health Organization does not recommend the
use of UV tanning devices for cosmetic reasons. For example, using a sun
bed without goggles may lead to a condition known as
arc
eye.
-
The sun vs tanning beds
o
The tan produced by a tanning bed is not as deep as a tan produced
in the sun. This is because tanning beds have higher overall levels of
UV than the sun on a typical day, so the exposure times are shorter than
the average session spent in the sun to achieve the same amount of tan.
This can cause someone with a dark indoor tan to go outside and get a
bad sunburn quickly because the deeper levels of their skin have not
been exposed previously, and have no natural protection above what white
skin would have. It is strongly recommended that a person does NOT tan
indoors and outdoors on the same day, due to the likely chance that they
will get overexposed. Because overexposure actually destroys melanin,
getting a sunburn will result in LESS tanning. The popular wisdom that
you "need to burn to tan" or that a sunburn will turn into a tan is
simply wrong, and greatly increases your chances for skin cancer later
in life.
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