What is Sunbed / Electric Tanning?
Sunbeds have been used for many years as a way of producing or maintaining a tan.
However as unprotected exposure to UV light can increase the risk of skin cancer in certain individuals, sunbeds should not be used excessively by: people under the age of 16; people who have a history of cancer (especially skin cancer); by people who have fair skin; white skin; freckles; moles or who burn easily. Those intending to use a sunbed to benefit skin conditions such as psoriasis or acne should seek medical advise before doing so. Fake tanning cosmetics are more popular than ever before due to this and treatments are offered at many salons.
Sunbeds are available in a variety of different shapes and sizes.
- A sunbed consists of a bed that is contoured to ensure even tanning on all sides of the body. The bed normally has an overhead canopy to eliminate the need for the client to turn over thus reducing treatment time.
- More widely available now are vertical tanning beds. These ask the client to stand for the treatment whilst the sun bed surrounds the body on all sides (almost like a room). This avoids contact of the skin with the sun bed which tends to cause perspiration. This is generally felt to be more hygienic.
Many sunbeds emit Ultra Violet A rays (UVA). These rays expand the pigment (Melanin) already in the skin therefore producing a short-term tan.
However these rays will damage the collagen and elastic of the skin and can contribute towards the formation of skin cancers.
A longer lasting tan will be produced with UVB rays. These rays stimulate the pigment (Melanin) in the skin to increase in production. However these rays will also cause thickening of the skins surface layers and is known to cause sunburn and skin cancers. For these reasons most sun beds only emit UVA rays.
There are a number of sun beds which emit both UVA and a small amount of UVB rays. These tend to produce a faster result requiring a shorter treatment time.
See
Sunless Tanning,
Spray Tanning or
Tanning with Lotions
Related Articles:
73% of People Don't Know The Meaning of UV!
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