Salon Tanning Bed - what can you expect?

You can get a tan by lying in the sun for varying times, depending on the time of year and the weather, or by using a tanning bed or booth for specific times. There is no question that for those who prefer to have a tan, the convenience and control afforded by a tanning bed is preferable to the quirks of the weather. Because both ways of acquiring a tan have some danger attached, it might be better to make use of the experts who operate a salon tanning bed.

Proper use of salon tanning beds

The Food and Drug Administration has set standards for the manufacture and use of the professional tanning beds. The makers of the tanning beds calculate the maximum exposure times using the time needed to produce four minimal erythemal doses (MED). This is about the equivalent of four times the amount of ultraviolet radiation needed to produce a reddening of the skin. For most manufacturers, the maximum time is about 20 minutes.

Caution with salon tanning

Most experts recommend that a person begin with short sessions and work up to the maximum, usually over the course of four weeks. Tanning proponents believe that the buildup of a tan helps protect the skin from the damaging effects of UV rays. They advise a good tan from a salon tanning bed before going into the summer sun. A label stating the “Recommended Exposure Schedule” is required by law to be posted on both the front of the salon tanning bed and in the owner’s manual.

Tanning beds should have timers

Timers are also required for the salon tanning bed. These timers are supposed to be set by attendants. Timers manufactured for use in the salon tanning bed are not able to be reset past the maximum exposure time and cannot be reset to a greater time if the session is stopped and restarted. The presence of trained attendants is a bonus in using a salon tanning bed since the heat of the tanning lamps can often make the user fall asleep. Trained attendants can also help recognize skin types that are more likely to be damaged by UV rays.

You can burn from a salon tanning as much as from the sun

Melanin, which creates the tan to protect the skin, is produced by melanocytes. Everyone has the same number of melanocytes but heredity dictates how much melanin is made by someone’s melanocytes. The lighter the skin tones, the more easily one burns and those with the lightest skin, sometimes called “Celtic” will burn without tanning. While normal sensible precautions should be taken, those who choose to tan might want to take advantage of the advantages of the salon tanning bed.