Top 22 How Many Watts Is A Tanning Bed Top Answer Update

You are looking for information, articles, knowledge about the topic nail salons open on sunday near me how many watts is a tanning bed on Google, you do not find the information you need! Here are the best content compiled and compiled by the Chewathai27.com team, along with other related topics such as: how many watts is a tanning bed how much does it cost to run a tanning bed at home, how much electricity does a tanning bed use, tanning beds for sale, level 1 tanning bed before and after, level 3 tanning bed before and after, sun bed size, level 3 tanning bed for sale, owning a tanning bed pros and cons

Most tanning beds are horizontal enclosures with a bench and canopy (lid) that house long, low-pressure fluorescent bulbs (100–200 watt) under an acrylic surface. The tanner is surrounded by bulbs when the canopy is closed. Modern tanning beds emit mostly UVA (the sun emits around 95% UVA and 5% UVB).Typically using 200W lamps that use an estimated 1 Amp of electrical current, the average 40-tube commercial sunbed uses about 40 Amps, roughly equivalent to 9.6kW. Our selection of home sunbeds are different for two reasons. Firstly, the average home sunbed will use a 100W lamp, rather than 200W.High-pressure bulbs are 3 to 5 inches long and typically powered by a ballast with 250 to 2,000 watts. The most common is the 400 watt variety that is used as an added face tanner in the traditional tanning bed.

How much power does a tanning bed use?

Typically using 200W lamps that use an estimated 1 Amp of electrical current, the average 40-tube commercial sunbed uses about 40 Amps, roughly equivalent to 9.6kW. Our selection of home sunbeds are different for two reasons. Firstly, the average home sunbed will use a 100W lamp, rather than 200W.

How many watts are tanning bed bulbs?

High-pressure bulbs are 3 to 5 inches long and typically powered by a ballast with 250 to 2,000 watts. The most common is the 400 watt variety that is used as an added face tanner in the traditional tanning bed.

Can I plug my tanning bed into my dryer outlet?

If you are looking to create a NEMA 5-20R outlet from your standard home outlet we offer a compact adapter [XH515520] that will do the trick. We can provide a solution for powering your bed using either style dryer outlet.

How many watts is a Level 4 tanning bed?

LEVEL 4 sunbeds offer the following:

600w high-pressure client-controlled facial and shoulder lamps. Built-in air conditioner and misty breeze for cooling comfort. Maintain your tan with 2 – 3 sessions per week.

Are tanning beds 120v or 240V?

The standard for tanning beds is 220 Volts, much like an electric dryer or oven range. It is very important to provide the proper power for your home tanning bed.

Are sunbeds hard on electricity?

The beds do not use excessive electricity. You can expect to pay 30-40 euro on your electricity bill, based on 1-4 people using the bed. It is good to note that it is the powering up of the bed that uses most electricity.

How many watts is a Level 2 tanning bed?

Level 2 – Bed/ Stand-up

SUNSOURCE Vhr – The unit features 16-160 watt canopy lamps and 16-100 watt bench lamps. 12 minute tan time. 252 ERGOLINE STAND UP – The 252 unit features 52-200 watt tanning lamps for that all around tan and eliminates the pressure points.

What light bulbs are used in tanning beds?

Fluorescent light bulbs are often used as tanning bed lamps. They are ideal for tanning because they emit certain levels of ultraviolet light that promotes skin tanning. A 100-watt fluorescent lamp is the most common type, but a 140-watt lamp also is used.

What are the best bulbs for a tanning bed?

5 Best Cheap Tanning Bulbs Detailed Review
  • Wolff Dark Tan II. I wish I knew about the Wolf Dark Tan II before all my awful experiences. …
  • X Power Twister Dual Face & Body Tanning Lamp. …
  • Wolff Bronzing Sun Plus. …
  • Cosmetic FST F71T12 100W Bi-Pin Full Spectrum Tanning Lamps. …
  • Brilliance Bronzer F-73.

Do I need a transformer for my tanning bed?

Most require a transformer (buck/boost) to keep the voltage at or very close to recommended voltage. Even with 240V they have you use the transformer or they won’t warranty the bed.

Do you need 3 phase power for sunbeds?

Most properties, no matter residential or commercial, have a single phase electrical supply. This allows you to run up to two sunbeds at once, without blowing up the main fuse. You need to call the Utility and ask them to upgrade your supply to 3 phase to run more than 2 beds.

Can you change a 220 tanning bed to 110?

You can convert a receptacle from 220 volts to 110 volts in one of two ways. The first is to use a 220 to 110 adapter. The other is to rewire the receptacle or install a new receptacle next to the old one and connect it to the 220-volt wiring.

What level is a 200 watt tanning bed?

Level 2 – Radius 252

It features 52 200 watt lamps. It is great for tanning under the arms and other hard to tan areas. Very popular and gives great results!

What is 20 minutes in a tanning bed equivalent to?

MYTH #5: 20 minutes in a tanning bed is equivalent to 20 minutes in the sun… no big deal! 20 minutes of exposure in a tanning bed may equal up to two hours spent on the beach under the hot mid-day sun without protection.

What does a Level 5 tanning bed do?

The level 5 tanning beds are our highest-intensity and highest-quality tanning beds. Sessions are six to ten times stronger than Level 1. Tanners who use the Instant level 5 beds can get a dark, natural base tan in only two to three sessions, making it the absolute fastest way to get a natural, golden glow.

How much does it cost to use a sun bed?

A ‘unit’ of electricity is 1 kilowatt hour, i.e. equivalent to running a 1000 Watt appliance for 1 hour, and costs around 8p. A 40 tube 200 watt sunbed uses 9.6 kilowatts so would cost around 77p to run for an hour.

Do you need 3 phase power for sunbeds?

Most properties, no matter residential or commercial, have a single phase electrical supply. This allows you to run up to two sunbeds at once, without blowing up the main fuse. You need to call the Utility and ask them to upgrade your supply to 3 phase to run more than 2 beds.

Do you have to have a buck booster for tanning bed?

While higher voltage results in more tanning power, you must keep the voltage below 240V for proper operation of the tanning bed. Once you have your voltage reading, please contact your tanning consultant to choose the correct Buck-Booster if required.

Can you use a commercial tanning bed at home?

Unlike regular residential models, commercial tanning beds are built for the special needs of businesses. For years homeowners have relied on Family Leisure to bring high-quality tanning beds to their homes; now business owners can use Family Leisure commercial tanning beds to meet their tanning needs!


How many amps is my tanning bed pulling?
How many amps is my tanning bed pulling?


Indoor tanning – Wikipedia

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Contents

Background[edit]

Devices[edit]

Lotions goggles[edit]

Prevalence[edit]

Reasons[edit]

Risks[edit]

Regulation[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

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Indoor tanning - Wikipedia
Indoor tanning – Wikipedia

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How Much Energy do Sunbeds Use?

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    Updating …
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    Updating When we think of sunbeds, we usually think of traditional commercial tanning beds which have long been blasted by environmentalists for their outrageous energy usage. Typically using 200W lamps that use an estimated 1 Amp of electrical current, the average 40-tube commercial sunbed uses about 40 Amps, roughly equivalen
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Tanning lamp – Wikipedia

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Contents

High-pressure bulbs[edit]

Low-pressure lamps[edit]

Ballasts[edit]

Low-pressure lamp sizes and powers[edit]

Lamp life[edit]

Lamp types[edit]

UV output rating[edit]

Lamp maintenance and replacement[edit]

Other uses[edit]

Mercury hazards[edit]

See also[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

External links[edit]

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Tanning lamp - Wikipedia
Tanning lamp – Wikipedia

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How to Power your Tanning Bed – AC Connectors

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    How to Power your Tanning Bed – AC Connectors
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    How to Power your Tanning Bed – AC Connectors
    Updating So, you got a home tanning bed and you don’t know how to power it?  First, you will need to determine if your bed requires a 120 Volt or a 240 Volt power source.  You will need to search the products user manual or product tags to figure out which type of voltage is required to run your specific tanning bed model.  It
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  How to Power your Tanning Bed – AC Connectors
How to Power your Tanning Bed – AC Connectors

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LEVELS OF TANNING BEDS AT THE GRAND PALMS? – The Grand Palms Tanning Resort & Sunless Spa

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LEVELS OF TANNING BEDS AT THE GRAND PALMS? - The Grand Palms Tanning Resort & Sunless Spa
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LEVELS OF TANNING BEDS AT THE GRAND PALMS? – The Grand Palms Tanning Resort & Sunless Spa

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How Much Energy do Sunbeds Use?

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    Typically using 200W lamps that use an estimated 1 Amp of electrical current, the average 40-tube commercial sunbed uses about 40 Amps, … …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How Much Energy do Sunbeds Use?
    Typically using 200W lamps that use an estimated 1 Amp of electrical current, the average 40-tube commercial sunbed uses about 40 Amps, … When we think of sunbeds, we usually think of traditional commercial tanning beds which have long been blasted by environmentalists for their outrageous energy usage. Typically using 200W lamps that use an estimated 1 Amp of electrical current, the average 40-tube commercial sunbed uses about 40 Amps, roughly equivalen
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Whats with all the wattage..? – TanToday – Tanning Salon Business Forum

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  • Summary of article content: Articles about Whats with all the wattage..? – TanToday – Tanning Salon Business Forum You can look at it this way. More and larger lamps use more electricity (Watts) to produce more tanning energy. So A base bed w/ 30 100W lamps … …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Whats with all the wattage..? – TanToday – Tanning Salon Business Forum You can look at it this way. More and larger lamps use more electricity (Watts) to produce more tanning energy. So A base bed w/ 30 100W lamps … Whats,all,wattage, Whats with all the wattage..?, forum,bbs,discussion,bulletin board, tan, tanning, tanning salon, tanning salon owner, salon owner, tanning lotion, tanning bed, lotion manufacturers, bed manufacturer, tanning salon marketingAs we research equipment and compare new beds to our current equipment mix.. I’m getting confused about how wattage reflects the tanning session. I’ve
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 Whats with all the wattage..? - TanToday - Tanning Salon Business Forum
Whats with all the wattage..? – TanToday – Tanning Salon Business Forum

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Power For Your Tanning Bed

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  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Power For Your Tanning Bed The standard for tanning beds is 220 Volts, much like an electric dryer or oven range. It is very important to prove the proper power for your … Tanning Beds with Free Express Shipping and Free tanning Lotions. We are largest supplier of residential tanning beds to the industry. We sell Wolff Tanning Beds, Commercial Beds, Used Tanning Beds and Red Light Therapy Tanning Beds.
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Power For Your Tanning Bed
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Tanning booth – wikidoc

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  • Summary of article content: Articles about Tanning booth – wikidoc Most tanning booths use the higher watt VHO and VHO-R lamp, which consume 160 watts, while most tanning beds use 100W HO lamps, although there … …
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Tanning | Tan Seekers

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  • Summary of article content: Articles about Tanning | Tan Seekers Bulbs/Watts: 32 x 160w Top 100w Bottom · Max. Time: 12 · Stronger bulbs for even faster dark tanning results · Great base building bed · 3 x 400 watt Ultra Pressure … …
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LEVEL II

LEVEL III

LEVEL IV

Tanning | Tan Seekers
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tanning booth – The Tanning Blog

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  • Summary of article content: Articles about tanning booth – The Tanning Blog Tanning booths generally use 160 watt VHO (Very High Output) or 180 watt VHO-R (Very High Output with Reflector) lamps which is similar to the Mediterranean … …
  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for tanning booth – The Tanning Blog Tanning booths generally use 160 watt VHO (Very High Output) or 180 watt VHO-R (Very High Output with Reflector) lamps which is similar to the Mediterranean … This article needs additional removed. (February 2012) A tanning booth is a device that emits tanning bed, but the design is such that it is intended to be used while standing up, rather than lying down. Tanning booth. Tanning booths generally use 160 watt VHO (Very High Output) or 180 watt VHO-R (Very High Output…
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[edit] Comparing to tanning beds

[edit] Common use

[edit] Risks

[edit] Regulation

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tanning booth – The Tanning Blog
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Electrical Requirements for Tanning Beds

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  • Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Electrical Requirements for Tanning Beds All 120 Volt tanning beds with 16 or less lamps require a NEMA 5-15R receptacle (pictured above left) and a dedicated 15 Amp circuit breaker, while all 120 Volt … Do you have questions about your tanning bed’s electrical requirements? Find the answers to all of your questions here!Tanning-Beds
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Electrical Requirements for Tanning Beds
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Tanning lamp – Wikipedia

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  • Summary of article content: Articles about Tanning lamp – Wikipedia Tanning lamps are the part of a tanning bed, booth or other tanning device which produces … They are plasma devices, like a neon sign, and will pass as much current … …
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Contents

High-pressure bulbs[edit]

Low-pressure lamps[edit]

Ballasts[edit]

Low-pressure lamp sizes and powers[edit]

Lamp life[edit]

Lamp types[edit]

UV output rating[edit]

Lamp maintenance and replacement[edit]

Other uses[edit]

Mercury hazards[edit]

See also[edit]

Footnotes[edit]

External links[edit]

Navigation menu

Tanning lamp - Wikipedia
Tanning lamp – Wikipedia

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Indoor tanning

Tanning using an artificial source of ultraviolet light

Indoor tanning involves using a device that emits ultraviolet radiation to produce a cosmetic tan.[a] Typically found in tanning salons, gyms, spas, hotels, and sporting facilities, and less often in private residences, the most common device is a horizontal tanning bed, also known as a sunbed or solarium. Vertical devices are known as tanning booths or stand-up sunbeds.

First introduced in the 1920s, indoor tanning became popular with people in the Western world, particularly in Scandinavia, in the late 1970s.[2] The practice finds a cultural parallel in skin whitening in Asian countries, and both support multibillion-dollar industries.[3] Most indoor tanners are women, 16–25 years old, who want to improve their appearance or mood, acquire a pre-holiday tan, or treat a skin condition.[4]

Across Australia, Canada, Northern Europe and the United States, 18.2% of adults, 45.2% of university students, and 22% of adolescents had tanned indoors in the previous year, according to studies in 2007–2012.[b] As of 2010 the indoor-tanning industry employed 160,000 in the United States, where 10–30 million tanners[c] visit 25,000 indoor facilities annually.[2] In the United Kingdom, 5,350 tanning salons were in operation in 2009.[7] From 1997 several countries and US states banned under-18s from indoor tanning.[8] The commercial use of tanning beds was banned entirely in Brazil in 2009 and Australia in 2015.[9] As of 1 January 2017 , thirteen U.S. states and one territory have banned under-18s from using them, and at least 42 states and the District of Columbia have imposed regulations, such as requiring parental consent.[10]

Indoor tanning is a source of UV radiation, which is known to cause skin cancer, including melanoma[11][12][13] and skin aging,[14] and is associated with sunburn, photodrug reactions, infections, weakening of the immune system, and damage to the eyes, including cataracts, photokeratitis (snow blindness) and eye cancer.[15][16][17] Injuries caused by tanning devices lead to over 3,000 emergency-room cases a year in the United States alone.[d] Physicians may use or recommend tanning devices to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, but the World Health Organization does not recommend their use for cosmetic purposes.[19][20] The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer includes tanning devices, along with ultraviolet radiation from the sun, in its list of group 1 carcinogens.[17] Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health found evidence of addiction to tanning in a 2017 paper.[21]

Background [ edit ]

Ultraviolet radiation [ edit ]

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, just beyond visible light. Ultraviolet wavelengths are 100 to 400 nanometres (nm, billionths of a metre) and are divided into three bands: A, B and C. UVA wavelengths are the longest, 315 to 400 nm; UVB are 280 to 315 nm, and UVC wavelengths are the shortest, 100 to 280 nm.[22][23][e]

About 95% of the UVR that reaches the earth from the sun is UVA and 5% UVB; no appreciable UVC reaches the earth. While tanning systems before the 1970s produced some UVC, modern tanning devices produce no UVC, a small amount of UVB and mostly UVA.[24][25] Classified by the WHO as a group 1 carcinogen,[26] UVR has “complex and mixed effects on human health”. While it causes skin cancer and other damage, including wrinkles, it also triggers the synthesis of vitamin D and endorphins in the skin.[23]

History [ edit ]

Sunlamp in the Netherlands, 1930

In 1890 the Danish physician Niels Ryberg Finsen developed a carbon arc lamp (“Finsen’s light” or a “Finsen lamp”) that produced ultraviolet radiation for use in skin therapy, including to treat lupus vulgaris.[27] He won the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work.[28][29]

Until the late 19th century in Europe and the United States, pale skin was a symbol of high social class among white people. Victorian women would carry parasols and wear wide-brimmed hats and gloves; their homes featured heavy curtains that kept out the sun. But as the working classes moved from country work to city factories, and to crowded, dark, unsanitary homes, pale skin became increasingly associated with poverty and ill health.[30] In 1923 Coco Chanel returned from a holiday in Cannes with a tan, later telling Vogue magazine: “A golden tan is the index of chic!” Tanned skin had become a fashion accessory.[31][32][33]

In parallel physicians began advising their patients on the benefits of the “sun cure”, citing its antiseptic properties. Sunshine was promoted as a treatment for depression, diabetes, constipation, pneumonia, high and low blood pressure, and many other ailments.[34] Home-tanning equipment was introduced in the 1920s in the form of “sunlamps” or “health lamps”, UV lamps that emitted a large percentage of UVB, leading to burns.[35] Friedrich Wolff, a German scientist, began using UV light on athletes, and developed beds that emitted 95% UVA and 5% UVB, which reduced the likelihood of burning. The world’s first tanning salon opened in 1977 in Berlin,[36] followed by tanning salons in Europe and North America in the late 1970s.[37] In 1978 Wolff’s devices began selling in the United States, and the indoor tanning industry was born.[38][39]

Devices [ edit ]

Lamps [ edit ]

Tanning lamps, also known as tanning bulbs or tanning tubes, produce the ultraviolet light in tanning devices. The performance (or output) varies widely between brands and styles. Most are low-pressure fluorescent tubes, but high-pressure bulbs also exist. The electronics systems and number of lamps affect performance, but to a lesser degree than the lamp itself. Tanning lamps are regulated separately from tanning beds in most countries, as they are the consumable portion of the system.

Beds [ edit ]

Most tanning beds are horizontal enclosures with a bench and canopy (lid) that house long, low-pressure fluorescent bulbs (100–200 watt) under an acrylic surface. The tanner is surrounded by bulbs when the canopy is closed. Modern tanning beds emit mostly UVA (the sun emits around 95% UVA and 5% UVB).[40] One review of studies found that the UVB irradiance of beds was on average lower than the summer sun at latitudes 37°S to 35°N, but that UVA irradiance was on average much higher.[41]

The user sets a timer (or it is set remotely by the salon operator), lies on the bed and pulls down the canopy. The maximum exposure time for most low-pressure beds is 15–20 minutes. Maximum times are set by the manufacturer according to how long it takes to produce four “minimal erythema doses” (MEDs), an upper limit laid down by the FDA.[42] An MED is the amount of UV radiation that will produce erythema (redness of the skin) within a few hours of exposure.[43]

High-pressure beds use smaller, higher-wattage quartz bulbs and emit a higher percentage of UVA.[44] They may emit 10–15 times more UVA than the midday sun,[37] and have a shorter maximum exposure time (typically 10–12 minutes). UVA gives an immediate, short-term tan by bronzing melanin in the skin, but no new melanin is formed. UVB has no immediate bronzing effect, but with a delay of 72 hours makes the skin produce new melanin, leading to tans of longer duration. UVA is less likely to cause burning or dry skin than UVB, but is associated with wrinkling and loss of elasticity because it penetrates deeper.[44]

Commercial tanning beds cost $6,000 to $30,000 as of 2006, with high-pressure beds at the high end.[45] One Manhattan chain was charging $10 to $35 per session in 2016, depending on the number, strength, and type of bulbs. This is known as level 1–6 tanning; level 1 involves a basic low-pressure bed with 36 x 100-watt bulbs.[citation needed] Depending on the quality of the bed, it may contain a separate facial tanner, shoulder tanners, a choice of tanning levels and UVA/UVB combinations, sound system, MP3 connection, aromatherapy, air conditioning, a misting option and voice guide. There are also open-air beds, in which the tanner is not entirely enclosed.[citation needed]

Booths [ edit ]

Tanning booths (also known as stand-up sunbeds) are vertical enclosures; the tanner stands during exposure, hanging onto straps or handrails, and is surrounded by tanning bulbs. In most models, the tanner closes a door, but there are open designs too. Some booths use the same electronics and lamps as tanning beds, but most have more lamps and are likely to use 100–160 watt lamps. They often have a maximum session of 7–15 minutes. There are other technical differences, or degrees of intensity, but for all practical intents, their function and safety are the same as a horizontal bed. Booths have a smaller footprint, which some commercial operators find useful. Some tanners prefer booths out of concern for hygiene, since the only shared surface is the floor.

Lotions, goggles [ edit ]

Goggles for indoor tanning

Before entering a tanning unit, the tanner usually applies indoor tanning lotion to the whole body and may use a separate facial-tanning lotion. These lotions are considerably more expensive than drugstore lotions. They contain no sunscreen, but instead moisturize the skin with ingredients such as aloe vera, hempseed oil and sunflower seed oil. They may also contain dihydroxyacetone, a sunless tanner. So-called “tingle” tanning lotions cause vasodilation, increasing blood circulation.[citation needed]

Goggles (eye protection) should be worn to avoid eye damage.[46] In one 2004 study, tanners said they avoided goggles to prevent leaving pale skin around the eyes.[47] In the US, CFR Title 21 requires that new tanning equipment come with eye protection and most states require that commercial tanning operators provide eye protection for their clients. Laws in other countries are similar.

Prevalence [ edit ]

Tanning-device use [ edit ]

Tanning booth

Indoor tanning is most popular with white females, 16–25 years old, with low-to-moderate skin sensitivity, who know other tanners.[48] Studies seeking to link indoor tanning to education level and income have returned inconsistent results. Prevalence was highest in one German study among those with a moderate level of education (neither high nor low).[49]

The late teens to early–mid 20s is the highest-prevalence age group.[49] In a national survey of white teenagers in 2003 in the US (aged 13–19), 24% had used a tanning facility.[50] Indoor-tanning prevalence figures in the US vary from 30 million each year to just under 10 million (7.8 million women and 1.9 million men).[c]

The figures in the US are in decline: according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, usage in the 18–29 age group fell from 11.3 percent in 2010 to 8.6 percent in 2013, perhaps attributable in part to a 10% “tanning tax” introduced in 2010.[6] Attitudes toward tanning vary across states; in one study, doctors in the northeast and midwest of the country were more likely than those in the south or west to recommend tanning beds to treat vitamin D deficiency and depression.[51]

Tanning bed use is more prevalent in northern countries.[51] In Sweden in 2001, 44% said they had used one (in a survey of 1,752 men and women aged 18–37). Their use increased in Denmark between 1994 and 2002 from 35% to 50% (reported use in the previous two years). In Germany, between 29% and 47% had used one, and one survey found that 21% had done so in the previous year. In France, 15% of adults in 1994–1995 had tanned indoors; the practice was more common in the north of France.[52] In 2006, 12% of grade 9–10 students in Canada had used a tanning bed in the last year.[53] In 2004, 7% of 8–11-year-olds in Scotland said they had used one.[54] Tanning bed use is higher in the UK in the north of England.[52] One study found that the prevalence was lower in London than in less urban areas of the country.[51]

Density of facilities [ edit ]

Tanning facilities are ubiquitous in the US, although the figures are in decline. In a study in the US published in 2002, there was a higher density in colder areas with a lower median income and higher proportion of whites.[55] A study in 1997 found an average of 50.3 indoor-tanning facilities in 20 US cities (13.89 facilities for every 100,000 residents); the highest was 134 in Minneapolis, MN, and the lowest four in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 2006 a study of 116 cities in the US found 41.8 facilities on average, a higher density than either Starbucks or McDonald’s.[56] Of the country’s 125 top colleges and universities in 2014, 12% had indoor-tanning facilities on campus and 42.4% in off-campus housing, 96% of the latter free of charge to the tenants.[57]

There are fewer professional salons than tanning facilities; the latter includes tanning beds in gyms, spas and similar. According to the FDA, citing the Indoor Tanning Association, there were 25,000 tanning salons in 2010 in the US (population 308.7 million in 2010).[f][58] Mailing-list data suggest there were 18,200 in September 2008 and 12,200 in September 2015, a decline of 30 percent. According to Chris Sternberg of the American Suntanning Association, the figures are 18,000 in 2009 and 9,500 in 2016.[59]

The South West Public Health Observatory found 5,350 tanning salons in the UK in 2009: 4,492 in England (population 52.6 million in 2010), 484 in Scotland (5.3 million), 203 in Wales (3 million) and 171 in Northern Ireland (1.8 million).[7][60]

Reasons [ edit ]

Overview [ edit ]

Tanning lamps

Reasons cited for indoor tanning include improving appearance, acquiring a pre-holiday tan, feeling good and treating a skin condition.[4] Tanners often cite feelings of well-being; exposure to tanning beds is reported to “increase serum beta-endorphin levels by 44%”. Beta-endorphin is associated with feelings of relaxation and euphoria, including “runner’s high”.[28]

Improving appearance is the most-cited reason. Studies show that tanned skin has semiotic power, signifying health, beauty, youth and the ability to seduce.[61] Women, in particular, say not only that they prefer their appearance with tanned skin, but that they receive the same message from friends and family, especially from other women.[citation needed] They believe tanned skin makes them look thinner and more toned, and that it covers or heals skin blemishes such as acne. Other reasons include acquiring a base tan for further sunbathing; that a uniform tan is easier to achieve in a tanning unit than in the sun, and a desire to avoid tan lines.[62][63] Proponents of indoor tanning say that tanning beds deliver more consistent, predictable exposure than the sun, but studies show that indoor tanners do suffer burns. In two surveys in the US in 1998 and 2004, 58% of indoor tanners said they had been burned during sessions.[64][65]

Vitamin D [ edit ]

Vitamin D is produced when the skin is exposed to UVB, whether from sunlight or an artificial source.[g] It is needed for mineralization of bone and bone growth. Areas in which vitamin D’s role is being investigated include reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and glucose dysregulation.[50] Exposing arms and legs to a minimal 0.5 erythemal (mild sunburn) UVB dose is equal to consuming about 3000 IU of vitamin D3. In a study in Boston, MA, researchers found that adults who used tanning beds had “robust” levels of 25(OH)D (46 ng/mL on average), along with higher hip bone density, compared to adults who did not use them.[67]

Obtaining vitamin D from indoor tanning has to be weighed against the risk of developing skin cancer.[66] The indoor-tanning industry has stressed the relationship between tanning and the production of vitamin D.[23] According to the US National Institutes of Health, some researchers have suggested that “5–30 minutes of sun exposure between 10 AM and 3 PM at least twice a week to the face, arms, legs, or back without sunscreen usually lead to sufficient vitamin D synthesis and that the moderate use of commercial tanning beds that emit 2%–6% UVB radiation is also effective”.[66][68] Most researchers say the health risks outweigh the benefits, that the UVB doses produced by tanning beds exceed what is needed for adequate vitamin D production, and that adequate vitamin D levels can be achieved by taking supplements and eating fortified foods.[23][69][70]

Medical use [ edit ]

Certain skin conditions, including keratosis, psoriasis, eczema and acne, may be treated with UVB light therapy, including by using tanning beds in commercial salons. Using tanning beds allows patients to access UV exposure when dermatologist-provided phototherapy is not available. A systematic review of studies, published in Dermatology and Therapy in 2015, noted that moderate sunlight is a treatment recommended by the American National Psoriasis Foundation, and suggested that clinicians consider UV phototherapy and tanning beds as a source of that therapy.[19]

When UV light therapy is used in combination with psoralen, an oral or topical medication, the combined therapy is referred to as PUVA.[71][72] A concern with the use of commercial tanning is that beds that primarily emit UVA may not treat psoriasis effectively. One study found that plaque psoriasis is responsive to erythemogenic doses of either UVA or UVB. It does require more energy to reach erythemogenic dosing with UVA.[19]

Risks [ edit ]

Skin cancer [ edit ]

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), whether from the sun or tanning devices is known to be a major cause of the three main types of skin cancer: non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) and melanoma.[12][73][74] Overexposure to UVR induces at least two types of DNA damage: cyclobutane–pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and 6–4 photoproducts (6–4PPs). While DNA repair enzymes can fix some mutations, if they are not sufficiently effective, a cell will acquire genetic mutations which may cause the cell to die or become cancerous. These mutations can result in cancer, aging, persistent mutation and cell death.[12] For example, squamous cell carcinoma can be caused by a UVB-induced mutation in the p53 gene.[75]

Non-melanoma skin cancer includes squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and is more common than melanoma. With early detection and treatment, it is typically not life-threatening.[76][77] Prevalence increases with age, cumulative exposure to UV, and proximity to the equator. It is most prevalent in Australia, where the rate is 1,000 in 100,000 and where, as of 2000, it represented 75 percent of all cancers.[78]

Melanoma accounts for approximately one percent of skin cancer, and causes most of skin cancer-related deaths.[79] The average age of diagnosis is 63,[80] and it is the most common cancer in the 25–29 age group and the second most common in the 15-29 group, which may be due in part to the increased UV exposure and use of indoor tanning observed in this population.[81][82][83] In the United States, the melanoma incidence rate was 22.3 per 100,000, based on 2010-2014 data from the National Institutes of Health Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, and the death rate was 2.7 per 100,000.[84] 9,730 people were estimated to die of melanoma in the United States in 2017, and these numbers are anticipated to continue rising.[84][85][h] Although 91.7% of patients diagnosed with melanoma survive beyond 5-years, advanced melanoma is largely incurable, and only 19.9% percent of patients with metastatic disease survive beyond 5 years.[84] An international meta-analysis performed in 2014 estimates that annually, 464,170 cases of skin cancer can be attributed to exposure to indoor tanning.[86]

A 2012 analysis of epidemiological studies found a 20% increase in the risk of melanoma (a relative risk of 1.20) among those who had ever used a tanning device compared to those who had not, and a 59% percent increase (a relative risk of 1.59) among those who had used one before age 35.[87] Additionally, a 2014 systematic review and meta-analysis found that indoor tanners had a 16 percent increased risk of developing melanoma, which increased to 23 percent for North Americans. For those who started tanning indoors before age 25, their risk further increased to 35% compared to those who began after age 25.[88]

Other risks [ edit ]

Exposure to UV radiation is associated with skin aging, wrinkle production, liver spots, loss of skin elasticity, erythema (reddening of the skin), sunburn, photokeratitis (snow blindness),[16] ocular melanoma (eye cancer),[26] and infections.[15] Tanning beds can contain many microbes, some of which are pathogens that can cause skin infections and gastric distress. In one study in New York in 2009, the most common pathogens found on tanning beds were Pseudomonas spp. (aeruginosa and putida), Bacillus spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterobacter cloacae.[89] Several prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including antidepressants, antibiotics, antifungals and anti-diabetic medication, can cause photosensitivity, which makes burning the skin while tanning more likely. This risk is increased by a lack of staff training in tanning facilities.[90]

Young people [ edit ]

Tanning bed in operation

Children and adolescents who use tanning beds are at greater risk because of biological vulnerability to UV radiation. Epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to artificial tanning increases the risk of malignant melanoma and that the longer the exposure, the greater the risk, particularly in individuals exposed before the age of 30 or who have been sunburned.[37][91]

One study conducted among college students found that awareness of the risks of tanning beds did not deter the students from using them.[92] Teenagers are frequent targets of tanning industry marketing, which includes offers of coupons and placing ads in high-school newspapers.[93] Members of the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce commissioned a “sting” operation in 2012, in which callers posing as a 16-year-old woman who wanted to tan for the first time called 300 tanning salons in the US. Staff reportedly failed to follow FDA recommendations, denied the risks of tanning, and offered misleading information about benefits.[37]

Addiction [ edit ]

Addiction to indoor tanning has been recognized as a psychiatric disorder. The disorder is characterized as excessive indoor tanning that causes the subject personal distress; it has been associated with anxiety, eating disorders and smoking.[37][94] The media has described the addiction as tanorexia.[95] According to the Canadian Pediatric Society, “repeated UVR exposures, and the use of indoor tanning beds specifically, may have important systemic and behavioural consequences, including mood changes, compulsive disorders, pain and physical dependency.”[15]

Regulation [ edit ]

Australia [ edit ]

Commercial tanning services are banned in all states, except the Northern Territory where no salons are in operation.[9] Private ownership of tanning beds is permitted.[96]

Brazil [ edit ]

Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency banned the use of tanning beds for cosmetic purposes in 2009, making that country the first to enact a ban.[97] It followed a 2002 ban on minors using the beds.[8]

Canada [ edit ]

Indoor tanning is prohibited for under-18s in British Columbia,[98] Alberta,[99] Manitoba,[100] Saskatchewan,[101] Ontario,[102] Quebec,[103][104] and Prince Edward Island;[105] and for under-19s in New Brunswick,[106] Nova Scotia,[107] Newfoundland and Labrador,[108] and the Northwest Territories.[109] Health Canada recommends against the use of tanning equipment.[110]

European Union [ edit ]

In 1997 France became the first country to ban minors from indoor tanning. Under-18s are similarly prohibited in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Poland and the United Kingdom.[8][111] In addition, Ireland prohibits salons from offering “happy hour” discounts.[111]

New Zealand [ edit ]

In New Zealand, indoor tanning is regulated by a voluntary code of practice. Salons are asked to turn away under-18s, those with type 1 skin (fair skin that burns easily or never tans), people who experienced episodes of sunburn as children, and anyone taking certain medications, with several moles, or who has had skin cancer. Tanners are asked to sign a consent form, which includes health information and advice about the importance of wearing goggles. Surveys have found a high level of non-compliance.[112][113] The government has carried out bi-annual surveys of tanning facilities since 2012.[114]

United States [ edit ]

Inside a tanning bed

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies tanning beds as “moderate risk” devices (changed in 2014 from “low risk”). It requires that devices carry a black box warning that they should not be used by individuals under the age of 18, but it has not banned their use by minors.[115] As of 1 January 2017 , the California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Vermont and Washington have banned the use of tanning beds for minors under the age of 18. Other states strictly regulate indoor tanning under the age of 18, with most banning indoor tanning for persons under the age of 14 unless medically required, and some requiring the consent of a guardian for those aged 14–17.[10] In 2010 under the Affordable Care Act, a 10% “tanning tax” was introduced, which is added to the fees charged by tanning facilities; it was expected to raise $2.7 billion for health care over ten years.[116]

Tanning beds are regulated in the United States by the federal government’s Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR 1040.20).[117] This is designed to ensure that the devices adhere to a set of safety rules, with the primary focus on sunbed and lamp manufacturers regarding maximum exposure times and product equivalence. Additionally, must have a “Recommended Exposure Schedule” posted on both the front of the tanning bed and in the owners’ manual, and list the original lamp that was certified for that particular tanning bed. Salon owners are required to replace the lamps with either exactly the same lamp, or a lamp that is certified by the lamp manufacturer to be.

States control regulations for salons, regarding operator training, sanitization of sunbeds and eyewear, and additional warning signs. Many states also ban or regulate the use of tanning beds by minors under the age of 18.[10]

American osteopathic physician Joseph Mercola was prosecuted in 2016 by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for selling tanning beds to “reverse your wrinkles” and “slash your risk of cancer”.[118][119] The settlement meant that consumers who had purchased the devices were eligible for refunds totalling $5.3 million.[119] Mercola had falsely claimed that the FDA “endorsed indoor tanning devices as safe”, and had failed to disclose that he had paid the Vitamin D Council for its endorsement of his devices. The FTC said that it was deceptive for the defendants to fail to disclose that tanning is not necessary to produce vitamin D.[119][120]

See also [ edit ]

Notes [ edit ]

References [ edit ]

Bibliography [ edit ]

Book chapters are cited in short form above and long form below. All other sources are cited above only.

How Much Energy do Sunbeds Use?

When we think of sunbeds, we usually think of traditional commercial tanning beds which have long been blasted by environmentalists for their outrageous energy usage. Typically using 200W lamps that use an estimated 1 Amp of electrical current, the average 40-tube commercial sunbed uses about 40 Amps, roughly equivalent to 9.6kW.

Our selection of home sunbeds are different for two reasons. Firstly, the average home sunbed will use a 100W lamp, rather than 200W. Secondly, home tanning beds are used intermittently. UK advice is currently a maximum of 3 sessions with at least 48 hours between sessions. A session will usually last between 3 minutes and 10 minutes depending on skin type.

With this intermittent usage, research undertaken by the UK Government has found that the average annual energy consumption of a home sunbed is just 0.2kWh. Compare this to everyday appliances that homeowners rarely think twice about using – a baby monitor at 8.8kWh, a hairdryer at 19.6kWh, a charger at 26kWh, a fan at 46.1kWh, or a doorbell at 52.4kWh – and it’s clear to see that home sunbeds aren’t the enemy here.

Selecting the Right Sunbed

Of course, not all home sunbeds were created equal, so it’s important to look for features that can help a sunbed fit in with a responsible, green lifestyle. Consider:

Dedicated low energy models

Dynamic electronic ballasts to limit current usage

Energy efficient lighting

Integrated energy-saving settings

Power consumption does vary considerably from sunbed to sunbed, but all relevant power and voltage information should be displayed to help you make a smart decision.

Added Benefits

Home sunbeds that use less energy come with an additional benefit that appeals to most of us making green changes in our homes: better energy bill management.

With the average cost of electricity in the UK currently standing at between 13.86p and 15.60p per kWh depending on location, a 24 tube, 100W lamp home sunbed in even the most expensive region costs just 37.44p per hour, or 0.624p per minute to run.

This equates to:

1.9 pence per 3 minute session

3.7 pence per 6 minute session

5.6 pence per 9 minute session

7.5 pence per 12 minute session

9.4 pence per 15 minute session

Green Tanning

Sunbed technology has advanced significantly over recent years, and the old commercial tanning booths we think of today aren’t the modern reality. When choosing the right home sunbed – one that’s designed to minimise energy consumption without compromising on safety, experience, or performance – it is evident sunbeds can be part of a green lifestyle. They’re no longer something eco warriors need to avoid.

Tanning lamp

“Sun lamp” redirects here. For lights used in horticulture, see grow light

Typical tanning lamp with F71T12 markings. This example is a 71-inch, bi-pin, 100 watt model, the most common.

Inside a preheat, bi-pin tanning lamp

A high-pressure tanning lamp under power

Tanning lamps (sometimes called tanning bulbs in the United States or tanning tubes in Europe) are the part of a tanning bed, booth or other tanning device which produces ultraviolet light responsible for indoor tanning. There are hundreds of different kinds of tanning lamps most of which can be classified in two basic groups: low pressure and high pressure. Within the industry, it is common to call high-pressure units “bulbs” and low-pressure units “lamps”, although there are many exceptions and not everyone follows this example. This is likely due to the size of the unit, rather than the type. Both types require an oxygen free environment inside the lamp.

Fluorescent tanning lamps require an electrical ballast to limit the amount of current going through the lamp. While the resistance of an incandescent lamp filament inherently limits the current inside the lamp, tanning lamps do not and instead have negative resistance. They are plasma devices, like a neon sign, and will pass as much current as the external circuit will provide, even to the point of self-destruction.[1] Thus a ballast is needed to regulate the current through them.

Tanning lamps are installed in a tanning bed, tanning booth, tanning canopy or free standing single bulb tanning unit. The quality of the tan (or how similar it is to a tan from the natural sun) depends upon the spectrum of the light that is generated from the lamps.

High-pressure bulbs [ edit ]

Typical high-pressure bulb. Note the small specks, which are mercury droplets. This is the more common 400W “clip in” or ceramic style.

High-pressure bulbs are 3 to 5 inches long and typically powered by a ballast with 250 to 2,000 watts. The most common is the 400 watt variety that is used as an added face tanner in the traditional tanning bed. High-pressure lamps use quartz glass, and as such do not filter UVC. Because UVC can be deadly, a special dichroic filter glass (usually purple) is required that will filter out the UVC and UVB. The goal with high-pressure tanning bulbs is to produce a high amount of UVA only. Unfiltered light from a high-pressure lamp is rich in UVC used in germicidal lamps, for water purification, but it damages human skin.

The contents of a high-pressure lamp are inert gas (such as argon) and mercury.[2] There are no phosphors used, and the mercury is clearly visible if it is not in a gaseous state. During installation, even a small amount of oil from fingertips can cause the quartz envelope to fail in operation. Most commercial replacement bulbs come with a special pocket wipe, usually containing alcohol, to clean the bulb in case it is accidentally touched during installation. Because the bulb contains mercury, great care should be used if a bulb is broken, to prevent accidental contact or vapor exposure.

Low-pressure lamps [ edit ]

Like all fluorescent lamps, low-pressure tanning lamps have a ballast to start the lamps and limit the flow of current. The plasma of excited mercury atoms inside the lamp emits ultraviolet light directly. The lamps are coated on the inside with special phosphors. Unlike high-pressure lamps, the glass that is used in low-pressure lamps filters out all UVC. Once the plasma is fully formed, the plasma strips away the outer electrons from the mercury; when these electrons return to a lower energy level, visible and ultraviolet light is emitted. Some of the short-wave ultraviolet excites the phosphors, which then emits photons in the proper spectrum for tanning.

Ballasts [ edit ]

Ballast used in most tanning beds. Requires a lamp starter (below) and large capacitors.

In the older style (but still most popular) “choke ballast”, each end of the lamp has its own cathode and anode, however, once the lamp has started, the plasma flows from one end of the lamp to the other, with each end acting as a single cathode or anode. The starter is a plasma switch itself, and temporarily connects the cathode on one end of the lamp to the anode on the other end of the lamp, causing the lamp ends to heat up quickly, or “preheat”. Many F71 lamps are still called “pre-heat bi-pin” for this reason.

Newer electronic systems work differently and always treat one end of the lamp as a cathode and one end as an anode. Whereas the choke style always works at 230 V AC at 60 Hz (220–240 V AC/50 Hz in Europe[3]), newer electronics work very differently. This includes magnetic, pure solid state, and high frequency ballasts. These new ballasts operate at voltages up to 600 V AC, and at 20,000 Hz, with some high frequency ballasts operating as high as 100,000 Hz or higher. This allows the ballast to energize the lamp with more than raw power, and instead operates using a combination of electrical force and induction. This allows a 100 watt lamp to fully light with as little as 65 watts.

S12 lamp starter.

The disadvantage of the newer electronics is price. It can cost 3 to 5 times more per lamp to use electronic ballasts than traditional choke ballasts, which is why choke ballasts are still used in the majority of new tanning systems. Another disadvantage of the older style choke ballast is they are designed for European electricity, and require incoming voltage in the range of 220 V AC and 230 V AC. Most US homes have 110 V service and businesses use 208 V three-phase service that requires these beds to use a buck-boost transformer in order to receive the proper voltage. Too low a voltage will result in the lamp starter not letting the lamp ignite (or at the least, very slowly) whereas too high a voltage can lead to premature failure in the starters and lamps. The average cost of these transformers is $200 to $250. While this makes the newer electronics cost about the same for the typical tanning bed, buckboost transformers are usually sold separately, so the total cost is not always obvious to the consumer at first glance.

Schematic for Choke Ballasts: Note the use of one ballast per lamp, one lamp starter per lamp and a capacitor. Tanning beds may use 1 or several capacitors, depending on rating. These systems require 230 V AC

Schematic for HF Ballasts: It is much simpler as everything is self-contained. The main disadvantage is price, costing several times more than a choke ballast. They can be configured to run on 120 V or 230 V.

Low-pressure lamp sizes and powers [ edit ]

Tanning lamps come in several configurations which are considered standards within the industry, including:

F59 and F60 – 80 watt lamps (shorter lamps to go in front of face tanning “buckets”)

– 80 watt lamps (shorter lamps to go in front of face tanning “buckets”) F71, F72, F73, F74 – Typically 100 W, although some F74 are 120 W.

– Typically 100 W, although some F74 are 120 W. F71 – 160 W versions of the F71 for use in more expensive salon equipment, but a special ballast is required.

– 160 W versions of the F71 for use in more expensive salon equipment, but a special ballast is required. F71 – 200 W versions of the F71 for use in more expensive salon equipment, but a special ballast is required.

– 200 W versions of the F71 for use in more expensive salon equipment, but a special ballast is required. F59 – 140 W versions, shorter versions of the above lamp

– 140 W versions, shorter versions of the above lamp F79, 2M – 200 W (2 metres) used only in very expensive tanning booths and beds.

The power listing for lamps is not absolute, as you can drive a lamp with less power than listed if you use certain solid state ballasts. You can also use a 160 W lamp with a 100 W ballast, although there are no advantages to this. Using a 100 W lamp with a 160 W ballast, however, can lead to quick failure as the cathode/anode of some 100 W lamps can not take the extra power. The lamps will operate at any frequency (50 Hz to 120,000 Hz or higher). However, the ballasts and other electrical systems on the tanning bed are sensitive to frequency.

Lamp life [ edit ]

Like all fluorescent lamps, the low-pressure lamps will burn for a long period of time. They will, however, lose their ability to produce a reasonable amount of UV after a short while. Typical lifespans for low-pressure lamps are from 300 to 1,600 hours of actual use although they may light and produce very little UV for as much as 5000 hours. High-pressure lamps range from 300 to 1,000 hours, and should be replaced when they have reached their maximum life to prevent any possible damage to the ballast,[4] although this is very rare. Lamp manufacturers generally rate the “life” of the lamp to be the period of time that the lamp will continue to emit at least 70% to 80% of the initial UV.

Lamp types [ edit ]

In addition to standard lamps, there are also lamps with reflectors built inside. This is accomplished by taking the raw glass before any phosphor is used and pouring a white, opaque, highly reflective chemical on the inside of the lamp. This is done only on a certain percentage of the lamp, such as 210 degrees or 180 degrees, so that the remaining lamp is NOT coated. After this coating has dried or has been treated to ensure it will stick to the surface of the glass (using heat, for example) the lamp is coated on the inside with the phosphor blend as usual. Anywhere from 3 to 5 different chemicals are typically used in a blend, with the actual proportions and chemicals closely guarded as trade secrets.

The 100 watt version of a reflector lamp is typically called a RUVA (Reflector UVA) or less commonly HO-R (High Output – Reflector). The 160 watt version are called VHO-R (Very High Output – Reflector). The name “VHR” describe 160 W reflector lamps and is a registered trademark of Cosmedico, Ltd. There are many other variations of low-pressure tanning lamps including 26 watt, 80 watt, and 200 watt to name a few.

UV output rating [ edit ]

This is one of the most confusing aspects of tanning lamps in North America, as lamps in the US are not rated for their total output, but rather their ratio of UVA to UVB. Most people could be led to believe that a 6.5% lamp is stronger than a 5% lamp, while both lamps might have the same total UV output (or the 5% could even be stronger across the spectrum).

As such, UVA vs UVB rating on lamps only tells you the relative amount of UV, making a 5% lamp really a lamp whose UV spectrum is 5% UVB and 95% UVA.[5] There are no accepted published numbers for rating the overall power for lamps, except the TE (time exposure), which is almost as useless for making comparisons.

The TE isn’t generally published, although it is usually available from the lamp manufacturer on request. Because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) biases tests against UVB, the TE may make a weaker lamp appear stronger by having more UVB. Furthermore, although tanning beds are rated with exposure times, tanning lamps are not because beds can vary widely as to how a given lamp affects the user, making it difficult or impossible to compare the total UV output of different low-pressure lamps.

The UVB to UVA ratio percentage is considered a technologically outdated form of measuring a lamp’s overall UV output and Wolff “Metric” now lists actual UVA, UVB and total UV flux powers. This is the best way of measuring a low-pressure and high-pressure lamp. Wolff measured lamp outputs are listed here[6] If you are purchasing a lamp from any manufacturer always ask for actual flux power output, as UVA to UVB ratios tell very little.

Lamp maintenance and replacement [ edit ]

Typical output curve of a 1,000-hour-rated low-pressure tanning lamp. At 1,000 hours, the output becomes less than 70% of rated power.

Tanning lamps are virtually maintenance free, but must be kept clean, as UV can easily be blocked by dust drawn in from the cooling system (or from improperly cleaned acrylics shields). Most manufacturers recommend wiping the lamps and other internals clean every 200 to 300 hours of operation. Most salons will replace their tanning lamps once per year, while home tanning bed owners can expect 3 to 5 years of use. This depends solely on the number of hours the lamps have been used and the rated life of the lamp, which varies from model to model.

High-pressure lamps must be handled very carefully, as any oil from the skin that is left on the bulb can cause the bulb to overheat and lead to early failure. The filter glass must also be handled carefully as it is extremely fragile by its nature. These should only be cleaned with special chemicals designed for this purpose. Operating any tanning equipment that uses high-pressure bulbs without the special filter glass is extremely dangerous, and illegal in a salon, due to the high amount of UVC generated in the bulbs.

The amount of UV that is generated from a low-pressure lamp is highly dependent on the temperature in the tanning unit. As a rule, tanning lamps produce the highest amount of ultraviolet light when this temperature is between 90 and 110 °F (32 and 43 °C). As the temperature moves away from this range, the amount of UV produced is reduced. Cooling systems for tanning equipment are usually designed to maintain a range of temperature instead of providing maximum airflow for this reason. Higher temperatures will also reduce the expected life of the tanning lamp. This is why it is important to perform regular maintenance, including checking cooling fans and insuring that vent holes are not blocked. The owners manual for the tanning equipment is the best source for maintenance schedules and methods.

Other uses [ edit ]

In addition to their use in tanning, tanning lamps are used for the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo.

Mercury hazards [ edit ]

All fluorescent lamps contain mercury, and at this time, no suitable replacement has been found. Many US states have banned disposal of lamps containing mercury,[7] and have established regulations requiring that lamps containing mercury are identified as such. This has not caused problems for manufacturers, however, as lamps are not produced locally, and often not in the US. There have been several efforts to label all lamps that contain mercury with a universally accepted symbol, Hg.[8] Old lamps should be handled as would be any hazardous material in your locality, and persons should take special precautions when dealing with broken lamps to avoid contact with mercury. This is particularly true for pregnant women.[9] These laws and guidelines are not unique to tanning lamps, and apply to all fluorescent lamps, other lamps that contain mercury, as well as other products that contain mercury with the exception of pharmaceuticals.[10] Proper disposal or recycling will prevent the small mercury content of the lamps from entering the environment.

See also [ edit ]

So you have finished reading the how many watts is a tanning bed topic article, if you find this article useful, please share it. Thank you very much. See more: how much does it cost to run a tanning bed at home, how much electricity does a tanning bed use, tanning beds for sale, level 1 tanning bed before and after, level 3 tanning bed before and after, sun bed size, level 3 tanning bed for sale, owning a tanning bed pros and cons

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