Dangers of Tanning Beds Don't Scare Many Indoor Tanners

Tanning beds are cosmetic devices that use ultraviolet flight to to produce a tan-like skin reaction, without the use of lotions or tanning bronzers. Typical tanning beds include a varying amount of phosphor lamps that create UV light; depending on the complexity of the machine, the number of lamps varies, with commercial beds having more lamps. Very professional tanning beds incorporate quartz lamps instead of phosphor lamps, but they also need a combination of filters and reflectors for proper functioning.

As the name implies, tanning beds are used while tanners are in a prone position, in contrast to tanning booths where users must stand. One other major difference between tanning beds and booths is the higher power output generated by the latter.

Tanning beds are considered very controversial at present, as the World Health Organization warns against the use of such devices for cosmetic purposes. To give just an example of damage tanning beds can cause it is enough to say that eye protection is absolutely necessary because of the risk of eye injury. Negligence to follow the line of this safety procedure could trigger very serious health problems. One of the more serious consequences of indoor tanning is skin cancer, as you might guess. Statistics indicate that tanning beds are used differently in various parts of the globe, and the gap does exist even in the technical peculiarity of the devices. Americans seem to enjoy indoor tanning more than Europeans, and the tanning beds in American salons usually emit more UVB light than those present in Europe.

Tanning beds should not be used in combination with open sun exposure given the high risk of getting severe burn. The risk comes from the fact that tanning beds do not produce a deep base tan, and once you get on the beach, the profound skin layers would be defenseless to the aggressive action of the sun rays. Outdoor and indoor tanning could be alternated but not in the same day. Moreover, the applic ation of protective lotions and sunscreens stays compulsory; the element that could vary under the circumstances is the ultraviolet protection factor.