Many people enjoy going to the tanning salon to get a golden glow and nice rich tan before they venture out during the summer. But what is it about tanning beds that give people such a desirable bronzed appearance? The answer lies within the tanning bed bulbs themselves.
About Tanning Bed Bulbs
The bulbs of the tanning bed produce UVA light that produces that golden tan. These bulbs are fluorescent and must be changed out over time just like other fluorescent bulbs when they begin to wear out. Bulbs that have become worn out will be less effective and will not provide the desirable results for customers. Low-pressure light bulbs will typically last anywhere between 300 and 1500 hours depending on the quality of the bulb. High-pressure bulbs generally last between 300 and 1000 hours. Tanning bulbs are rated by their manufacturer to tell how long they should last at their optimal level of effectiveness.
Types of Bulbs Available
When it comes to bulbs for tanning beds there are a couple options that people can choose from. The first option is the low-pressure bulb. This bulb is able to more naturally mimic pure sunlight. It has a high level of UVA and a very small amount of UVB. Bulbs that have high levels of UVB are more likely to cause burning rather and can be more dangerous to the skin so these types of bulbs should be avoided. Low-pressure beds are very popular because they give people a higher amount of vitamin D. One downside is that people generally need more time under the lights to develop a nice base tan and to keep up a current tan. The other option for tanning is to use a high-level bulb and bed. High-level bulbs have an even higher level of UVA which helps the rays penetrate more deeply into the skin. They also allow for faster tanning with fewer burns occurring. Since they produce deep rich tans people do not need to have as many sessions to achieve the look that they want.
Choosing Your Bulbs
Both the low-pressure bulbs and the high-pressure bulbs will produce a nice tan. Many people try both kinds to see how their skin responds before deciding which type of bulbs they want to use more permanently. When choosing a supplier always go with someone who specializes in tanning supplies and understand your needs.