Safe Tanning Using A Tanning Bed

There are plenty of us that feel healthier when our skin is tanned. If you want a tan the choices come down to a fake-tan product, laying in the sun, or a tanning bed.

One of the benefits of using a tanning bed is that it does not matter what the weather is doing outside - sun-bathing outside rarely being an agreeable thing to do in winter. Another positive thing is that using a tanning bed means that you can time the amount of exposure you are getting - tanning beds are no different from the sun when it comes to giving off damaging rays.

Tanning beds use artificial light and need to be properly understood in order that they provide safe tanning. The claims in some advertising that say that these beds are totally safe in comparison to the sun are not true. So find out how you can tan yourself safely.

To understand why you hear the safe-tan claim made for sun beds, we need to detour into a little science. Sunlight is made up of ultraviolet light - this is what leads to the tan. Scientists divide this light into UVa and UVb light, with UVb causing burning more easily that UVa. Early tanning machines were UVb sources, which was fairly harmful, and all modern machines are UVa sources, which is more healthy. Though it is true that chances of burning quickly are less with UVa, it is wrong to suggest that this form of ultraviolet light is safe. It is still important to keep a watchful eye on the clock when using a UVa tanning bed.

Another false claim that you should ignore is the idea that UV-A tanning beds do not damage your eyes so you do not need to wear goggles. They do, and you should always wear protective goggles (not sunglasses, not simply keeping your eyes closed, and not some bits of cotton wool!) - the FDA has made this a rule for all tanning salons, so your salon should insist you wear them.

The next thing to think about is the idea of a year-round tan. Is this something you really want? If you live in a country with seasons, it is sometimes nice that you reflect the seasons a little bit - paler in the winter, slightly more tanned in the summer. Okay, if you are desperate for a year round tan, well it's your body, but you should be aware that even tanning beds have a premature aging effect on skin. It is something to think about.

Children and tanning is also an important issue. Studies have shown that if a youngster gets burned the effects are more serious and more skin damage occurs. These studies were looking specifically at UV-B, but plenty of experts think the same caution should be applied to sun beds. So decide if your child or adolescent really needs a tan.

In addition, it is not advisable for everyone to use a tanning bed. Those who suffer from cold sores, diabetes and people with lupus should consult their doctor before using one as they can be bad for their condition. Furthermore, people who use medicines such as certain types of pills for birth control, tranquilizers or antihistamines can find their skin is more susceptible to the rays. So if you are thinking of using a sun bed it might be a good idea to chat to your doctor beforehand.

Some people are happy enough to use a tanning machine because they want a tan. So just be aware of the potential hazards and follow a few guidelines - don't get burnt and wear goggles for instance - and enjoy your tan.