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What is a tanning bed?
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A tanning bed
is a device in which you lay down on a clear plastic acrylic covering
phosphor lamps which emit ultra violet radiation in a blend similar to the
sun. These tanning beds range from 28 lamp models, which carry a 20
minute maximum exposure time, to the 60 lamp models with an 8 minute max
exposure time.
Typical usage of indoor tanning
beds?
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Tanning beds are used for different reasons
by the Europeans versus customers in the USA. In the US, tanning is more
seasonal, where most users begin in January and stop or slow down by
June. Sunbeds are most often used as a way to jump-start the tanning process,
so that once the summer begins, they can go to the beach or enjoy other
outdoor activities and already have a significant base tan built up. In
Europe, tanning is a way of life enjoyed year round.
What are the benefits of indoor tanning
beds?
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The primary reason for indoor tanning is to
achieve that healthy "glow" but it is common for people to tan simply
because it makes them feel good. Also,
most tanning beds generate a large amount of heat, including infrared,
which has deep penetrating action that can relieve minor muscle aches.
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Most
dermatologists and other skin care professionals discourage the use of tanning beds,
but many are now
prescribing high UVB tanning devices for various skin diseases.
Some people with psoriasis or eczema are treated with UVB light therapy
(known as PUVA, for Psoralens and UVA radiation) to lessen the symptoms.
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In some
situations with dermatologists, tanning salon memberships have been prescribed and more common now is
the purchase of home tanning beds which have been prescribed by doctors and
may be covered by insurance policies.
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Indoor tanning may temporarily help some
forms of acne by drying out the skin, but it is not a solution that
lasts for very long.
Further more, most prescription
or over the counter acne medications (e.g. Accutane, Benzoyl Peroxide,
Retin-A) should not be used in combination with UV light exposure or
the user may experience negative side effects from burning to delayed
healing due to photosensitivity that these drugs may cause.
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Exposure to UVB light in a certain spectra
(regardless of source) leads to production of vitamin D in the skin.
Production of vitamin D is important for a number of human functions, including the
maintenance of normal blood levels of phosphorus and calcium and the
promotion of healthy bones. Studies have shown that many people don't
get enough of the vitamin, which may even aid in the prevention of
cancer, diabetes, and HIV. However,
because tanning beds use bulbs that emit mostly UVA light (95% UVA and
5% UVB), tanning beds contribute only a small amount of your Vitamin D
daily requirement. Safe exposure to some sunlight is still
recommended for Vitamin D production.
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Indoor tanning makes most people feel good. To understand
more about how
this happens, researchers set out to determine if endorphin levels were
increased after tanning bed visits. They concluded that there were no significant
differences in the mean plasma levels of β-endorphin between people who
were exposed to tanning beds and those who were not.
The positive psychological
benefits of tanning beds may be due to factors other than endorphins.
But as the saying goes, if it feels good...do it!
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It is believed that indoor tanning beds are useful for the
treatment of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder),
though this is disputed at
present because of a lack of scientific data.
It is plausible that the
benefit that many SAD patients experience are more due to indoor tanning
beds
causing them to feel good in general, rather than treat the SAD itself.
Whatever works right?
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