Getting a Tan arrow Indoor Tanning arrow Using Tanning Beds Safely

Using Tanning Beds Safely
The search for a good, healthy and natural looking tan can lead you to all kinds of places.  Hitting the beach is the most common and favored one, but as research unfolded dangers of prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays, alternative methods of achieving that glowing sun-kissed look found their way onto the market.

Tanning beds led the way as an alternative practice, promising to bring a safer method of tanning to individuals by controlling the level of UV exposure. The sun emits two different types of UV rays, UVA and UVB. Because they exists in different lengths, they effect the skin differently and UVB rays can do more harm than UVA.  This led the tanning bed industry to concentrate on delivery healthy doses of alternative UV radiation while minimizing the supply of UVB.

Photo of Commercial Tanning Bed

Tanning beds offer good UV radiation control and exposure, and deliver a good, even tan in a safe environment.  The risk from the sun primarily comes from the UVB rays known as the “burning rays.” They only affect the outer levels of the skin.  While the UVA rays penetrate deeper into the dermis, the UVB puts the skin at higher risk for burning.

Deep within the skin are granules of melanin which get oxidized by the presence of UVA rays.  This is the basis of tanning, and the UVB rays help to stimulate those golden brown tanned granules to the surface. The advantage of using a tanning bed to achieve a tan, is that higher doses of the UVA will be provided, while more dangerous UVB rays are kept at a minimum, usually at around 40% less than what is delivered by the sun. 

That level of control is the selling point of safety with tanning beds. Cutting out most of the UVB rays, sessions in the tanning bed can also deliver good amounts of vitamin D.  Vitamin D helps to control the amount of calcium which is present in the blood, improving inner health.  It has been claimed that the only way to get doses of the vitamin was through exposure to the sun, but some foods do naturally contain it too.

Achieving a tan to get that perfect look can be done without the dangerous side effects which the sun delivers.  Without the high intensity of UVB rays, the skin will not get burned and suffer the effects of premature aging.  Direct sunlight can drain the skin of essential nutrients and consistent burning can damage it on a deeper level. Tanning beds will help to prevent this level of damage and risk. 

People do want to look their best, and the risk of skin damage appears to be higher in the Caucasian female teen demographic. They disregard health warnings about the sun and have the desire to look perfect.  Looking good can come at a price if not done safely.  The skin cancer warnings from the sun are to be heeded, as research and statistics point to an ever increasing rate of contracting cancer, with longer periods in the sun. 

The skin is important to your well-being and should not be abused. Tanning is great and safe tanning is even better.  Using the correct lotions, even after being on a tanning bed, will help replenish and nourish the skin to keep you beautiful and healthy on the outside.
 
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