We all like to have that healthy glow that comes from being outdoors and getting some sun. However, we know that sun damage can be harmful to our skin. Many turn to tanning salons to maintain their glow, but is using a tanning bed safe?

The skin tans when exposed to ultraviolet light. To keep itself from burning, skin will manufacture extra coloring, called pigment. This pigment is what causes us to “tan”. However, when we get too much ultraviolet light and burn, serious problems can occur. We may suffer damage to our eyes, early wrinkling, blistering and rashes. At worst, we may develop certain types of skin cancer.

Exposing your skin to the ultraviolet light of a tanning booth is advertised as safe, though. It is now known that there are two types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB. UVB rays are the shorter wavelengths that are most likely to cause burning. Longer wavelength UVA rays are less likely to cause a sunburn, but they have been shown to increase risk of melanoma.

Older style tanning beds were developed using primarily UVB rays. These are the ones that you lay in and close on top of your body so that the light tans both sides at once. After publicity that the UVB rays used by these beds could be harmful, many salons switched to devices using UVA rays. They were thought to be safer, but current studies dispute this.

The shorter wavelength UVB rays will cause sunburn on the outermost layer of skin. The results of overexposure are almost immediate and very apparent. However, the UVA rays reach deeper into the tissues, so the layers of tissue beneath the surface can be damaged. Since the effects are harder to see, we don’t know how much damage we are doing until it’s too late. Both types of ultraviolet light are dangerous.

Continued exposure to these ultraviolet rays can make the skin thinner and limit its ability to heal itself. Not only does this increase premature aging and wrinkling, but it leaves the skin more susceptible to disease, including skin cancer.

Tanning in a tanning bed can also cause retinal damage. Many have experienced burned corneas from overuse of tanning beds, and in extreme cases, even cataracts can develop from overexposure. Even though customers are advised to wear eye goggles, many make do by closing their eyes or placing a cloth over their eyes during tanning, steps that don’t stop the UV damage to the eyes.

Are tanning beds safe? If you can limit the time that you use them, wear goggles and be diligent, maybe. However, the best protection is to skip the tanning bed and use a self tanner. Why take chances with the largest organ in your body, your skin? Be mindful of tanning, indoors or outdoors.

If you need to know how to use a tanning bed, it makes sense that you find out more about the possible ailments associated with tanning in tanning beds. Tanning in a tanning bed or a tanning salon is not, as many people believe, that different from tanning on a beach. That’s why it’s absolutely imperative to know how to use a tanning bed properly.

Although using a tanning bed is quite simple, knowing how to tan in a tanning bed properly is another matter altogether. Using a tanning bed is, essentially, trying to replicate the tanning process in a controlled environment. The sun tans you via UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays, and that is exactly how a tanning bed tans you. In tanning salons, anyone who wants a tan can control how long a time they want to be exposed to a tanning bed’s UV rays, as well as control which rays the skin itself is exposed to. On a beach, you don’t, and can’t, get this kind of personalized control, nor can you tan on the beach in the winter!

Tanning beds are actually quite similar to sun tanning, because the same UV radiation is creating the tan.

Using a tanning bed is quite simple. Any individual seeking to get a good tan in a tanning bed must first get a base tan, which is a deep, below the surface tan, which can take about eight sessions, depending on the pigmentation of your skin. If you need to know how to use a tanning bed, how long to stay in the tanning bed, depending on your skin tone, the employees at the tanning salon can assist you.

Obviously, tanners with fair skin should limit exposure to ultraviolet rays emitted by a tanning bed, which are pretty much exactly like the ones emitted by the sun. After building a base tan, the next thing to do is to tan a little bit at a time, to work your way towards the desired skin tone. Ultraviolet light, i.e. the light which is used in tanning beds is a slightly a different strain of the sun’s type of ultraviolet rays, but because the rays are more concentrated, customers need to keep their visits short. This is the most important thing when considering how to use a tanning bed. It is in your best interests to ask for advice, and to trust the professional who is supervising your experience.

Two of the most important things to take into consideration when considering using a tanning bed are to a) wear protective goggles and b) apply liberal amounts of tanning lotion or lotions. Human eyes are extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light, and due to the concentration of the ultraviolet rays used by tanning beds, the eyes are immediately susceptible to harm. Sunglasses, once thought as acceptable protection, are absolutely, positively not to be used to protect your eyes. Using goggles specifically designed for tanning in tanning beds is the best overall idea, because goggles of this type are created specifically to protect against UV rays.

Regarding lotions, you need to consider moisture and tyrosine. Moist skin tans better, not to mention more evenly, than dry skin. This isn’t ground-breaking knowledge, but most people don’t moisturize enough. By moisturizing you are slowing and/or retarding the exfoliation process. Doing this effectively you will receive a good tan, so finding a proper moisturizer is absolutely essential. Tyrosine, an amino acid that assists production of melanin, which controls the skins pigmentation, is also an element in selecting the proper lotion. Tyrosine allows your body to maintain melanin levels longer, and will assist in the retardation of the exfoliation process.

If you need to know more about how to use a tanning bed, or desire someone to teach you how to use a tanning bed, consult a local specialist.

A tanning bed produces UV rays and thus just like the sun there can be some health issues. You can tan safely by following the tanning bed tips provided by many. Here are some tanning bed facts.
Skin type

No matter what type of tanning bed you are using, if you don’t know your skin type you could land up in trouble. There are five basic skin types. The lightest being albino the darkest being naturally dark pigmented skin such as Asian or African. And then there is the rest of us somewhere in between.
The type of skin you have will determine how long and how often you can tan. Some skin types burn much quicker, while others seldom burn at all. The salon attendant will help you determine your skin type. If you are tanning at home then refer to the manual that came with your tanning bed.
Tanning Lotions

Always use a tanning lotion that id designed for indoor tanning. Stay away from the oils. They are messy and they get all over the acrylic which then blocks the rays from reaching you.
Use a tanning lotion appropriate for your skin. So if you burn easily the choose a lotion with a higher SPF. Never use inside lotions outside or outside lotions inside. Each is designed to protect you from specific rays associated with that type of tanning.
Do Not Let Yourself Burn

Avoid a sun burn at all costs. In the tanning world this is the golden rule. Some people will burn much easier than others and you need to take steps to avoid burning. If you are really fair and you never tan without first getting a burn, then don’t tan. It’s that simple. Burns are dangerous to your health and the cause of skin cancer. No tan is worth risking skin cancer. Tan smart!
Choose Your Bed Carefully

You should always start with a lower watt tanning bulb bed. The beginner beds aren’t as powerful as the mega beds and it will give you pigment time to develop. Once you’ve got your base tan you can move to a bed that has stronger tanning bulbs. If you stop tanning and you loose your tan then you have to start all over again from the beginning with a low watt bed. The strong tanning bulb beds are very powerful and you will damage your skin if your skin is not ready for them.
Home Tanning Beds

You might want to consider purchasing your own bed. Although the commercial beds are great you have to work your schedule around their schedule and it seems you’re always rushed. With a bed at home you can relax and enjoy your tan and you can tan in the privacy of your own home. It’s a great end to a busy day.
Home tanning beds can be purchased for a reasonable price, especially if you calculate how much it cost to go to a commercial bed. Remember there is not just the cost of session but the gas to get there, the wear and tear on your car, and the cost of your time. It’s something to consider.
Of course there are advantages to commercial tanning beds to. They always have the latest and greatest beds. They absorb the cost of replacing bulbs that have become weak, and they do all the maintenance and repair. All you have to do is show up.
However you decide to get your indoor tan, just be smart and tan in moderation. You can have that beautiful golden tan if you play your tanning bulbs right!
M.D. Stacener from Home Tanning Beds has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing valuable information to keep you beautiful and healthy. Please visit us at http://www.tanabanas.com/