Tanning booth

A tanning booth is a device that emits ultraviolet radiation, which is usually for the purpose of a cosmetic tan. They are very similar to a tanning bed, but the design is intended to be used while standing up, rather than lying down. Friderich Wolff was a german scientist who discovered tanning beds in 1978,[1] causing the beds to gain popularity and leading to be manufactured ever since. Majority of the brands that are used today are called the Wolff tanning beds.

Tanning booth
Tanning Bed

Tanning booths generally use 160 watt VHO (Very High Output) or 180 watt VHO-R (Very High Output with Reflector) lamps, which are similar to the Mediterranean sun during midday. Typically, less expensive systems use standard 100 watt HO (High Output) or RUVA (Reflector UVA) lamps. Many people confuse "VHO-R" and "VHR ", with the latter being a trademark of Cosmedico lamps for their versions of the VHO-R lamps.[2] The average tanning booth has about 32 to 56 lamps and uses approximately 10 to 15 minute tanning sessions.

Tanning Booths vs. Tanning Beds

Tanning booths are often quite similar to tanning beds, but tanning booth are vertical rather than horizontal. Amongst the two, there are other generally differences. Most tanning booths use a higher watt (VHO) and VHO-R lamp, which consume 160 and 180 watts, while majority of tanning beds use 100W HO lamps. Many users prefer to use tanning booths over tanning beds because it results in a better tan, easier movements, and no physical contact with the light bulbs.

Most booths do not have a reflector system behind the lamps because they use the VHO-R lamps, which have a more effective reflector built inside the lamp itself. This forces all the light to be focused out of the front of the lamp, reducing lost UV from phase cancellation. This is where two opposing waves (in this case, UV) that are out of phase with each other, partially cancelling each other out. Because of this, it results in a loss of net UV that reaches the user.

Another difference that is not as obvious is that there are no pressure points when tanning inside a booth. A person using a tanning bed is supported by the acrylic, and in these areas the blood flow is reduced. Melanin production is somewhat reduced in these areas leading to a tan that is not completely even. For most individuals, this isn't very obvious but certain individuals will experience circular areas with slight but noticeably less tan in those pressure areas. Most (but not all) tanning booths do not have acrylics and instead use a wire mesh to protect the user from the lamps. Although this results in a somewhat higher UV transmission, it does not offer the same protection that a solid acrylic sheet offers.

Furthermore, it is very common for tanning booths to have shorter exposure times than tanning beds. This is partially due to the higher use of the 160-180 watt lamps, which produce more UVA and UVB than a 100w lamp, which is found in tanning beds. Another factor is that most of the manufacturers use a higher UVB style lamp. Because the FDA regulates exposure time, using a method that biases against UVB (for all tanning units) reduces the average exposure time from the traditional 15-20 minutes, to 10-15 minutes, with times continuing to decrease. Tanning booths are subject to the same regulations as tanning beds, including posting the suggested time exposure in a conspicuous place on the tanning unit, and in the original owners manual.

Common use

Tanning booths are not as common as tanning beds; generally they cost significantly more, and are not as comfortable because the user stands while inside the booth. This limits the adoption of tanning booths over tanning beds particularly in the residential market, where comfort and price are primary considerations for purchasing. There are no published statistics on the number of booths sold versus tanning beds because all U.S. tanning be manufacturers are private companies; causing these numbers to be considered proprietary. Anecdotal evidence would indicate that less than 10% of the tanning units in professional tanning salons are booths.

One reason professional salons may choose a booth over a bed is the amount of space required, as a booth requires significantly less square footage than a bed. Also, many booths have the option of a dressing room attached to the unit, which means the salon owner isn't required to build a special room to house the unit. This reduces their initial cost to install and often offsets the higher cost of the unit.

Benefits

Although indoor and outdoor tanning is looked down upon, there are substantial benefits. However, the risks still (talked about below) out weigh the positives, here are some of the benefits from the UV rays:

Risks

See also: Skin cancer, Melanoma, and Photokeratitis

As with any device that emits ultraviolet, there are risks, especially with overexposure. Tanning booths are not safer than tanning beds, due to the basic mechanics being the same. For information, see sun tanning for a complete list of the potential hazards associated with tanning indoors or out.

UV Tanning substantially raise risks of skin cancer, including melanoma.[6]

Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation is known to cause skin cancer,[7] advance skin ageing and wrinkling,[8] photokeratitis,[9] bacteria risk, mutate DNA,[10] and reduce immune system response.[11] Frequent tanning bed use triples the risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.[6] Children and adolescents who use tanning beds are at greater risk because of biological vulnerability to ultraviolet radiation.[12] Lacking the use of eye wear, increases the risk of causing arc eye.[13] This can cause severe pain, itching, and corneal flash burn. Many people underestimate the risk of bacterial infections. If improper sanitations occur after the use of beds, people have a higher risk developing sexually transmitted diseases, acne, or skin infections.

The US Public Health Service states that UV radiation, including the use of sun lamps and sun beds is "known to be a human carcinogen."[7] It further states that the risk of developing cancer in the years after exposure is greatest in people under 30 years old.

Law Regulations

Further information: Tanning bed § Regulation

The regulation of tanning use with ultra-violet lamps has increased, particularly for people under 30 years of age. This is due to the greatly increased risk of skin cancers, that has occurred in young adults.[12] Some jurisdictions, i.e. the United Kingdom (except for Northern Ireland),[14] California,[15] and Australia,[16] have banned the use of tanning booths and beds by those under eighteen.

In February 2012, the state Government of New South Wales in Australia announced it's intention to ban new solariums (including tanning beds), starting in 2014. This excludes the use by medical professionals or privately owned system. [17] In Queensland in Australia, announced a ban on commercial solariums and tanning beds starting in 2013.[18]

Alternatives

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tanning bed". Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
  2. ↑ http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4008:mhm30q.2.10
  3. ↑ Kotz, Deborah (2008-06-23). "Time in the Sun: How Much Is Needed for Vitamin D?". US News & World Report. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  4. ↑ Davis, Sarah. "Tanning Beds and Acne | LIVESTRONG.COM". LIVESTRONG.COM. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  5. ↑ Davis, Sarah. "Tanning Beds and Acne | LIVESTRONG.COM". LIVESTRONG.COM. Retrieved 2016-04-24.
  6. 1 2 Peeples, Lynne. Study: Frequent tanning-bed use triples melanoma risk. CNN. 27 May 2010.
  7. 1 2 "NTP: Report on Carcinogens (RoC)". Ntp.niehs.nih.gov. 2009-02-13. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  8. ↑ Fisher GJ, Wang ZQ, Datta SC, Varani J, Kang S, Voorhees JJ (November 1997). "Pathophysiology of premature skin aging induced by ultraviolet light". N. Engl. J. Med. 337 (20): 1419–28. doi:10.1056/NEJM199711133372003. PMID 9358139.
  9. ↑ "Photokeratitis". Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
  10. ↑ Sinha RP, Häder DP (April 2002). "UV-induced DNA damage and repair: a review". Photochem. Photobiol. Sci. 1 (4): 225–36. doi:10.1039/B201230H. PMID 12661961.
  11. ↑ Baadsgaard O (January 1991). "In vivo ultraviolet irradiation of human skin results in profound perturbation of the immune system. Relevance to ultraviolet-induced skin cancer" (PDF). Arch Dermatol 127 (1): 99–109. doi:10.1001/archderm.1991.01680010109019. PMID 1824747.
  12. 1 2 Balk, S. J. MD, A. C. Geller, MPH, RN. "Teenagers and Artificial Tanning". Pediatrics. Vol.121, No. 5; May 1, 2008. pp.1040–1042 doi:10.1542/peds.2007-2256. Retrieved February 4, 2012
  13. ↑ "Photokeratitis". Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
  14. ↑ Rebecca Smith(April 8, 2010) "Children banned from using sunbeds" The Telegraph. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  15. ↑ Bell, Kyle W. (October 13, 2011). "California Bans Tanning Bed Use for Minors". Gather News. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  16. ↑ Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand. Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2635 (Solaria for cosmetic purposes): Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand, 2008.
  17. ↑ "Solariums banned across NSW". ABC News (Australia). 4 February 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  18. ↑ "New solariums to be banned in Qld". 16 December 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.

External links

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