Buying the Right Tanning Bed Bulbs

Tanning bed bulbs are an essential part of a tanning bed, but not all bulbs are the same. There are long tanning bed bulbs that look like fluorescent lights.

These are located on both the top and bottom of the bed. Conventional tanning bed lamps emit both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays tan but also contribute to aging. UVB rays can cause burning.

If you use a tanning bed with conventional bulbs, you will need to build up a base tan over a period of time. It takes about a month, with sessions about 20 minutes long from 3 to 5 times a week. If you use a bed that emits UVA rays only, it will take you only a few weeks, with 3 to 5 sessions total, to get the same results. You won’t have to spend as much time to get a base tan.

Regardless of the type of tanning bed you use, you will have to continue to use it to keep your tan. If you use a tanning bed that emits both UVA and UVB rays, you will need to have sessions 2 or 3 times a week to maintain your tan. If you use a bed that only emits UVA rays, you can maintain your tan with 2 or 3 sessions a month.

If you go to a salon, you should know which kind of tanning bed bulbs it uses.