Turn Up the Heat With Tanning Bulbs

Are you trying to get that beautiful suntanned glow without spending hours in the sun? If you have purchased a home tanning bed for this very purpose, you may find that eventually, you have to replace the tanning bulbs. Before you begin this process, determine whether your tanning bed requires tanning bulbs or tanning lamps.

Most beds manufactured in European countries use tanning bulbs. In comparison, those made in the United States and other countries utilize tanning lamps. If you have any doubts about where the bed was made, or which type of light the bed uses, consult with the supplier or manufacturer of your model.

There is one major difference between tanning bulbs and tanning lamps. Tanning bulbs use more power to create a higher output of light rays than tanning lamps. In addition, because the bulbs offer more intense rays, people usually tan for shorter times when using these beds.

Tanning bulbs can be more dangerous than tanning lamps when used improperly. Unlike tanning lamps, which produce only two kinds of ultraviolet rays, bulbs emit three types of rays. Both give off ultraviolet (UV) A and B light, while only the bulbs emit UV C rays.

UV C rays are potentially very damaging to human skin, and must be absorbed by a special glass, usually purple, that filters out the UV rays. Never use or purchase a tanning bed that does not contain such a filter. Do your homework and protect yourself.

Tanning bulbs contain mercury and argon. Never touch a tanning bulb with your fingers; the oil from your fingers could damage the sensitive glass of these bulbs. Damage to this glass will make the bulb much more likely to break because of the extreme heat to which it is subjected during the tanning process.

If you do have a problem with a broken bulb, read the manual carefully before attempting to clean it up. Mercury is a very toxic substance and is damaging to the skin and the human body. Use special caution if you must come into direct contact with this chemical because of a broken bulb.

Finally, if your tanning bed uses tanning bulbs, be very cautious about your tanning exposure. The extra heat intensity of these bulbs can damage the skin. Skin damage can lead to skin cancer, so make sure you tan smart and always use skin and eye protection when tanning!