Which Tanning Lamps Should You Buy?

You finally got tired of spending hundreds of dollars each year paying for salon tanning, and decided to purchase a tanning bed. Sometime after you bought the bed, the tanning lamps need to be replaced. Which ones should you purchase?

Before looking for replacement lamps, identify whether your tanning bed uses lamps or bulbs. Higher-powered bulbs are frequently used in beds made in Europe, while lower powered lamps are usually used for beds made in the United States. If you cannot tell which your bed uses, or if you are unsure at all, consult the manufacturer or manual.

New and replacement lamps should last for three to five years. They require little cleaning or maintenance after installation. The current recommendation is that the owner should completely wipe down the tanning lamps and any internal features of the bed after 300 hours of use. This will help to prevent the light from being blocked by dust that filters in through the bed’s acrylic shield.

Different sizes of lamps, which offer different wattage outputs, are used for different tanning beds. Some are more expensive than others are, and some require special ballasts before installing. If you have any questions about what type of lamps you need, contact the supplier or manufacturer of your model.

Tanning lamps have other uses as well. They can be used for treating persons diagnosed with severe cases of psoriasis or gout, as well as to cure different types of wood for making musical instruments. A different type of ultraviolet light, called UVC, which is not emitted from low-pressure lights, is used to sterilize medical equipment or to purify water.

Be aware that tanning lamps contain mercury. Mercury is considered a hazardous substance, and the federal government has banned the disposal of these items. Contact a local agency in your area to determine what to do with these used lamps.

Another potentially hazardous substance, ultraviolet rays, is produced by tanning lamps. These rays, responsible for tanning, can be damaging to the skin. In fact, persons who use tanning beds regularly have a risk of developing skin cancer that is 1-1/2 times greater than that of someone who does not tan. If you tan regularly, protect your skin; wear sunscreen and tanning goggles every time.

Purchasing tanning lamps the first time can be somewhat complicated. After the first time, however, you know exactly what products you require, and the process is as easy as turning on the bed!