Tanning Beds

You can find tanning beds, also called Capsules, at gyms though they are steadily being replaced by canopies that you stand up in. However, these new solariums are incredibly expensive and the only real alternative for home use is to buy a new or used tanning bed which are, in fact, more relaxing than the vertical ones.

Tip: Try to go for high quality moisturizers and tanning lotions - not only do they provide a nicer and longer lasting tan but their actions on your skin are also more delicate. Tan extender lotions should also be in your bag when you are using a tanning bed. The main role of this lotion is to keep the tan intensity constant between exposures to the artificial light. Sometimes, if you are not using the moisturizer and extender, you might lose half of the potential tan. However, do not use the same outdoor tanning oils when you are tanning indoors. Because of the differences between natural sunlight and artificial tanning light, the outdoor oils might actually prevent you from getting a good and uniform tan.

It is also important to start slow when you first start using a tanning bed. Start on the lowest settings, with the minimum amount of time spent in the tanning bed, and get your tan in a gradual way. The lower the settings are, and the less time you spend in the tanning bed, the healthier your skin will be.

To avoid unprecedented problems, you must buy second hand tanning beds the way you would buy a used car. You must know the model, the year it was manufactured, and the features. Though tanning beds are fairly recent technological products, the older models are considered less safe than the new ones. This is because some of the lamps in older models of tanning beds emit the type A ultraviolet radiation (UV-A). This type of radiation has been known to cause skin cancer and other similar diseases. Thus, the new models have lamps that produce only type B ultraviolet radiation (UV-B). This type of radiation is not entirely safe, but it is not the primary cause of skin cancer.

Check the features of the used tanning bed. Do these still work properly? A malfunctioning feature is not a good sign. You may ask a specific question, such as "Can the lamps and acrylic sheets be removed and changed easily?" If the owner confesses that he's selling the tanning bed because the bulb is difficult to replace, then start making a graceful exit. That could mean UV ray health risk.

Another thing that you should find out is the reason why the tanning bed is being sold by its owner. If the reason is a timer that has stopped working, or a bulb that does not turn on, move on and consider another tanning bed. If the reason is that the owner is bankrupt or moving to another country, then the tanning bed could be working fine. Now all you need to see is the warranty.

Dangers of Using Tanning Beds - by Logan Rokwild

Although tanning beds have become increasingly popular over the last ten years or so, there is a great deal of danger associated with them. Many people may be aware of the harmful effects of tanning, yet have the classic mentality that it won't happen to them. Other people just can't imagine themselves being old enough to have a disease such as cancer. However, the fact is that everyone gets old, and skin cancer is becoming more and more common among adults as young as 20. While spending a moderate amount of time in the sun is essential to a person's health, extended periods of time spent baking in the sun, especially without the use of sunscreen has many harmful effects. The little amount of time that is spent in a tanning bed has even greater effects on a person because of the high levels of ultra-violent rays.

Spending time in tanning beds contributes to premature aging of the skin, including wrinkles, age-spots and dryness. More seriously they can cause cancer of the skin because the high intensity rays that cause breaks in DNA and mutations in cells. The carcinogenic agents found in tanning bed rays also lower your immune system. There is also an increased risk of sun burn while using tanning beds, which can be painful and increase your risk of skin disease. If you are heart set on having a tan all year round, you should consider using the spray on or gel tanners, which are completely safe and the color can last up to a week. However, you should stay away from the oral ingestion of tanning pills, because they have recently been linked to liver disease.

Taking care of your sunbed

After each session, you need to do two things, "inspect" and "clean". You need to inspect the click strip and make sure that it is attached firmly. And you need to inspect the facial glass (if your tanning bed has it) and make sure that it has no cracks or any other "blemishes". Then, you need to clean. You must clean the bench and canopy acrylics. Use only the right cleaning liquid, not alcohol nor bleach. And use only soft non-abrasive cloth. You must also clean the tanning bed pillow. Do not use the outdoor or oil-based tanning lotions. These will damage the acrylic. And lastly, you must clean and sanitize the goggles. This is also for your own safety.

Once a week, aside from inspecting and cleaning, you must do more things to make sure that your tanning bed is in top condition. You must dust the lamps. But do not touch them with your bare hands. Then you must remove and clean the inside of the bench and canopy acrylic sheets. You must wipe and vacuum the fans, the vents, and the vent hoses. Check if the shock tension needs to be adjusted. If it does, then adjust it. Check the set bolts if these are still tight. And check the power cord and the bench-to-canopy connectors if these are also snug with no wear and tear.

And monthly, you clean again the bench and canopy acrylics. You also need to clean the reflectors using the appropriate cleaning solution. Inspect the vent hoses for optimum ventilation and do the necessary adjustments if needed. For sufficient ventilation, make sure that the bed is at least six inches away from the wall. And lastly, check the voltage being supplied to the bed. It should conform with the ones stated in the manufacturer's guidelines. If you need to replace a lamp, choose replacements that meet the frequency recommendations.

When you do all these things with your tanning bed, then you are assured that the quality of your tanning bed will last longer.
About the Author: Peter Garant has a collection of tanning bed articles on his home tanning beds web site: www.tanning-bed-secrets.com.