WHO USES A HOME TANNING BED?

Twenty-five percent of American adults have tanned indoors at least once in their lives. Some seven percent tan indoors regularly.

An independent study conducted recently by Wolff System showed that indoor tanners are an active group, with sixty-three percent of them exercising three or more times a week. Nearly eighty-six percent of these tanners are between 25 and 44 years old.

More than half are married, and two thirds are parents. Some sixty percent are church members. Sixty-three percent own their own homes. More than half earn between $25,000 and $55,000 per year. Indoor tanners represent many professions, including education, business, service industries, the arts, and health-related fields.

There are many benefits to indoor tanning. Many of the benefits to the consumer were revealed in an independent study conducted recently of 200 women who tan.

Seventy-eight percent agreed that an indoor system is a stress-free way to relax. More than seventy-five percent agreed that tanning indoors is a more controlled way to maintain a tan than outdoors. Seventy percent said they feel good after tanning indoors and that it is a responsible way to tan before intense exposure to the sun.

Sixty percent agreed that given all the risks that exist in the modern day environment, the benefits of indoor tanning make it a worthwhile experience. In addition, studies suggest that pigmentation also protects the skin against over-exposure, which can lead to skin cancer.

Indoor exposure also has beneficial applications at another level. Non-cosmetic ultraviolet lamps with special light spectra are used by physicians in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin disorders. In addition, medical and scientific studies conducted worldwide corroborate that sunlight typically stimulates the production of Vitamin D3 in most normal skin. Vitamin D3 helps the body absorb dietary calcium and, therefore, build stronger bones.

Other studies currently in process hypothesize a positive effect of ultraviolet light on decreasing the incidence of breast and colon cancer, as well as the treatment of osteoporosis and certain immunological disorders.

Most tanning bed industries agree that indoor tanning is much safer than receiving outdoor exposure to the sun. Light emitted from tanning equipment contains approximately 40% less UVB rays, the most harmful type of radiation, than does light from the sun. Tanning beds use ultraviolet light (UV) to tan people. There are three types of UV- UVA, UVB and UVC. Indoor systems are designed to concentrate optimal levels of UVA, in conjunction with very low percentages of UVB, on the outermost layers of the skin so as to stimulate the production of Melanic pigment, which is slightly pink in it's dormant state, and cause it to turn brown after excretion. The more melanin cells that are present in the skin determines the amount of pigment that will be excreted and distributed, and therefore the extent of the tan. Indoor systems are designed to filter out UVC as this is a harmful type of UV. Tanning beds, therefore, have the power to control exposure time and the ratio of UVA to UVB rays for a "perfect balance". Since tanning beds filter out most of the burning UVB rays, chances of getting burned decrease dramatically.

OUTDOOR VS. INDOOR TANNING

What is the difference between tanning outdoors versus tanning indoors? The process is the same - skin is tanned by ultraviolet (UV) light. The main difference, however, is that a person can not control the amount of UV light they are exposed to while outside due to changes in the earth's atmosphere. Also, the sun emits what is called UVC light which is the most harmful of all ultraviolet rays. Tanning beds filter this UVC light out. Other benefits that differentiate indoor tanning from outdoor exposure are convenience, privacy, relaxation, and control of environment (i.e. elimination of the dust, chemicals, and other particles present in the outdoor air.) Indoor tanning eliminates variables such as season, time of day, reflection, and atmospheric conditions. Another difference between indoor and outdoor tanning is that indoor exposure programs can be tailored to individual needs with regard to skin type and previous exposure experience.

A TAN AND A SMILE

Scientists have known for years that the dark winter months can cause a form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. This condition causes sleep irregularities, loss of appetite, behavioral and sexual dysfunction, and more.

The good news is that increasing the amount of light to which a person is exposed each day easily treats Seasonal Affective Disorder. According to a series of studies published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, indoor tanning, when used wisely, is a safe and drug-free way to combat seasonal depression.

When you are ready to purchase, remember, looking good is just the start. Sensible, safe tanning on an indoors tanning system can provide real health results, for a brighter outlook and a healthier you!