With the ongoing work being done by researchers studying the health effects of a myriad of environmental, dietary, and chemical factors on our bodies, we are bombarded with information on a daily basis. The negative effects of sun exposure have been well documented, as have the effects of tanning beds. But for tanning bed enthusiasts, the positive feelings associated with tanning are difficult to ignore. To weigh your risks when it comes to tanning, it’s important to first understand some tanning bed facts.

One of the most important tanning bed facts to understand is that tanning beds do not eradicate the dangers of ultraviolet rays. Most of us know that the sun emits ultraviolet rays – UVA and UVB rays – that have been associated with everything from early aging to significant skin damage such as skin cancer. But what you must also understand is that tanning beds also emit these ultraviolet rays. While exposure to the more dangerous UVB rays are minimized in tanning beds, these UV rays still exist. Additionally, tanning beds actually increase exposure to UVA rays – longer UV wavelengths that reach our deeper layers of skin – to speed the tanning process. For skin that has a tendency to burn this can mean a speedier burning, rather than tanning, process.

Another one of the tanning bed facts to understand is that visiting a tanning salon does not mean you should leave your protective lotion behind. Rather, you should be just as vigilant in selecting protective lotion at the tanning salon as you would on the beach. One of the tanning bed facts that most people don’t realize is that there are lotions designed for specific skin types that are meant to provide protection in tanning beds. Any reputable tanning salon will offer a full product line of protective lotion; ask an employee for help finding one that works with your skin type.

The most important of tanning bed facts is that a tanning bed does not change your skin. If you burn at the pool then you will burn in a tanning salon. If you have fair skin that tends to burn, you’re better off avoiding tanning beds altogether. But if you must tan, do so responsibly and with knowledge behind you.

For easy to understand, in depth information about tanning bed visit our ezGuide 2 Tanning Bed.