| All I hear is to stay out of the sun are there positive effects of UV light? While indoor tanning is a cosmetic service, a well-known side effect of exposing the skin to ultraviolet (UV) light is the production of vitamin D. Emerging evidence suggests that there may be an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency in North America. Research also suggests that vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining good health. In light of this evidence, the Indoor Tanning Association believes that the health benefits of indoor tanning deserve further research. Europeans started tanning indoors with sunlamps that emitted ultraviolet light as a therapeutic exercise to harness the positive psychological and physiological effects of UV exposure. Long before the first tanning facility was established in the United States in the late 1970's, the practice of visiting a “solaria” for the positive effects of UV light was widespread in Europe, particularly in the sun-deprived, northern countries. Although indoor tanning is considered a cosmetic exercise in the United States, the industry’s roots are therapeutic, and many Americans do in fact visit tanning facilities for that purpose. The science of photo biology, which studies the effects of light on life, was founded on studying the positive effects of sunlight. Indeed, the 1903 Nobel Prize for Physiology/Medicine was awarded to Dr. Niels Finsen for his work treating the disease lupus vulgaris with ultraviolet light. While the indoor tanning industry in the United States promotes its services for cosmetic purposes, the fact remains that exposing the skin to ultraviolet light is the body’s primary means of producing vitamin D (which in turn is related to positive physiological effects). Exposure to UV light is also responsible for the production of endorphins and serotonin (which in turn is related to positive psychological effects). Can indoor tanning cure acne? Photo therapy (or use of UV light) has been effective in easing the skin problems common to this condition. There are also many drugs, including tetracycline and Retin-A, which are also widely used for treatment of acne. Because these drugs can render the skin photosensitive, one must avoid UV exposure when medicated. Furthermore, a qualified physician should only administer the use of UV light for acne treatment. Can indoor tanning equipment be used to treat psoriasis? Photo therapy (or UV light treatment) can be used to ease the symptoms of psoriasis. A trained physician render the treatment with equipment specifically designed for such a purpose. Many salon operators report that customers who suffer mild forms of psoriasis improve after indoor tanning, but treatment should be left to qualified professionals. Does tanning help treat depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? There exists a growing body of scientific evidence, which indicates that some people actually require more light exposure in order to function properly. Exposure to bright light, such as that emitted by the mid-day summer sun, causes the brain to suppress the release of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin acts as a depressant in the body if generated during the daytime. Thus, when affected people are exposed to longer hours of bright light, they feel happier, euphoric and more able to enjoy life. Bright light sources emitting only visible light are now frequently used to successfully treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Sub-syndrome Seasonal Affective Disorder (SSAD). Just like with psoriasis, treatment should be left to trained medical professionals. "I have been told from several of my friends that showering directly after tanning will "wash" your tan away. They say it's best to wait about 3 hours after tanning to shower. Is this true? No, taking a shower after tanning will not wash your tan away. However, it is recommended to wait 3 to 4 hours to prevent certain bronzers from streaking and allow tanning lotions to fully absorb into the skin. Sometimes, I notice a strange smell after I tan, what is that? The UV light from a sun bed is similar to UV light from the sun and cannot penetrate deeper than the skin to harm internal organs. The odor you may notice is what's commonly known as the "after-tan" odor, a common occurrence when tanning indoors or outdoors, which is caused by harmless bacteria. Some indoor designed tanning products are designed to help prevent after-tan odor. You may also want to consider purchasing Fresh-Ease after Tan Body Cloths. They neutralize after tan odor, re-moisturize the skin, and won’t streak bronzers! They are also excellent for removing makeup! What causes white spots? There are several reasons why white spots become noticeable on the body once the tanning process begins. Patches of skin that do not tan could be the result of genetic determination. The melanocytes in that certain area may simply not be efficient at producing melanin. White spots could also appear due to the presence of a fungus, which lives on the skin's surface. While the fungus is harmless, it does absorb UV light that would normally penetrate the skin. This fungus did not appear as a result of tanning; it merely becomes noticeable once tanning occurs. It can be remedied through the use of ARREST or HALT topical lotion that we can order. Don't feel as if you are alone, if this condition happens to you. We normally have 2 or 3 different tanners who encounter this each year. Is Indoor Tanning the same as tanning outdoors? The key difference between indoor and outdoor sun exposure is that indoor tanning takes place in a highly controlled environment-the lamp's light spectrum produces a consistent and controlled amount of ultraviolet light. Unlike outdoor sun, you always know how much ultraviolet light you receive. Today, all sun-beds and tanning booths used in salons are regulated by the F.D.A as Class II Medical Devices. This means you only get a standardized amount of UV exposure with a mixture of both UVB and UVA rays designed to minimize burning. The tanning process and the energy produced from indoor and outdoor tanning are the same, but the light spectra are different. In most U.S. made equipment, indoor tanning relies on lamps that emulate a light spectrum similar to that of the sun.
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. The controlled environment and the ability to time your UV exposure to the minute makes burning less likely with a tanning bed than with outdoor sun exposure, although we could never guarantee someone won't burn, we strive to keep it from happening. Tanning Myths Did you know the media is constantly fed many inaccuracies about the indoor tanning industry? Here are some of the tanning myths recently promoted. Some of the myths are new; some are old-nonetheless, all are inaccurate. Myth 1: Indoor tanning is safer than exposure to natural sunlight. The Food and Drug Administration uses 21 CFR 1040.20 to regulate the indoor tanning industry and forbids health claims such as "safe", "safer than the sun", etc. Claims like these also are monitored by the Federal Trade Commission. That being said, indoor tanning delivers controlled exposure by skin type and a timer system that minimizes the risk of erythema or sunburn. Natural sunlight offers no such control and there is certainly the likelihood of sunburn. Myth 2: Tanning beds are 15 times stronger than natural sunlight. This claim actually varies according to different sources25 times stronger, 50, 100, etc. Some substitute the phrase "typical solar radiation" or "noon- time" sun. All are incorrect. What specific sunlight are they referring to? What city offers typical solar radiation? UV intensity is affected by factors such as time of year, time of day, cloud cover, pollutants, proximity to the equator and reflective surfaces. The suns intensity is certainly stronger in Miami at noon on a clear day in July versus a cloudy day in Montreal at 3 p.m. Myth 3: Properly using an SPF will keep me from getting skin cancer. There is now an interesting development going on here. Certainly, proper use of a sunscreen with SPF can help with the prevention of sunburn, but studies show that the chemicals in sunscreen with SPF actually may lead to skin cancer. In the Free Radical Biology & Medicine journal, scientists at the University of California report that some of the chemicals found in sunscreen products can become cancer-causing agents once they are absorbed into the skin. Perhaps this is why more and more people are developing skin cancer, despite the increasing use of sun lotions. "Sunscreens may be doing more harm than good," says lead researcher Dr. Kerry Hanson. "Combine this with the fact that some people actually will stay in the sun longer and may suffer from overexposure because they feel that they are completely protected by SPF products and you have a confusing issue." Myth 4: Tanning while pregnant will cook the baby. There is no current scientific and/or biological reason why a pregnant woman cannot tan. In fact, some researchers believe the productions of vitamin D caused by exposure to UVB may be beneficial to both the mother and fetus. It is important to note that indoor tanning equipment utilizing either primarily UVA (as in high-pressure tanning equipment) or UVA and UVB (as in low-pressure products) penetrate the layers of the epidermis, dermis, and in some cases, the subcutaneous layer of the skin. It does not however, have sufficient energy to penetrate any further. UV tanning rays do not penetrate to a depth that would directly affect a fetus. However, there is some concern that the heat build-up, which inevitably occurs when tanning indoors and outdoors, may adversely affect some pregnant women, just as a sauna or Jacuzzi might. One of the biggest concerns regarding tanning and pregnancy lies with the possibility of dehydration or overheating, which is referred to medically as hyperthermia. In the initial stages of pregnancy, there are certain studies that have linked extreme hyperthermia to birth defects including heart problems, abdominal-wall defects and problems with the development of the nervous system. Most of these problems are rare, have not been linked to indoor tanning and only have been associated with prolonged exposure to temperatures of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or more for several hours in the early stages of pregnancy. Fortunately, regulatory standards typically limit the maximum temperature for commercial tanning devices to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. As a rule, in the later stages of pregnancy, most doctors report that a normal fetus is less sensitive to heat, although caution should still be exercised. Because of heat and the possibility of a pregnant tanner to stand up and pass out from her hormonal change due to over heating, we do not allow our pregnant tanners to use our tanning units while they are pregnant.
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