Many people love having a golden tan all year long. When seasonal changes make outdoor sun bathing impractical, it is possible to get similar results indoors using a tanning bed. Although commercial salons are always popular, increasing numbers of users are choosing to buy their own equipment. Regular tanning bed bulb replacement helps ensure optimal performance.
Although many platform styles exist, they are all similar in function. Users recline on a pod-like, padded bed with a hinged cover containing radiant light fixtures. When the unit is closed and running, the low- or high-pressure light sources produce ultraviolet radiation in amounts higher than occur naturally. The light can be well-controlled, limiting overexposure. Low-pressure units resemble long fluorescent lights.
They operate in conjunction with a ballast, or device which regulates current flow. Like a neon sign, light is produced by exciting phosphors coating the interior, emitting photons that reproduce the skin darkening effects of solar rays. The glass that contains the gases and phosphors effectively filters all UVC (ultra-violet C), but allows radiation to pass through and interact with the melanin in human skin.
The highest pressure sources are usually called bulbs rather than tubes, and come in an assortment of shapes, sizes, and strengths. Good for targeting specific regions such as the face, most handle from 250 to 2000 watts of power, but are not usually more than five inches long. Bulbs produce mainly UVA, a light product that has proven instrumental in sterilizing medical equipment.
The lamps and bulbs necessary for successful home use normally last between 1000 and 2000 hours. Some users may not realize is that they are most effective in the first fifty hours, and after that time output begins to slowly but steadily fade. While the fixtures will keep on providing bright light, they may not produce the best results, causing many to opt for new ones at the half-way mark of five- to eight-hundred hours.
Even when most individual lights still seem to be working acceptably, some producers advocate replacing all high-pressure bulbs at the same time, or at minimum rotating them inside the unit. This improves overall efficiency, and allows the device to produce safer and more effective ultra-violet radiation over all areas of the body. Individual skin sensitivity varies, and what burns one person may have little effect on others.
The bulbs are not always interchangeable among brands, although they may look the same. Even if one fits, it may generate too much or not enough heat, and can result in electrical problems. Keeping all the operating information that is included with a new unit is recommended, and when necessary and possible, seek replacements from the seller. Buying off-brands may save money, but may also prove to be unsatisfactory.
Make sure that any new bulbs meet specific UVA and UVB exposure requirements, and keep some extra units handy. Some people find that bulk buying not only saves money, but also time and frustration when an inconvenient failure occurs. For questions regarding the safest and most efficient products for a particular unit, the seller will be able to recommend compatible, safe units that match all system requirements.
Although many platform styles exist, they are all similar in function. Users recline on a pod-like, padded bed with a hinged cover containing radiant light fixtures. When the unit is closed and running, the low- or high-pressure light sources produce ultraviolet radiation in amounts higher than occur naturally. The light can be well-controlled, limiting overexposure. Low-pressure units resemble long fluorescent lights.
They operate in conjunction with a ballast, or device which regulates current flow. Like a neon sign, light is produced by exciting phosphors coating the interior, emitting photons that reproduce the skin darkening effects of solar rays. The glass that contains the gases and phosphors effectively filters all UVC (ultra-violet C), but allows radiation to pass through and interact with the melanin in human skin.
The highest pressure sources are usually called bulbs rather than tubes, and come in an assortment of shapes, sizes, and strengths. Good for targeting specific regions such as the face, most handle from 250 to 2000 watts of power, but are not usually more than five inches long. Bulbs produce mainly UVA, a light product that has proven instrumental in sterilizing medical equipment.
The lamps and bulbs necessary for successful home use normally last between 1000 and 2000 hours. Some users may not realize is that they are most effective in the first fifty hours, and after that time output begins to slowly but steadily fade. While the fixtures will keep on providing bright light, they may not produce the best results, causing many to opt for new ones at the half-way mark of five- to eight-hundred hours.
Even when most individual lights still seem to be working acceptably, some producers advocate replacing all high-pressure bulbs at the same time, or at minimum rotating them inside the unit. This improves overall efficiency, and allows the device to produce safer and more effective ultra-violet radiation over all areas of the body. Individual skin sensitivity varies, and what burns one person may have little effect on others.
The bulbs are not always interchangeable among brands, although they may look the same. Even if one fits, it may generate too much or not enough heat, and can result in electrical problems. Keeping all the operating information that is included with a new unit is recommended, and when necessary and possible, seek replacements from the seller. Buying off-brands may save money, but may also prove to be unsatisfactory.
Make sure that any new bulbs meet specific UVA and UVB exposure requirements, and keep some extra units handy. Some people find that bulk buying not only saves money, but also time and frustration when an inconvenient failure occurs. For questions regarding the safest and most efficient products for a particular unit, the seller will be able to recommend compatible, safe units that match all system requirements.
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