Tanning Lamp Basics

[RTD]

Tanning lamps are an essential aspect of your salon. They can make or break your bottomline.
If they don’t do the job, you lose clients. If they cost too much you lose profits.
You are a salon owner and you purchase lamps for your equipment. You want the most lamp you
Can get for your money, so do you know…..

What percentage of light emitted from your lamp is actual UV light?
What type of UV light dictates your session time?
What makes a “compatible lamp” compatible?
How the temperature of your salon effects the lamp output?
Why doesn’t a Duck’s quack echo? (This has nothing to do with tanning, but I am curious)

Here is information that I’ve put together with the generous help of many of the Tanning Lamp OEMs, the articles in Island Sun Times and scientific web pages. This information is about low pressure tanning systems. The idea is that the more you know, the better equipped you will be when you purchase lamps.
The lamp OEMs are a valuable resource. They have all been open and helpful about their products, testing procedures and results.


Terms to know:
Nanometers- (abbrv. nm) the units of which light are measured. Ultraviolet Light is between 100 and 400 nanometers. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. (Sounds like a Mork from Ork name. Also called nanos. Try to avoid making it too technical by calling them the tiny light measure thingies.)

Ultraviolet Light - (abbrv. UV) the range of light above visible and below X-rays. Between 100 and 400 nm. For our purposes, that is .. the effect of UV Light in regards to the tanning process.. UV light has been broken down into designations based on their effect of skin in the tanning process. In laymen’s terms the slower or lower the wave length the less penetration of the epidermis (skin). The higher the nm within each range limits, the more effective that light is in the tanning process.

Ultraviolet Light C- (abbrv. UVC) UV light range of 100 to 280 nm. Plays no part in tanning and are absorbed by earth’s atmosphere. (good thing, it’s deadly to humans)

Ultraviolet Light B- (abbrv. UVB) UV light in the range of 280 to 320 nm. The UV light most responsible for pinkening, reddening and burning of the upper skin surface (epidermis) contributes to skin aging/Vitamin D production/melanin production. Peak performance is between the range of 296-302nm.
*Not all UVB is created equal. UVB @ 300 nm triggers 40 times more melanin production than UVB @ 314 nm.

Ultraviolet Light A-(abbrv. UVA) UV light in the range of 320 to 340 nm. The UV light responsible for the darkening of melanin. Because of the extreme differences of the effects within the UVA operating range, UVA has been broken into 2 designations, UVA1 and UVA2.

Ultraviolet Light A1-(abbrv. UVA1) UVA Light between 340 nm and 400 nm. The higher or faster range of UVA. Current research that shows UVA1 the more effective range of UVA. Essentially, the faster or higher the nanometers, the deeper the light penitrates the skin and the darker the melanin becomes. (within the limits of each person’s melanin production based on heredity and genetic makeup)
Note: A UVA photon of at 302 nm produces 100 times more erythema (pinking of the skin) than a UVA photon of 320 nm.

Ultraviolet Light A2 - (abbrv. UVA2): UV light range of 320 – 340 and acts a lot like UVB, with melanin production and some pigment darkening. It is also closely associated with elastosis (photoaging, wrinkles).

Erythema-The reddening or pinkening of the skin. A product of UVB. (so does this mean that VHO erythema is another name for sunburn?)

MED - (Minimum Erythemal Dose): An MED is the least amount of UV Light exposure a person can receive and generate pigmentation while avoiding sunburn. A tanning unit session can offer a maximum of 4 MED’s.

Melanogenesis - The formation of melanin. This production is triggered by exposure to UVB. Then darkened by exposure to UVA.

High Output - (HO) A lamp and tanning equipment designation based on the working wattage measurement below 140 watts.

Very High Output- (VHO)A lamp designation based on the working wattage measurement above 140 watts.
(personally both of these designations drive me crazy. Since when is the word VERY a unit of measurement. But too be fair, tanning isn’t the only industry to use such terms. VHF radio is Very High Frequency. UHF is Ultra High Frequency. Although this shows the designations to be common it still doesn’t answer the question as to who is stronger Superman or Ultraman)

End Darkening- the black or grey stains that appear at the tops of lamps. Most often noticed in higher wattage – 140 watts or higher-. This occurs because of the heat created by start up. This evaporates the emitter material on the coil which stains the inner lamp ends. Some lamps color the ends to hide the stains. It can also “sometimes” mean that the starters might need to be replaced. It does not denote a lamp that needs to be replace nor does it affect the performance of the tanning lamp.

Working Wattage- Wattage is actually heat, not output. The working wattage is sometimes different than the wattage marked on the lamp. The working wattage is determined by the ballast of the bed, within limits defined as HO and VHO. Put a 60 or 80 or 100 or 120 watt lamp (HO) in a tanning unit with an 80 watt ballast and the output will be 80 watts. In the same way, a 140 up to 200 watt lamp (VHO) is restricted by the ballast of the tanning unit.
(note: ballast/lamp differences can be responsible for changes in effectiveness, operating temperature and lamp life). Problems will arise if you exceed those limits.

a HO lamp on VHO ballast:
Lamp will start
Performance will be poor
Life will be short.

a VHO lamp on HO ballast:
No start or problems starting
Performance very poor.

Maximum Session Time- the amount of time that a tanning unit deliveries 4 MEDs. This is determined by ballasts, lamps, the configuration of the exposure surface (canopy, pedestal, reflectors, and acrylics), the cooling system, and operating temperature and adjusted for skin types. (not always an exact science). Since exposure to UVB is responsible for erythema the amount of UVB determines the session time

Compatible Lamps- How often have you heard this term? To be FDA compliant, a replacement lamp must be "+" or "-" 10% of the original lamp’s erythemegenic and melanogenic output and cannot alter the maximum session time of the bed. Compatible does not automatically mean the "same as" or "equal to". The effective lamp life can be different. The UV light could be generated at different nanometers. Therefore you could purchase a less expensive “compatible” lamp that costs more to own than the original equipment.
e.g.
Lamp A costs 18.99. Produces effective output through 800 hours of operation.
Lamp B costs 11.99. Produces effective output for 500 hours, but has a sharper degradation curve. (the measurable output)
Lamp A costs 2 1/3 cents per hour
Lamp B costs 2 1/3 cents per hour, but its output is lower than Lamp A at 250 hours and even worse at 350 hours. Lamp B has to be replaced more often (labor cost) and shipping costs have to be factored in as well.

Under this example, Lamp B would not be a bargain at 10.99 or even 9.99 per lamp.
This information should be part of your lamp buying decision process. The usable lamp life and UV Light nanometer rating should be available on the lamp producer's web sites or by request from your distributor. If it is not, think carefully before making the purchase to get true value for your money.

Percentage of UVB – (a lamp rating?) – this is not as straight forward as it sounds. The 100% of a lamp output is broken down into (approx.) 65% heat, 10% visible light and 25% UV light. It is the ratio of UVB to total UV light that determines the percentage of UVB.
Thus 1.5 watts of UVB out of 25 watts of total UV light equals: 1.5 divided by 25 = 6% UVB.

Using this number to rate a UV lamp is a mistake. If you change the total amount of UV light in a lamp it changes the percentage of UVB without changing the actual amount of UVB.

1.5 watts UVB divided by 25 watts total UV light = 6% UVB
1.5 watts UVB divided by 20 watts total UV light = 7.5 % UVB
1.5 watts UVB divided by 30 watts total UV light = 5% UVB

AND to add to the mix is the fact that not all UVB is created equal. UVB generated at the lower end of the spectrum stimulates less melanin than UVB at the higher end and should be taken into consideration as well.
All of this information including the UVA spectrum can be found on the sites of most Lamp OEM sites. If getting the best lamp for your money and giving your clients the best exposure is important to you then many factors have to be explored to make an informed choice.

BRONZING/REDDENING LAMPS – What exactly does this mean? Have you ever read a description that makes any sense? Does “Bronzing/Reddening” have a numerical definition that you have ever seen?
Does a “Bronzing/Reddening” lamp give you 10 degrees more color or maybe 23.76% more color than another compatible lamp? Does it? How did they measure that? More important and certainly more to the point, what kind of results will your client see, accept or even notice. Is it a case of the emperor’s new clothes?
(That refers to a fable about an emperor that is conned by 2 ego stroking “taylors” that dress him in nothing and convince him that he is wearing a perfect set of clothes. Everyone else around the ruler is afraid to say anything as he prances about naked until one little boy plainly states “he’s naked” and then the fraud falls apart?)
Is “Bronzing” defined as immediate dark color? Then the lamp would have more UVB to pink up the skin, but that effect is temporary, unless you exceed 4 MEDs. If so, that is called sunburn.
Is “Bronzing” defined as darker colored melanin? Then that lamp has less UVB and more UVA1 and the effect is not seen until the next day and the end result is subjective. That is, the result cannot achieve more than the individual genetic makeup allows.
Reddening is accomplished by raising the skin temperature. Raise it too much and it is called sunburn. It is not desirable and is only temporary. No lamp can add real red color to your melanin. Only genetics can determine that.
All tanning lamps Bronze and Redden.

THE PERFECT LOW PRESSURE TANNING LAMP;

The perfect tanning lamp is one that deliveries the desired amount of UVB, UVA1 and UVA2 in the shortest warm up time and maintains that level for the longest operating time at the lowest cost. This would stimulate the largest production of melanin with the least amount of skin surface reddening and drying and it would darken the produced melanin the deepest color. (and cost under $1.00)
Thus a small amount of UVB in the 296-302 NM. To allow enough session time to give maximum UVA1 exposure while stimulating the highest production of melanin. It would radiate very little UVA (320 to 340 NM). And the majority of the generated UV light as UVA1 in the upper spectrum of the 390 to 400 NM range. This is how a low pressure system could emulate a high pressure system.

(the following is just my opinion)
However, we do not deal with perfection, we deal with people. People who are often uninformed. People who carry their own prejudices, preconceived ideas and perceptions. It is to these people we must cater. Many clients would be disappointed by “the perfect tanning lamp”. Often they want feed back, immediate results. “The perfect tanning lamp” would give very little, if any, of this. The pinkening would be almost unnoticeable.
The results of a darker, deeper tan would not show up for a day or two. In time, with education, you should be able to overcome this problem, but the majority of our clients will still look for some immediate results. The immediate results of tanning unit exposure is a slight pinkening of the skin surface which increases the surface temperature which enlarges the capillaries allowing more blood flow, producing the APPEARANCE of darker melanin because the background is temporarily darken by blood flow. This effect fades as the body temperature is regulated. There is certainly nothing wrong with using a lamp as close to the perfect tanning lamp as possible, but it might be a change from the lamps you use now and to avoid possible problems you should take the time to instruct your clients of what to expect.

Facts to know:
The operating temperature of a tanning unit will affect the exposure rate of that unit. The temperature is affected by the operating system of the tanning unit and the temperature of the salon. Decrease the temperature and it will not deliver the full amount of exposure.
Increase the temperature and it will deliver a higher amount of exposure (to a certain point before it begins to degrade) Higher temperatures will also shorten lamp life.
In order to comply with FDA regulations, manufactures can adjust their units with larger fans, different ballasts, distances from the lamps to the client, etc. The most common operating temperature is plus or minus 10 degrees F. of 75 degrees.

Not all lamps are created equal. To get the most for your money make sure you are using long mount coils in 160w or higher VHO lamps. Coils or cathodes refer to the mechanical devices inside the lamp that emits the electrons which ionizes the gas fill.

You should use gloves when replacing all lamps. Skin oil on the lamps will negatively affect the lamp performance.

The use of a UVA/UVB meter is the simplest/least expensive way to determine the time to replace your lamps. The 70% of original reading replacement policy allows for a variety of lamp types, tanning units and tanning levels. This works as long as the readings are taken under the same conditions and at the same locations.

Most lamps lose the largest percentage numbers, per 100 hours, in the first 100 hours of their operation. A graph of the lamp life is available on most of the lamp producer’s web pages.

************************************************** **********************

OK So now you have the vocabulary. But what can you do with it? For one thing you can make sure you are getting the most lamp for your money. Before you buy, go the OEM’s site and compare the working life graph (it shows the output over the life of the lamp), percentage of UV light emitted and the spectral flux (the wattage) of UVA and UVB.
Got all that? Now What? Well, it’s up to you. What do you want to achieve?

Remember this fact “UVB exposure determines the session time limits.”
Therefore not only the amount of UVB but the nanometer reading of that UVB is a factor in the lamp you purchase.

For example. Let’s say you are in a very competitive environment and you want to have the absolute best lamps possible in your equipment. You research the compatible lamps for your beds and select the one that most closely matches “the perfect tanning lamp”.
This may not be the most durable lamp, but rather deliveries the most bang per session. Theoretically this means that you will be giving your clients the most UVA1 exposure possible per session. They should get darker color and select your salon over your competition.
Or
What if you decide to under lamp your Level One beds by selecting a lamp with a higher amount (not a higher percentage) of UVB thus limiting the amount of UVA exposure?
Why? Because if they are only getting a little pink and not getter dark color then they have to move up a level into more profitable beds where you have installed lamps with higher UVB nanometers and lots more UVA to give them the color they are seeking. (I wouldn’t do this, but it takes all kinds to make a world.)
OR
You want to make sure you are getting good value for your money. You want to know what you have and how it works. You want to have balanced, effective equipment.
**************************************************
If you have any questions, I will do my best to find the answer. If you think your question is too elementary and you don't want to sound as uninformed as I was before I spent way too much time trying to understand this stuff, PM me and I'll get back to you privately.
Thanks again to IST, the lamp OEMS and those who have taken the time to assemble and publish the various articles from which most of the above has been taken.

Soon to come. The information to be gained from the various graphs and charts of lamp tests. OK maybe not too soon, I am going to try to have time for essentials, like goofing off for awhile.

[Soo]

RTD....This was a great article....And a MAJOR refresher for those whom have taken their certification tests a long time ago and have forgotten much of what should be like 2nd nature especially to us owners ...as we are the for front of our clerks and continually need to refresh them...such as what each bed we have and how many watts and facials and everthing that should be told to a customer considering to entrust their bodies with our salon...

P.S. As for UVC...this was on a door in white letters in my home town and so me being a smart azzzzz I asked what a uvc was and she said I don't know...so I said why is it on your door then...so then I told her a thing or 2...and LMAO all the way home...hahahah and thats our so called competition???

P.S.S. I asked my Dad about the Duck situation when I was a little girl and he told me that the reason they don't echo is because they have never got a pair of ski's to fit the ducks feet to get him up high enuff into the mountains...and he would probably only yell "FOUR" all the way down anyway....heheheheh

Thanks for a wonderful refresher in PLAIN english....a pleasure...Soo

[Angelique]

Excellent post RTD! May I add something to it?

IPD Vrs DPD
IPD is immediate pigment darkening after exposure in a tanning bed (or the sun). To get IPD there must be some melanin already on the surface of the epidermis to oxidize. DPD is delayed pigment darkening. This is where a poster called “How your skin tans” by Smart Tan Network helps you educate your clients. You can show them how melanin is produced by stimulation of the melanocytes and how it takes time for this process because the melanin requires 24-48 hours to rise to the surface of the epidermis where it can then be oxidized by subsequent exposure to UV. Therefore someone who is just starting to tan, without a base tan, will take up to 3 weeks of 3 or 4 sessions per week to obtain a base tan.

You have to educate your clients about how the skin tans so they don't complain about exposure schedules and/or lack of results when they have unreasonable expecations.

It is much better to have every staff member be able to react intelligently to a client complaint.

Example from a real experience:
Client complains that they aren't seeing the results they desire and ask "When was the last time you changed your bulbs?".

Employee looks up their tanning records and evaluates the clients tanning habbits.

Client has only tanned 2 times a week in the past 2 months
Client has not purchased a lotion in over 6 months

By the employee being well educated and taking the time to explain to the client how the skin tans and the importance of maintaining moisture and the nutrients your skin needs a 3 x per week schedule was made in advance for the rest of that week and the following week and a lotion sale was made. We kept a client and made them happy... kept them from leaving us to go to a competitor thinking some other salons beds would tan them better.

I really stress to my staff that you have to keep track of your clients tanning histories so that you can recomend scheduling and lotions... ask questions about their tanning goals.

[RTD]

Excellent addition.
And a reminder to review employee knowledge and comfort level with that knowledge.