Where to Purchase Tanning Bed Bulbs

Despite warnings of skin cancer, many societies nevertheless consider tanned skin to be a sign of health and beauty. In order to achieve and maintain a tan, many people rely upon the use of tanning beds. While some regularly visit salons, many other people opt to purchase their own tanning bed. Although owning a personal tanning bed requires regular maintenance, for most tanners, the cost is still much less than visiting a salon. Tanning bed bulbs are no exception and, when purchased from a reputable company, cost little more than a regular light bulb.

Function

Inside a tanning bed, you will find approximately 10 to 50 fluorescent light bulbs. Each of these bulbs uses between 100 and 200 watts of electricity, and when powered on, each bulb emits a combination of UVA rays (the rays that tan your skin) and UVB rays (the rays responsible for skin damage). A typical tanning bed bulb emits about 95% UVA rays and 5% UVB rays and lasts for approximately 10,000 hours.

Features

Unlike regular light bulbs, a tanning bed bulb does not regulate the amount of electricity flow. As a result, each bulb contains a type of inductor known as a choke ballast. This small feature limits the amount of current passing through the bulb, ensuring that the lamps use the least amount of wattage needed to work effectively.

Types

The majority (98%) of home tanning beds use a 100 watt, F71 type bulb. Although regular tanning bed bulbs are most commonly used, your tanning bed may use bronzing or hot bulbs. Bronzing bulbs help tanners achieve a darker tan by offering lower levels of UVB rays and higher levels of UVA rays. Hot bulbs work in reverse--emitting more UVA rays and less UVA rays to create a faster (but lighter) tan. You can also find tanning bed bulbs in several colors such as blue, pink and green. Please note, however, that these bulbs have no added benefits and are used merely for cosmetic purposes.

Considerations

To make the most out of your tanning bed system, your bulbs should be replaced after 1,000 hours of use. As long as you select the correct wattage and bulb type, you can use tanning bulbs from any manufacturer or brand. Many companies also sell kits that include a complete set of bulbs for easier and more cost-efficient bulb replacement. Visit the sites below to find great deals on your next tanning bed bulbs.

Warning

Although tanning bed bulbs do not transmit as much UV radiation as the sun, overuse can still lead to skin damage. While most tanning beds emit mostly UVA rays (the less harmful type of UV radiation), many scientists believe these rays are responsible for premature aging of the skin and therefore feel that indoor tanning is no safer than exposure to natural sunlight.

Resources

• Discount Tanning Bed Bulbs
• Factory Direct Tanning Bed Bulbs
• Wolff Tanning Bed Bulbs