Indoor Tanning Benefits

Indoor tanning was first established as a therapeutic means to obtain the psychological and physiological benefits of UV light exposure. Each year, about 10 percent of the American population prefers to tan indoors.

History

The practice of indoor tanning first became popular in the northern Europe during the 1970s due to the positive effects of UV light exposure in sun-deprived regions.

Function

Many use indoor tanning for cosmetic benefits and find it an ideal alternative to outdoor tanning. Indoor tanning is popular for the prevention of sunburns while reaping the benefits of UV light exposure at safe levels.

Types

There are two types of indoor tanning methods. The standard, traditional bed where you must lay down horizontally to tan, and the newer stand-up version. Depending on the bed's UV light bulb strength, you can obtain a daily maximum exposure within 10 to 25 minutes.

Benefits

The primary benefit to indoor tanning is the process of UV light aiding the body in the production of vitamin D, which prevents health issues such as hypertension and depression (see Resources).

Warning

Indoor tanning can cause sunburn and skin irritation if time regulations are not followed. Beginning tanners must start out with short exposures varying from 5 to 7 minutes, and then build up to the standard 25 minutes of daily exposure. As with all UV light exposure, extreme care and caution must be taken to prevent skin damage and further health issues such as melanoma and skin cancer.

Resources

• The Indoor Tanning Association
• The UV Foundation
• The Vitamin D Council