I often have clients ask what the difference is between UVA and UVB sun rays. This is often followed by the question: why are tanning beds safer? Well let me answer both of those starting with the difference between the 2 rays:
Both names start with UV for Ultra Violet so essentially you have Ultraviolet Type A (UVA) and Ultraviolet type B (UVB)
UVA rays are typically considered safer in moderation than UVB rays. Outdoors, the strength of UVA rays is the same all year long. The have an energy per photon of 3.14-3.94 eV and are considered a "long wave" or "black light" wave. While UVA rays can cause problems when overexposed (such as laying in the sun for hours regardless of how much sunscreen you slather on), they are not the type of rays that cause the dangerous burning of the skin, unless of course you do as I mentioned above and bake yourself for hours on end, which can lead to a multitude of skin problems such as premature aging. As with anything, moderation is always the key.
UVB rays were originally considered to be the "tanning" ray. We now know that it is in fact, the ray that causes your skin to burn more quickly. They have a higher energy per photon (3.94-4.43 eV) and are "middle waves" meaning that although they penetrate less quickly than UVA rays, they affect the melanin (the stuff that causes your skin to tan) more deeply, resulting in a higher burning rate.
Now, why are tanning beds safer than sun exposure? Tanning bed lamps are typically made up of 97-99% UVA rays (depending on the quality of the bed) and 1-3% UVB rays. Since you are limited to no more than 15-20 minutes in a bed, your risk of burning is minimal. Plus, using a good salon with a knowledgeable staff will help you to get the right amount of exposure for your skin type. A good top quality lotion will also help keep your skin moisturized and give you quicker results in less time.
Something important to look for is whether or not the lamps in your bed are giving off bright light all the way through the lamps or whether they are appear darker than they should. Dark or dull lamps give off a higher amount of UVB rays. A good salon knows to change lamps at least every 1000 hours and the best salons will change them as often as 800-900 hours for your safety.
I'm working on an article where I visited beds in Greensboro/High Point/Kernersville and that will give you more specifics on my opinion of the salons to go to and the ones to avoid. For now though, I will tell you that if you are in High Point, I recommend The Tan Line on N. Main St and if you are in Greensboro, I recommend Got Sun? on New Garden Rd. Both of these salons are the only ones I have found that are diligent about changing their lamps as needed and ensuring that every client tans properly.
If you have any questions I didn't answer, feel free to leave a comment or drop me a line!
