The promise of a bronzed glow year-round draws many to tanning beds. In only a few minutes per session you can achieve a tan even in the middle of winter. But, the American Cancer Society reports tanning beds can increase your risk of developing melanoma, a particularly deadly form of skin cancer. People who regularly use tanning beds are eight times more likely to develop melanoma than people who have never used a tanning bed. Different types of tanning beds offer different tanning experiences, but all expose you to harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Regular
Regular tanning beds, sometimes known as low-intensity or low-pressure tanning beds, use a series of fluorescent light bulbs to surround the person lying in the tanning bed. Low pressure tanning bulbs emit a mixture of UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays provide the bronzing tanners desire, while UVB rays help your body produce Vitamin D--but can also cause sunburn. Low pressure bulbs emit an average of 94 to 97 percent UVA rays and 3 to 6 percent UVB rays. Regular tanning beds tan you more slowly and require more sessions to achieve a tan.
High Pressure
High pressure tanning beds feature the same design as regular tanning beds, with bulbs surrounding a reclining tanner, but the bulbs in these beds emit more UVA rays, allowing you to tan much faster with a lower risk of burning. The small amount of UVB rays stimulate the body to produce melanin, and the UVA rays oxidize the melanin, resulting in a golden or bronze tan. According to the American Cancer Society, UVA rays are most likely responsible for skin cancer, so high pressure tanning beds may present an increased cancer risk.
Tanning Booth
Instead of reclining in a tanning bed, the tanner stands up in a tanning booth. The occupant of the booth tans all the way around without having to shift position. This eliminates problems with the skin not tanning any place it touches the bed. Tanning booths may feature low pressure or high pressure bulbs. A fan helps keep the tanner from getting too hot while using the booth.
