In the begining “Yes” but now “Absolutely not!” The answer is no. Tanning beds generate UVA or Long Wavelength UV. UVA penetrates the skin very deeply while the shorter wavelengths of UVB do not. UVA is used in photoherapy when combined with a Psoralen drug and the therapy is called PUVA.
In tanning bed antiquity, the UVB content was much higher. Today, in the USA, the FDA has regulated that the UVB content in tanning beds must be very low! Because of regulations, tanning beds produce only 4.2% to 6.5% UVB in the USA and typically 1% to 3% in Europe. To read the US FDA Regulations <Click Here>. The level of UVB radiation is in the following statement “Performance requirements–(1) Irradiance ratio limits. For each sunlamp product and ultraviolet lamp, the ratio of the irradiance within the wavelength range of greater than 200 nanometers through 260 nanometers to the irradiance within the wavelength range of greater than 260 nanometers through 320 nanometers may not exceed 0.003 at any distance and direction from the product or lamp. UVB is commonly defined as 280 to 320 nanometers.
Tanning Salons can be a risk for the typical consumer as the output from these beds can vary greatly from bed to bed and treatment/tanning times must be adjusted based on lamp power. When a bed is re-lamped and you are not told then a sunburn is very likely.
UVA wavelengths pass through the epidermis to the hypodermis Click on the image for a link to this photo's source.
Read this article http://www.pnas.org/content/101/14/4954.full which seems to indicate that UVA may be more dangerous than UVB. This is a complicated subject but it does appear that it is UVA that contributes to premature skin aging and is more likely to cause cancers of the skin.
UNDERSTANDING UV RAYS
“Most everyone is aware of the risks associated with UVB exposure, however there are real risks associated with UVA exposure including skin aging, DNA destruction and even skin cancer. Protecting your skin from UVA rays is just as important as protecting yourself against UVB rays.” – A quote by Dr. Henry Lim, Vice President-Elect, American Academy of Dermatology and Chairman of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI.
Here’s another posting at this blog on the diferences twixt UVA and UVB. See PUVA vs UVB NARROWBAND.
Don’t be fooled by the non-medical advice of a tanning salon owner! Check with your dermatologist.
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Thanks for noticing my blog. I just started his a short while ago and one never knows if people are reading it and getting anything from it.
If you have any questions I can answer, let me know.
Chris
Hi Chris,
I just moved to WA and would like to purchase a light therapy unit.
I also have adult acne and am interested in a light therapy unit which kills bacteria and helps clear the skin.
Do you know of a home unit which will do these 2 things?
thank you!!!
Hi Tonya
Yes, Red/Blue Acne Lights do this. We have two different units. A fluorescent light unit at http://www.beautyskinusa.com and an LED unit at http://www.LightsForHealth.com.
Cheers
Chris
Hi again,
So these acne lights also help with SAD condition?
Tonya
Sorry. SAD is treated with Bright Light Therapy. Our website for SAD Lights is http://www.sadlight.com
Do you have any recommendations on any manufactures or specific units when purchasing a narrow band unit for psoriasis?
Yes we do. We actually sell UVB and UVB Narrowband units at our http://www.homephototherapy.com/ and our http://www.dermalight80.com/ websites. The recommendation for a particular unit is dependent on the area(s) on your body that are affected and what coverage area you will need. You can phone me at 513-942-2770 or toll free 877-289-2656.
Chris
Hi if you use a handheld wand (nvb nb) would you tan funny if you only use it on specific areas of the face as the wand is only like 6″ by 2″ or so??
So how would you use it or if you have a link to explain?
Thanks
Fab
The tan you receive from UVB NB is not as deep or dark as that of UVA (Tanning Beds). The wands such as the http://www.dermalight80.com or http://www.dermalume2x.com are easy to use. I’m not sure what you are asking?
Hi chris maybe i didnt explain my self well i have vit patches on my face on both inner and outer cheeks, so say i use and build up the time on each facial section inner and outer cheeks (with the 2″ diameter wand) If i was to miss the nose area or the forehead or the very outer section of my cheeks(areas i DONT have vit)would i then tan funny.
Should i go over these sections(forehead,nose, very outer cheeks) to make them uniform or put a cloth over the wand lets say.Or maybe pass the wand slowly over the face from side to side(can that be done or is it better to stick the wand in the patch area and dont move it till its times up to move to the next patch?
Btw as i use selftanner as you may know to diminish the look of the patches would the UVB NB still penetrate through skin with a fake tan?
Sorry to be a pain but your help and advice would be soo helpful and i would be very thankfull as i live in the UK and derms here are damn expensive chris.
Thanks again
Fab
There is a school of thought that says that some of the ingredients in self tanning creams actually can trigger Vitiligo and shouls be avoided. You can find some info on this at the forum http://www.VitiligoSupport.com, use the search feature to go through their forums.
If it were me, I would not worry about treating areas with normal pigmentation. See http://www.vithappens.com/index.php/2010/07/with-vitiligo-should-i-mask-the-areas-that-have-pigment/ for a discussion on this subject.
Hi Chris,
I am currently attempting to treat my Vitiligo, which is mostly on my face, using a home tanning bed I have. The bed emits approximately 95% UVA and 5% UVB waves. I’ve read that there are topical psoralen creams, or even general psoralen medications that should be used to accompany this treatment option.
My doctor told me that I should be attempting to lightly burn the affected skin so that it becomes light pink in color, but I have not noticed this happening. Do you know if this type of therapy has shown any success without using the psoralen?
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks!
The use of a Psoralen with UVA is called PUVA and is still used in the treatment of Vitiligo although, today at least 95% of our sales are UVB Narrow Band for both Vitiligo and Psoriasis. The use of a tanning bed can be a risky with a Psoralen as the calibration and treatment times are critical. In the “Useful Pages” section (menu bar above) there is a link to Determining UV Treatment Time (THIS IS REALLY FOR UVB AND UVB NARROW BAND AND NOT PUVA) the link is http://www.theuvguy.com/?p=142
Without the use of Psoralen with UVA (PUVA), you are probably wasting your time.
I am currently getting full body UVB treatment for MYCOSIS FUNGOIDES. I go three times a week to the doctors office, and it is very inconvenient. Would I be able to purchase the UVB wand (dermalight80?) and use the wand instead of the doctors treatments?
Thanks.
Hi JM
Assuming your are in the USA then the FDA require that we have a prescription on file and once we have that you are free to purchase a Dermalight 80. I imagine that you have visited our http://www.dermalight80.com website.
Regards
Chris