The process where skin pigmentation is darkened due to exposure to the ultraviolet light rays is known as "Tanning". The tanning process of skin is generally of two types. One is immediate tanning and the other is delayed tanning. The immediate tanning is caused by the Ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation of sunlight which appears just a short time after the sunbathing and usually lasts only a few hours or days. The delayed tanning is the response to the Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation of sunlight and usually appears 2-3 days after the sunbathing and lasts longer with the natural renewal of skin. The intensity of the tanning varies as it depends upon the type of skin.

Indoor Tanning Process and Devices

Indoor tanning has become very popular and just like regular tanning should include indoor tanning lotion. A clamshell like tanning bed is used as the tanning salon equipment in most of the tanning bed salons. Customers have to lie down on a plexiglass surface where the tanning bed lamps from above and below reach the customers body. The latest high tech tanning beds are called stand up tanning beds and don't require a person to lay down on plexiglass.

Most of the older tanning devices used the light sources that emitted short wave Ultraviolet B rays. These UVB radiation actually caused a burning sensation, hence the need for tanning bed lotions. The salon owners began using the tanning beds that emit mostly long wave Ultraviolet A rays from the light sources as the UVB radiation has many harmful effects. The UVA rays cause less burning than the UVB rays.

The harmful side effects of Tanning

The indoor tanning is very much responsible for the damages of our skin because of the emitting of ultraviolet rays. When the skin produces an additional pigment to protect against burning from ultraviolet rays at that time the tanning occurs. Eye injury, skin rashes and even skin cancer might develop due to the overexposure to the UV rays.

The ultra violet radiations from the sun and tanning bed lamps are most widely known to be responsible for skin cancer. UV rays have been known to even damage the immune system causing premature aging or wrinkling of the skin.

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