There are plenty of us that feel healthier when our skin is tanned. If you want a tan the choices come down to a fake-tan product, laying in the sun, or a tanning bed.

One of the benefits of using a tanning bed is that it does not matter what the weather is doing outside - sun-bathing outside rarely being an agreeable thing to do in winter. Another positive thing is that using a tanning bed means that you can time the amount of exposure you are getting - tanning beds are no different from the sun when it comes to giving off damaging rays.

Anyone who elects to use a tanning bed needs to be aware of all the safety issues. For a start, do not believe that it is completely safe, like some unscrupulous advertisers might suggest. Know the facts and you can look after yourself.

To understand why you hear the safe-tan claim made for sun beds, we need to detour into a little science. Sunlight is made up of ultraviolet light - this is what leads to the tan. Scientists divide this light into UVa and UVb light, with UVb causing burning more easily that UVa. Early tanning machines were UVb sources, which was fairly harmful, and all modern machines are UVa sources, which is more healthy. Though it is true that chances of burning quickly are less with UVa, it is wrong to suggest that this form of ultraviolet light is safe. It is still important to keep a watchful eye on the clock when using a UVa tanning bed.

Watch out for any suggestion that the beds are so safe that tanning goggles are unnecessary. Even UVa light is damaging to our eyes, so you should insist on goggles every time. You cannot substitute for the goggles by closing your eyes, using standard sunglasses, or by placing rounds of cotton wool over your eyelids. Tanning centers are required by the Food and Drug Administration to use goggles, so you are best advised not to use one that does not insist on this.

The next thing to think about is the idea of a year-round tan. Is this something you really want? If you live in a country with seasons, it is sometimes nice that you reflect the seasons a little bit - paler in the winter, slightly more tanned in the summer. Okay, if you are desperate for a year round tan, well it's your body, but you should be aware that even tanning beds have a premature aging effect on skin. It is something to think about.

If you have kids then you need to be especially cautious on their behalf. When a child's skin is burned the skin is more deeply effected, according to scientific research. This research was based on UVb studies, yet those in the know strongly advise care when using sun beds. At the end of the day, you might decide that it is not worth the risk simply so a child can have a bit of a tan.

For some people it is important that they seek medical advice before using a tanning station. Diabetics, lupus sufferers or people who tend to get cold sores may find that sun beds aggravate these conditions. Certain medicines - tranquilizers, antihistamines and some birth control pills - can make your skin sensitive to the rays from a tanning machine. The wisest advice for anyone just starting out with an artificial tanning machine is to have a chat with your physician.

If you want a tan badly enough, then go ahead an use an artificial tan bed. Taking note of the guidance and warnings above can help make it as safe as possible to get that desired tan.