Posted : 06/01/2004

Posted : 06/01/2004

by Joe Schuster

Indoor tanning equipment offers two different types, or combinations, of lamps— low-pressure and high-pressure. Low-pressure lamps, which are the most common in the United States, are longer in length and use a low-pressure gas fill inside the tube. A mix of UVA and UVB phosphors are applied inside the tube which, when ignited or lit, provide a tanner with a tan. It is critical for the low-pressure lamp manufacturer to provide sufficient UVB to stimulate melanin production but minimize it to reduce its ability to produce erythema or sunburn. While people cannot produce more melanin, it can be stimulated. UVB is the most efficient means to stimulate melanin, and it also has a mild photo-protective effect.

High-pressure lamps, also known as HP, metal halide or quartz lamps, traditionally have been very popular in Europe and are increasing in the U.S. marketplace. High-pressure lamps are available in 400-, 500-, 1,000- and 2,000-watt versions with plug, snap-in or wire-lead configurations. (A new 800-watt high-pressure lamp is on the horizon.) The high-pressure tube produces a combination of UVA, UVB and UVC. However, through a series of filter glass, primarily UVA and a slight amount of UVB are allowed to be emitted to the tanner.

Although less likely to produce erythema than low-pressure lamps, high-pressure lamps possibly can burn a person. UVA lamps can produce a tan, but in some cases it may not develop the same amount of photo-protection for the tanner as low-pressure lamps— especially if the filters are designed to block a significant portion of UVB.

It is important to discuss filter glass when talking about high-pressure lamps. Typically, two types of glass have been used together to filter UV in the past—one that appears clear and one that is blue in color. Correct placement of this filter glass into its canister or component structure is the only way to ensure that the proper amount of UV will be offered to the tanner. When filter glass is misaligned, a narrow band of unfiltered UV can be emitted to the tanner and cause a serious burn. Newer tanning units may offer a single piece of glass to produce the same filtering result.

Technological advancements have made a style of high-pressure tanning available in select low-pressure lamps. Careful and precise blending of specialized phosphors can yield a spectral output that closely simulates the high-pressure output curve. This type of lamp currently is available as A Power Technology from Light Sources and compatible with various lamp applications from 100-watt to 200-watt/2-meter. The lamp can be used in many new equipment applications and in replacement lamp applications.