Posted : 05/01/2002

Posted : 05/01/2002

Debunking Tanning Myths

--Guy Bognanno, Tanline Tan & Travel, Wollaston, Mass.

Is it true that indoor tanning can damage your internal organs? This question has come up just about every year that I have been in business.

Tanline Tan & Travel uses the EuroBronze Magnifier and the new Flagship series of VHO reflector lamps from International Tan Makers. ITM is a Light Sources customer.

I think this question has been asked every year that I have been in the industry, too! I would have to say that this probably falls into the "urban myth" category, along with alligators roaming the sewers of New York City.

Remember, indoor tanning represents a controlled method of obtaining a cosmetic tan. Low-pressure lamps (which make up the majority of sunlamps in the United States) use a combination of UVA and UVB. UVC is very destructive to organisms and can be used as a germicidal in some applications. It is not emitted to the tanner during indoor tanning.

A minimal amount of UVB is used to stimulate the production of melanin, and the UVA portion is used to oxidize or darken this rising pigment. UVB is the shorter wavelength of the two and offers only enough energy to primarily penetrate the epidermis. The UVA wavelength is longer and can penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis layer, with some migration into the subcutaneous layer of the skin.

High-pressure lamps, or quartz lamps, typically offer output of UVA to achieve the tanning process. However, there isn't sufficient energy for these wavelengths to penetrate any further. The outdoor sun not only offers UVA and UVB, but in areas where the ozone layer is deteriorating, UVC can start to reach the earth. Even so, I haven't heard of anyone frying their organs with exposure to the natural sun!

When choosing to obtain a tan indoors, please do so in moderation and responsibly. If you have a question that you would like answered in this forum, e-mail joe_lsi@bellsouth.net.

For more information on Light Sources lamp products, go to the source at www.light-sources.com.