Technical Aspects of High-Pressure Tanning

High-pressure tanning systems utilize lamps filled with mercury vapor (under high pressure, hence the name) that can develop very high UVR intensity levels. Special blue glass filters are used to remove unwanted wavelengths of UVR, primarily UVB (280 nm-320 nm) and UVA2 (320 nm-340 nm), leaving most of the UVA1 (340 nm-400 nm) wavelengths intact.

Keep in mind that UVB at 305 nm has 1,000 to 1,200 times more sunburning power than does UVA1 at 365 nm. This is why high-pressure systems are much less likely to cause a sunburn when compared to tube type tanning systems.

However, that does not mean high-pressure systems cannot cause a sunburn—they can and do if used unwisely. Obviously, great care must be exercised when tanning the most UVR-sensitive individuals with both high-pressure and tube type tanning systems.

It is generally accepted that a high-pressure tanning system can produce a deeper, darker and longer-lasting tan than does a tube type system. This is because the UVA1 wavelengths penetrate more deeply into the skin than do UVB and UVA2 wavelengths and, therefore, are able to oxidize melanin granules farther away from the surface of the skin. Since these oxidized granules will take longer to reach the surface of the skin, the tan produced by a high-pressure system will be deeper, darker and longer-lasting.

Some anti-tanning individuals have stated that the fact that UVA1 wavelengths penetrate more deeply into the skin that there is the potential for collagen damage. First of all, there is no evidence to support this contention and it must be remembered that the wavelengths penetrating the deepest into the skin are the visible (400 nm-700 nm) and the near-infrared (700 nm-1,000 nm) and the infrared (1,000 nm-4,000 nm). Therefore, if UVA1 wavelengths are harmful, then visible and infrared photons also must be harmful and, once again, there is no credible medical evidence to support his contention.

Moreover, since recent research shows that there is enough UVB present in the typical high-pressure system to stimulate the production of both melanin and vitamin D, this fact will also stimulate the acceptance of high-pressure tanning systems by both tanning salon owners and clients alike.