The Red and Black

Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: Variety

Media Credit: SARA GUEVARA [Click to enlarge]

Tanning beds are a popular means to that summer glow most people desire. During the winter, the beds receive an influx of tanners who don't want to rock the pasty look through the cold holiday months.

Here are some pros and cons of those hot light cylinders.

Safe?

Campbell said although there may be benefits, he warns against the dangers of tanning bed rays.

"UVA and UVB rays from a tanning salon are not regulated by the FDA," he said.

Depressed?

Some customers at Silver Sun Tan have been referred to tanning salons by their doctors.

The main cause of SAD, seasonal adverse depression, is lack of sunlight.

For students with busy day time schedules, 10-15 minutes in a tanning bed is the easiest option.

Dr. Campbell said he has SAD patients that use bright sun lights in their homes to increase their sun exposure.

Tan Man

Too proud, men? Madison, an employee at Silver Sun Tan, said a little less than half of customers are male.

She said they "get a lot of body builders, and sometimes old men like to mystic tan."

UVA and UVB Rays

First time tanning? Silver Sun Tan's tanning specialist Megan McFaddin, a sophomore from Eatonton, recommends her first time customers start off in a browning bed.

Browning beds have bulbs with UVA rays, which are less damaging than the harsher UVB rays.

"The browning bed is not only the safest option but also gives you a longer lasting tan," she said.

Aging

Skin on the face, neck and chest is much more delicate and prone to aging than the rest of the body.

For this reason, many tanning salons offer beds without face bulbs.

Stronger Bones

Significant research has shown that tanning allows the body to naturally produce more Vitamin D, which helps maintain strong bones and joints.

Athens dermatologist Ross M. Campbell, M.D., said this research is "absolutely correct."

"It only takes five to 10 minutes of direct sunlight to produce the body's daily need of Vitamin D," he said.

Dry Skin

If you are tanning, it is important to use a moisturizer.

Within four minutes of tanning sans moisturizing or sunblock products, your skin will be completely dried out.

Fast Color

Need a quick tan? Use a Level 1, High Pressure bed. Although these beds only use the stronger and more damaging UVB rays, they give you color faster.

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