Beds
Tanning salons are growing in number and so are their customers.
The increase in the number of customers as well as the prevalence of children as young as 11, who are visiting tanning salons are alarming. These tanning salons are equipped with tanning beds that emit ultraviolet rays to produce the same tanning effect as the sun without actually exposing to it.
A tanning bed, also called sun bed, is a device that emits ultraviolet radiation to produce a tan ideally for cosmetic purposes. The ultraviolet rays emitted by these devices are a combination of 97% UVA and 3%UVB. There are many variations of sun beds and it is up to the manufacturer's specs to determine how long the ideal exposure to these devices is. However, a 20-minute exposure is considered sufficient to get the desired golden skin.
Too much exposure to the sun has its perils and most of the people are aware of that. Although it doesn't immediately perceive itself until a person is in his/her 50's, melanoma skin cancer is rising in number. Experts are blaming the thinning ozone layer, the intensity of the ultraviolet rays, and tanning beds.
In general, experts say there is no such thing as a safe tan. Exposure to ultraviolet rays, whether obtained from the sun or tanning beds, damages the skin still the same, increasing the risks of premature aging and skin cancer. Ultraviolet (regardless of source) has been classified by the National Institutes of Health as a carcinogen just like tobacco. The stern warning on indoor tanning is especially issued for customers below 18 years.
The ages of people having skin cancer are getting younger and younger but tanning seems to be addictive. Some people actually have more than 100 sessions in a year, which is way over the limit of only 20 sessions according to a group of British suntan experts. Tanning can be addictive since endorphins are released per session, providing that pleasant feeling.
In Europe, tanning sessions are like getting a movie ticket for oneself – it is that cheap that even teenagers are affording them. It is unfortunate that children don't realize the dangers they are exposing themselves through a tanning bed. Although doctors advise tanning beds to treat certain skin problems, it should only be under their supervision.
There are serious problems associated with tanning that far outweighs the so-called benefits of a "golden skin tone". Tanning increases a person's risk of skin cancer, it causes premature aging whether the tan was taken from a tanning session, damages the eyes, and is detrimental to a person's health.
Although you'd only be lying inside a tanning device for a few minutes, the experience can also be uncomfortable since a tanning bed does not feature a cushion that should support your entire body. You might want to seek the cushioning effects of air beds to restore that posture.
Air beds are excellent at conforming to your body's contours to keep its natural alignment when lying down. This type of bed is also very convenient to use when you are trying to maximize a room's space. Air beds are inflatable when you need them and can be deflated and stored later on.
Air beds are generally made of plastic but this doesn't mean they are hot on the skin. Today's designs have cottony covers in high thread counts for that overall comfort. Moreover, if you want to take comfort to a higher level, you can add some bed linens to feel cool after a tanning session. Bed linens are available in thread counts over 1000, the types that are exceptionally silky to the touch.
While tanning beds are a no-no for all ages, using air beds and bed linens definitely has no consequences.