Differences Between UVA and UVB rays

Tanning equipment has become one of the fastest growing industries in the world today. It is mainly because of various benefits it can provide on the user medically and aesthetically. The main purpose of the tanning beds is to produce artificial tanned color for its users. Tanning technology is developed over the years to address the growing needs of Vitamin D and sunlight is regarded as its primary source.

Tanning beds has emerged as the useful device for consumers who wanted tanning the most efficient way.

What are the differences between UVA and UVB rays?

It is important to familiarize first the comparison between these 2 types of ultraviolet rays being used for tanning. UVA rays are longer wavelengths of ultraviolet rays which penetrates the inner multilayers of the skin deeply while UVB rays can penetrate outermost part of the skin. These types of ultraviolet rays can give comparative results to the consumer. UVB Tanning beds produces shorter wavelengths of ultraviolet rays to boost the production of melanin, the brown pigment from our skin. UVA Tanning beds on the other hand are used to maintain the production of melanin to achieve desired tanning results. It can also reach deep layers of the skin such as stratum spinosum.

Although both types of tanning beds can produce controlled ultraviolet radiation, it performs its functions separately. UBA Tanning beds can be used for longer tanning sessions while UVB Tanning beds are limited to shorter sessions due to higher risk of burning. UVA tannings beds are equipped with regulated sun lamps and frequency ballast to control the ultraviolet emissions of the machine. Modern bed designs can emit on the average 93% to 99%UVA radiation or three times UVA radiations from the sun. UVB beds on the other hand, has an array of low to high pressure sun lamps which produces faster radiations depending on the person’s tanning desires. Another difference between these two is the appearances on the skin. UVA tanning beds gives more tanned color appearance while UVB is responsible to bring melanin on the skin surface. In addition to the frequent use of these beds, UVA beds can give you skin problems such as immature skin aging, rashes and wrinkles while UVB can lead you to more serious health problems such as skin cancer.

Tanning industry continues to develop combination of UVA and UVB to address both requirements for tanning. It is always advised to do tanning in moderate way whether the purposes are to improve skin appearances, acquire enough Vitamin D nutrients or to gain comfort on indoor tanning. Most of the tanning beds built today delivers competitive results based from the comfortable design of the bed, lower electrical usage and environment-friendly lamp materials. Manufacturers believed that moderate use of the beds produces safer results. It is still a long debate between the industry and clinical researches which claim that the over exposure on the radiations can lead to more serious skin health problems.

In summary of the discussion, the key differences between UVA and UVB tanning beds are as follows:
1. The penetrating effects of both ultraviolet rays to our skin
2. Color results of the skin based from the doses given by each type of bed
3. Damaging effects to the skin from over exposure
4. Type of ultraviolet rays produce by the machine for tanning
5. Period of time on each session

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