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FAQ

We shed light on all questions about tanning: How does the skin create a tan? What is the sun hormone vitamin D all about? What does the UVB percentage mean? Here we have summarized all our specialist knowledge on the topics of UV, radiation, effects, biology, technology and tips for more safety for you. Of course, we would be happy to advise you personally at any time. Just give us a call or use our contact form.

Products

  • The lamp essentially determines the amount of emitted spectrum, as well as the generated irradiance.
  • It is thus responsible for the mediated effects.
  • After all, the lamp is the core element in a tanning salon’s entire business.

  • Low pressure lamps already produce a targeted spectrum, i.e. additional radiation filtering is not required, which is why they have a better energy balance.
  • High pressure lamps produce a spectrum that must be filtered because both short-wave UVC and UVB as well as visible and infrared radiation is emitted.
  • Due to the required filtering, the energy balance at high pressure is significantly worse compared to the low pressure lamp.
  • Unlike low pressure lamps, high pressure lamps can be used to generate high irradiance levels on small areas.

  • In colloquial speech, often not quite correct terms are used.
  • The light bulb is often referred to as a “pear” because it is pear-shaped.
  • Fluorescent lamps are tubular and are therefore often mistakenly called tubes.
  • In the past, fluorescent lamps for general lighting were also called “neon tubes”, which is technically completely wrong because they do not contain any neon.

  • Only high load lamps (140, 160, 180 and 225W) can be distinguished between two electrode designs.
  • The short electrode (short mount) describes and represents the standard technology. Here, maintaining the optimum operating temperature by correctly designed cooling is particularly important during operation in order to ensure the desired irradiance.
  • The long electrode has an integrated cooling zone at both ends, which means that the operating temperature has far less influence on the level of irradiance achieved.
  • Generally, long mount lamps have a higher operating performance and thus a higher irradiance. In the Cosmedico range of lamps these can be recognized by the addition VHR.

  • In Europe, solariums may not exceed an erythemal irradiance of 0.3 W/m².
  • If you already have a solarium that complies with the maximum erythemal irradiance limit, you can choose any equivalent lamp as a replacement (see also question: what is equivalence?). (vgl. auch Frage: Was ist Äquivalenz?)
  • Unless you are certain that your solarium will not exceed the maximum level, you should consult with a specialist to ensure compliance with effective irradiance. The Cosmedico staff will be pleased to advise you. Die Cosmedico-Mitarbeiter beraten Sie gerne (Link)
  • In addition to compliance with legal regulations, of course, the effect of the lamp plays a role in the selection. Lamps with a high UVA output have a faster instant tanning effect than those with a lower value. Lampen mit einem hohen UVA haben eine schnellere Sofortbräunung als solche mit niedrigerem Wert
  • The datasheets of the Cosmedico lamps usually provide all essential technical and radiation-physical information as well as the lamp specification.

  • Strictly spoken, equivalence means equality.
    • In the case of UV fluorescent lamps, exchangeability for replacement lamps is regulated by equivalence.
    • A replacement lamp is equivalent to the original lamp if it has the same lamp wattage, optical characteristics (reflector type) and comparable UV code.
    • The permitted tolerance for the UV code is up to -25% in the X value and ± 15% in the Y value. (*)
      (See also question: what does the UV code mean?)

    (*) From the next edition of the relevant standard EN 60335-2-27, the permissible tolerance for the Y value will be ± 25%

    • A lamp can also be explained equivalent via measurement – regardless of the UV code.

  • The ratio of the proportion of UVB radiation to UVA radiation, i.e. the quotient of the irradiances in the UVB and in the UVA.
  • Example 1: a lamp produces 20 W/m² UVA and 0.18 W/m²UVB:
    Calculation: 0.18: 20 = 0.009. This corresponds to 0.9%.
  • The UVB percentage says nothing about the effectiveness of a lamp because it is calculated from the UVA. The significance of the UVB percentage is clearly overestimated as an indicator of the lamp quality.
  • Example 2: a lamp produces 22 W/m² UVA and 0.20 W/m² UVB:
    Calculation: 0.20: 22 = 0.009. This corresponds to 0.9%.
  • Although lamp 2 has an 11% higher actual UVB, the percentage is the same for both lamps. That’s why you cannot rate a lamp from its UVB percentage.

  • By observing the optimal thermal conditions during lamp operation. These include, for example, regular changing of the filter mats in the sunbed and maintenance of the exhaust system.

  • For exact measurement of UV irradiance, a spectro-radiometer with double monochromator is needed. Here, the generated radiation is “decomposed” and the irradiance is determined per nanometer.
  • There are also so-called UV broadband radiometers, which have a certain (measurement-) sensitivity over the entire UV range. In this case, however, the measurement inaccuracy and uncertainty is much bigger,
  • therefore such measurements usually only have orientation character.

  • By adding special additives to the glass melt, the filter edge of the glass can be shifted to higher wavelengths, i.e. the transmission (permeability) for UVB radiation in particular is reduced.
  • This is when we speak of “closed” glass. Whereas with “open” glass the filter edge is more in the short-wave range and a higher proportion of UVB radiation is transmitted.
  • In any case, the amount of UVB radiation is always limited.

  • DIRECTIVE 2011/65/EU, of the European Parliament of 8 June 2011, regulates the restriction on the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
  • Also called RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances).
  • Among other things, the use of mercury is banned or regulated in the RoHS.
  • For fluorescent lamps, the use is regulated as permissible and limited, as these lamps cannot work without mercury. da diese Lampen ohne Quecksilber nicht funktionieren.
  • Compliance with the directive is indicated by the CE mark.

  • Due to the hazardous ingredients, primarily mercury, the lamps must be recycled and must not be disposed of with household waste.

  • The lamp contains toxic mercury. Extreme caution is required in the event of breakage.
  • Ventilate the room immediately and ideally use a respirator for cleaning.
  • Carefully sweep up all small parts and, if necessary, pick up any remains with adhesive tape.
  • Dispose of all splinters and residues in a closable container.
  • The use of a vacuum cleaner is not recommended as, with each use, it would distribute the mercury over the exhaust air in the room.

  • Identical lamps installed in different device types show clear differences in the irradiance. There are various reasons for that: the number and arrangement of the lamps, the properties of the acrylic glass and reflectors as well as the operating conditions.
  • Therefore, it is impossible to say with any certainty of any lamp type that the maximum permissible erythema irradiance of 0.3 W/m² is maintained in any solarium.
  • Only a rough estimate based on the specified UV code in the equivalence key is possible, according to which lamps with an X value <30 often remain below 0.3 W/m² in the solarium. <
  • However, this is by no means a guarantee, since lamps with X = 25 may well exceed the permitted maximum, while those with X = 35 just keep it in individual cases.
  • When operating the lamp with dimmable electronic ballasts, it is hardly possible to make any estimates with regard to compliance with the maximum value of the erythema effective irradiance based on the X value.
  • Unfortunately, general statements are not possible. Instead, the lamp selection should be done together with a specialist.
  • The Cosmedico staff will be happy to advise you.

  • Production error of the lamp, which may have lost its vacuum.
  • The starter is too old or defective and will no longer perform the ignition properly, or even damage the lamp.
  • The mains voltage in the device is too low which can, in unfavorable constellations, result in a constant re-ignition of the starter.
  • A tip: If the lamp does not light up, insert it elsewhere in the device.
  • Old starters can cause the lamp to flicker when ignited, which causes the lamp to age prematurely.
  • Lamps and their resources have manufacturing tolerances that can behave to each other in an unfavorable way which can make the lamp incapable to ignite. It is unlikely that there will be a similar constellation elsewhere in the solarium.

  • The starter closes a circuit for a defined duration to preheat the electrodes of the lamps. After that the starter interrupts the preheating and triggers the ignition.
  • Also the starter is aging! With the number of switching cycles the danger increases that the starter no longer opens and closes properly. In such cases, overloading of the electrodes and premature lamp failure are inevitable. Therefore, not only replace the lamps, but also exchange the starter regularly.

  • High-pressure lamps emit a very broad spectrum, ranging from short-wave UVC to the long-wave infrared range.
  • For tanning purposes, however, only the UVA radiation and a smaller proportion of UVB radiation are needed, which is why the unnecessary radiation areas must be necessarily filtered out.
  • Without a suitable filter, severe skin burns and irreparable eye damage would occur within seconds as a result of high UVC radiation.
  • Solariums are all equipped with a protection, so that operation without filter is not possible.

  • With increasing operating hours, the fluorescent material (also called phosphor) loses intensity. The glass also decreases in transparency with the operating hours.
  • This results in a lower irradiance and thus a lower efficiency.
  • The sole storage of lamps, however, leads to no impairment of the lamp quality. Even with years of (proper) storage, the output power remains unchanged.

  • The UV code is correctly called the equivalence key and conforms to the standard DIN EN 61228 for tanning lamps.
  • Accordingly, all tanning lamps need to be marked with the measured values of certain radiation components (for example, 160-R-31/2.0).
  • Since this is a measurement and safety standard, only safety-relevant radiation components are contained in the UV code.
  • The UV code thus has no significance for the actual tanning quality of a lamp or a device.

Zum Beispiel: Je höher der X-Wert, desto intensiver die pigmentbildende Wirkung, während Y-Werte < 2 auf eine ausgeprägte Sofortbräunungswirkung hinweisen.

  • On tanning beds from the year 2012 on, a sticker must be affixed that identifies the permissible UV code range (equivalent key area) when the lamp is replaced.

  • With increasing operating hours, the UV output of the lamps decreases.
  • Thus, the usable effect decreases.
  • Although there is no risk of old lamps, however, the lamps should be exchanged after reaching the recommended service life in the interests of the customer.

  • Basically, this is conceivable, but not recommended.
  • New lamps are significantly more intense than long-aged lamps and thus would create an imbalance between the effects of these different lamps in the device. Uneven tan or even streaking can be the result.

  • The correct function of fluorescent lamps depends on optimal cooling.
  • With unequal temperature conditions in the device, the lamps are different in color.
  • Too cold lamps are usually bluish, while too hot lamps appear yellowish.
  • Properly tempered, the lamps are uniformly bright white over the entire length.
  • Temperature differences can be caused by the device, or by dirty filter mats, or bad exhaust air in the studio, or room/outside temperature conditions, etc.
  • Only properly tempered lamps have the optimum UV performance.

  • Usually, black ends are caused by deposits of mercury and electrode material.
  • With each ignition process, some of the electrode material vaporizes and increasingly condenses as a gray ring around the electrode on the inside of the glass bulb.
  • Graying or slight blackening in the electrode area of ​​aged lamps are therefore due to technical reasons and are unavoidable.
  • When used properly, slight graying to slight blackening is visible only at the end of the service life.
  • In spaghetti lamps, for reasons of space, the electrode cannot be provided with the usual protective ring, which is why graying can occur earlier.
  • If graying occurs earlier than usual, technical conditions are the cause. The starters, ballasts, cooling, operating voltage and the lamps themselves have an influence.
  • To determine the causes of earlier graying various parameters need to be analyzed: the lamp with starter, the device type, the type of ballast and, ideally, the voltage conditions in the tanning salon.

Tanning

  • “Light is life”. This famous saying has a lot of scientific background.
  • Without light, we could not exist in the long run and would get many physical or mental infirmities and diseases.
  • Our body demands UV light. Therefore you can see people walking out the door and enjoying the sun at the first ray of sunshine.
  • Many biopositive effects are produced by UV light, which is vital to us.
  • Examples include vitamin D formation, sun protection through tanning, circulatory stabilization, stimulation of the immune system, increase in performance, treatment of skin diseases, alleviation of depression.

  • Overall, the solar spectrum that hits the Earth’s surface spans the wavelength range from about 290nm to 3000nm and contains the following components:
    • Infrared radiation that the body transforms into heat
    • Visible light
    • UV radiation (long-wave UVA and short-wave UVB)
    • In different compositions, depending on latitude and year/time

  • Scientifically, UV radiation is called “electromagnetic radiation”.
  • Physically, there is only one form of electromagnetic radiation. The natural one. Therefore, there is no artificial electromagnetic radiation.
  • Of course, you can artificially generate this radiation, but then the product is a natural one.
  • UV light consists of UVA (wavelength range 320nm-400nm), UVB (280-320nm) and UVC (200-280nm).
  • Sunlight and sunbeds provide only UVA and UVB radiation.

  • UVA:

◦ Sun tan (darkening of the pigments)

◦ Skin aging at high dosage

◦ phototherapeutic effects (e.g. relief or cure skin diseases)

  • UVB:

◦ Formation of new pigments

◦ Formation of provitamin D3

◦ Sunburn at high dosage

◦ Formation of light callosity

◦ Strengthening the cardiovascular system

◦ Therapy of skin diseases

  • UVC:

◦ Not included in our atmosphere and not in the solarium

◦ Very high energy and dangerous radiation

◦ For example used for disinfection and sterilisation

  • The VD3 is needed for muscle building and bone formation. It contributes to the functioning of the cardiovascular system, is necessary for the lung to oxygenate, in cell division and plays a crucial role in our immune system.
  • The so-called sun hormone VD3 is produced as provitamin via the tanning in the skin and then converted into the VD3 in the liver and the kidney.
  • Even short and regular tanning times can bring the VD3 level up to the required level.
  • And the best thing is: in contrast to a supply of vitamin tablets, the natural production cannot be overdosed.

  • This is highly dependent on the skin type and the intensity of the radiation.
  • On average, a 10-minute tanning session is sufficient 2-3 times per week.

  • When tanning, a dosage appropriate to the skin type must be taken into account in order to avoid skin damage.
  • Dosage appropriate to skin type does not prevent tanning, but rather ensures skin-friendly tanning without sunburn.
  • UV radiation, regardless of skin type, can cause sunburn, which can lead to skin damage in the long term.
  • Before tanning, carry out a skin type determination via specialist staff in the salon or use online questionnaires and follow the recommendations (see examples below – use and online translator or contact us in case of queries)

Skin types overview:
https://www.bundesfachverband-besonnung.de/index.php?eID=tx_securedownloads&p=5&u=0&g=0&t=1706181105&hash=aaae28dca04a440f9269b6d82cc3972ec2dc78da&file=/fileadmin/bilder/Studiobetreiber/UVSV/Hilfen/UVSV_Hauttypenposter_web.pdf

Questionnaire to determine skin type:
https://www.bundesfachverband-besonnung.de/index.php?eID=tx_securedownloads&p=5&u=0&g=0&t=1706181105&hash=de55952285678689512c35d6e344f05d5841d0c8&file=/fileadmin/bilder/Studiobetreiber/UVSV/Hilfen/UVSV_Fragebogen_Hauttypbestimmung_web.pdf

  • Generally this is not recommended.
  • Due to the high heat output of the sun and solarium, the film of water under the contact lenses can dry out and thus cause discomfort.
  • Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection, be sure to close your eyes when tanning.

  • There are obviously two groups of dermatologists here.
  • Some advise against, while others successfully treat skin diseases with UV light.
  • Dermatologists mostly only consider the skin and not the entire body.
  • Since the body can only work with UV light, the negative attitude is incomprehensible and unnatural.

  • Many skin diseases are treated by dermatologists using UV light.
  • This is understandable, since the skin regenerates faster with tanning and thus can replace the irritated or disordered skin.
  • So tanning can also help with acne. However, this must be judged by a doctor.

  • Dermatologists often treat skin diseases with special UV radiation devices.
  • In this case, tanning in the sun, or on a sunbed can have a therapeutic effect.
  • But there are also diseases with which UV radiation can be harmful.
  • An indication must always be given by a doctor.

  • In general, tanning in the solarium is very helpful against SAD.
  • Bright light is not only perceived through the eyes, but in particular by receptors in the forehead.
  • This suppresses the hormone melatonin and makes people more euphoric and happy.
  • Whether or not and to what extent further measures are required must always be decided by a doctor.

  • UV radiation not only regenerates cells
  • It also destroys the substructure of the skin at high doses, i.e. elastin and collagen fibers.
  • As a result, the skin is no longer supported and “breaks in”. Wrinkles arise.
  • This can be counteracted by the application of special lamps with red light in special solariums.

  • The UV light is certainly not harmful in pregnancies.
  • However, the heat radiation may be uncomfortable during pregnancy.
  • Also, the high heat development can harm the unborn life.
  • Please ask your doctor about this.

  • Yes, if you care for a well-hydrated skin.
  • This can be achieved by skin care products and by drinking enough water.
  • Distance is to be taken from double tanning in the solarium and in the sun.

  • As soon as the doctor discourages you.
  • If you are skin type 1.
  • If you are taking photosensitizing medications (such as antibiotics).
  • If you have unexplained skin diseases.
  • If you are under 18 and want to tan in commercial tanning beds.

  • UV light can cloud the lenses and damage the retina.
  • The eyelids cannot stop all radiation when being closed.
  • Frequent eye irradiation can cause irreparable damage.

  • Whether you want to take a shower before or after a tanning session depends on your personal well-being and your hygiene.
  • It has no influence at all on the tanning effect.
  • Cosmetics and body lotion can easily be removed by showering.
  • Many like to remove the so-called tanning smell by a shower after the tanning session.
  • The skin layers in which the tanning happens are not affected by a shower, as the tanning is not a color application on the skin, but happens within the skin layers.

  • UV radiation stimulates the production of pigment (melanin) in the cells of the epidermis.
  • These are small, pink platelets in the skin.
  • During the next tanning session the pigment is then darkened.
  • The level of the skin tan regulates how much UV is filtered and how much is transmitted.
  • This is how the body protects itself from overdosing and at the same time ensures better UV absorption through the skin during the winter months.