While this gave the industry an index of lamp performance, the index was somewhat inaccurate. This was simply a method of dividing the total ultraviolet light emitted in the UVB region by the total ultraviolet light in the UVA region, and expressing the fraction as a percentage. As a direct result of these many new tanning lamp strengths, it became necessary to have a simple way to define the strength of each lamp type the UVB/UVA ratio came into popular use. These made it possible to offer lamp types and strengths to satisfy practically any customer. As years went by, many new phosphor coatings were developed for tanning lamps. In the very early days of indoor sun tanning, there was only one choice of tanning lamp strength the BL series (or blacklight type) of tanning lamp was all that was available. Due to the variety of glass transmission and the high-quality glass produced in our own glass factory, we can easily meet this European regulation. In these countries, any irradiation below 295nm is not allowed. * In some European countries like France, there are special requirements for the low wavelength UVB radiation. Tans skin by changing the color of “melanin” through oxidization (Pigmentation)įaint tanning of skin = 1 MMD (Minimal Melanogenic Dose) Reddens skin (erythema) and forms “melanin in the skin (Melanogenesis)įaint reddening of skin = 1 MED (Minimal Erythema Dose) The key is providing sufficient amounts of UVB to properly stimulate melanin, followed with effective amounts of UVA to complete the tanning process. Without some exposure to UVB rays, the tanning process cannot take place. Thus, the tanning process involves the relatively quick reddening of the skin, followed by a slower forming, but longer lasting browning of the skin. The melanin is oxidized and turned brown by the UVA rays given off by the tanning lamps. How much redness is also determined by how much UVB is coming from which wavelengths for example, UVB at 290nm produces 100 times more erythema than UVB at 320nm.* At the same time as erythema is taking place, the UVB causes melanin to form just beneath the surface of the skin. Erythema begins shortly after exposure to UVB, and varies depending upon the intensity and length of the exposure. The primary effect of UVB on the skin is called erythema, or reddening of the skin. The primary effect of UVA light on the skin is called pigmentation, or darkening of the skin. Nanometers, or nm for short, define the wavelength of the ultraviolet light one nanometer is about 1/100,000 the thickness of a human hair. As scientists studied ultraviolet light, they divided this region into three groups, UVA (320-400 nm), UVB (280-320 nm) and UVC (200-280 nm). Over a century ago it was discovered that invisible light rays in the ultraviolet region of the light spectrum caused the skin to darken.

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