sunbeds

[Vitrano]

are sunbeds meant to turn you brown or do they have the same effect as the sun, make you go red & burn you if you have light skin?

[Tat]

they are basically the same as sunlight but just give out UVA rays and no UVB rays which arfe more damaging. but stronger than the sun which is why you don't go on for more than about 12 mins max depending on the type of bed (lie down ones aren't as strong and are less hygenic - stand up beds are much better) and how new it is, strength and number of tubes. if you are very pale and always burn in the sun then you really shouldn't go on them as you will just burn. if you go to a good tanning salon (make sure they are a member of the sunbed association) they should tell you if you should go on or not. but as i said before if you don't tan in the sun you WILL NOT tan with sunbeds as it's basically the same thing. i work in a tanning salon and i won't let people go on if they are going to burn and suggest a spray tan instead. lots of tanning salons offer them now and they are totally safe. it's just fake tan applied by means of an airbrush, either in an automated booth thingy or by a person. if you do go on a UV bed you should start out on the least time possible and build it up slowly, even though the guidelines say leave at least 24 hours between sessions i always say leave at least 48 hours so your skin can recover fully. and buy a cream when they offer it to you as it does make you tan better and faster and is much better for your skin. hope this helps!

[Vitrano]

thanx, fink i'll leave it to the sun to get a tan.

[Gef]

"and buy a cream when they offer it to you as it does make you tan better and faster and is much better for your skin". What a load of nonsense - pure salesman talk. U/V is bad for you. Tanning is your body's defence against U/V. Best to avoid it - even black people can get skin cancer.

[Tat]

it's NOT a load of balls! it is better for your skin!

[archbishop]

Tat - Have I missed something here?

[Tat]

cream is better for your skin. obviously sunbeds aren't!