Some Benefits of Sunbeds
There are often stories in the news about the dangers of tanning, whether under the sun or by using sunbeds as an alternative. However, tanning has its benefits, and sunbeds can be good for the health if used carefully and if over-exposure is avoided.
Sunbeds provide many of the same benefits as tanning the 'traditional' way, that is, through exposure to the sun. Awareness has risen sharply in recent years about the dangers of sunburn, again whether this occurs from the sun itself or through artificial tanning. Whilst those who use sunbeds need to be aware of the risks - which include aging and wrinkling of the skin, there are also some benefits to consider.
Most people use sunbeds for a very simple reason: because they want to. Generally, they enjoy the feeling and appearance of tanning, and this reason is enough to want to do it. Some people do claim to feel better immediately after tanning, although it is not clear why this should be the case. Although sunbathing is enjoyed by lots of people (and therefore, if exposure to ultraviolet light is the cause of this feeling of satisfaction, the use of sunbeds should achieve the same thing), the precise mechanism remains, however unknown. Scientific studies have not demonstrated any appreciably raised levels of endorphins during or after tanning. Nevertheless, subjective well-being may be a factor, via some other biological mechanism (or even the placebo effect).
Production of vitamin D is often stated as a benefit to tanning. Vitamin D is essential for the growth of healthy bones, and the vitamin requires UV light in order to be synthesized by the body. Most people gain the UV light they need from the sun - the process does not require vast quantities of light to occur. Nevertheless, some people may have jobs where they simply do not get to spend enough time in the sun, and their health can suffer as a result. Sunbeds give you the option of getting the necessary dose of UV light at any time of day or night. However, it is worth noting that some so-called 'high pressure' sunbeds use predominantly UVA light, not UVB (a slightly different frequency). UVB is reduced in these sunbeds because it causes worse burning. However, UVB is the frequency that is required to vitamin D production, and therefore the type of sunbed should be chosen carefully if this is the reason for use.
Other health benefits of sunbeds apply to special cases. One is that of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. This tends to affect people in winter and the darker months, and is characterized by depression. The symptoms disappear in warmer and lighter weather. It may be that sunbeds offer one way of temporarily alleviating the symptoms, although only as one of a number of strategies ('daylight' lamps around the house for longer-term use also help).
Those who suffer from certain skin complaints such as psoriasis and eczema are sometimes treated with UV light therapy. These tend to require particular frequencies of light, and therefore use specially-designed lamps. However, sunbeds typically include these frequencies as part of a wider spectrum, and may therefore have some benefits in these cases.
Lastly, use of sunbeds does confer some advantages in protecting the skin from the sun. Since this is the biological purpose of a tan, gaining that tan under artificial UV is an option for those who would otherwise not get the chance for gradual exposure (perhaps due to working long hours). However, it is worth remembering that the protection offered by sunbeds in this respect is limited: it will still be necessary to use sunblock if you are suddenly going to be out in the sun a lot.
Most people use sunbeds for a very simple reason: because they want to. Generally, they enjoy the feeling and appearance of tanning, and this reason is enough to want to do it. Some people do claim to feel better immediately after tanning, although it is not clear why this should be the case. Although sunbathing is enjoyed by lots of people (and therefore, if exposure to ultraviolet light is the cause of this feeling of satisfaction, the use of sunbeds should achieve the same thing), the precise mechanism remains, however unknown. Scientific studies have not demonstrated any appreciably raised levels of endorphins during or after tanning. Nevertheless, subjective well-being may be a factor, via some other biological mechanism (or even the placebo effect).
Production of vitamin D is often stated as a benefit to tanning. Vitamin D is essential for the growth of healthy bones, and the vitamin requires UV light in order to be synthesized by the body. Most people gain the UV light they need from the sun - the process does not require vast quantities of light to occur. Nevertheless, some people may have jobs where they simply do not get to spend enough time in the sun, and their health can suffer as a result. Sunbeds give you the option of getting the necessary dose of UV light at any time of day or night. However, it is worth noting that some so-called 'high pressure' sunbeds use predominantly UVA light, not UVB (a slightly different frequency). UVB is reduced in these sunbeds because it causes worse burning. However, UVB is the frequency that is required to vitamin D production, and therefore the type of sunbed should be chosen carefully if this is the reason for use.
Other health benefits of sunbeds apply to special cases. One is that of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. This tends to affect people in winter and the darker months, and is characterized by depression. The symptoms disappear in warmer and lighter weather. It may be that sunbeds offer one way of temporarily alleviating the symptoms, although only as one of a number of strategies ('daylight' lamps around the house for longer-term use also help).
Those who suffer from certain skin complaints such as psoriasis and eczema are sometimes treated with UV light therapy. These tend to require particular frequencies of light, and therefore use specially-designed lamps. However, sunbeds typically include these frequencies as part of a wider spectrum, and may therefore have some benefits in these cases.
Lastly, use of sunbeds does confer some advantages in protecting the skin from the sun. Since this is the biological purpose of a tan, gaining that tan under artificial UV is an option for those who would otherwise not get the chance for gradual exposure (perhaps due to working long hours). However, it is worth remembering that the protection offered by sunbeds in this respect is limited: it will still be necessary to use sunblock if you are suddenly going to be out in the sun a lot.
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