Sun beds give off mostly UVA while some add a little UVB

Ultraviolet is part of the spectrum of radiation emitted by the sun. It is divided into different wavelengths and are called UVA, UVB and UVC.

UVC This is the shortest wavelength and is blocked by ozone and oxygen. It is the most dangerous for our skin and also can damage plant life as well as plankton in the sea.

UVB It increases in quantity in the summer months. It causes burning of the skin and is associated strongly with the common skin cancers. It is much less effective in tanning the skin.

UVA This is the longest of the UV wavelengths and is able to penetrate more deeply into the skin. It produces tanning and burning is less of a problem at low doses. Naturally occurring UVA remains at a fairly constant level throughout the year. UVA is thought to be important in developing Melanoma It is the wavelength used in tanning studios. The dose of UVA used in sun beds is considerably higher that that found in sunlightDoes a sun bed tan protect us before going on a sunny vacation?

The sunbed tan does protect us to a certain degree but it does not help as much as a naturally produced tan.

The tan is different and the artificial tan only protects us about 1/5 to 1/10 of the from sunlight. The reason for this is that UVA activates only the pigment cells called melanocytes to use and produce the pigment melanin.

Since the natural sun has a significant amount of UVB it will cause the surface of the skin called the epidermis to thicken which gives us added sun protection.