In fact there are two processes which produce tanning, and
they are simultaneously effective:
- "Indirect tanning". Primarily UV-B stimulates the
production of a substance called "melanin", which is
necessary for tanning. The effect does not show until a
couple of days after the sunbath.
- "Direct tanning". The UV-A and also a part of the visible
light cause quicker browning without reddening or "getting
sunburnt".
The solarium
This solarium emits predominantly UV-A, and also a very small
amount of UV-B.
It possesses some important features which make tanning at
home comfortable and convenient.
The unique type of sun lamp used in this solarium emits
light, warmth and ultraviolet, just like the natural sun.
You can position this solarium so that using it really resembles
lying in the sun: your whole body is tanned evenly, from head
to toe.
For your convenience, but also to prevent unintended
prolonged exposure (e.g. after falling asleep), timer-controlled
automatic switch-off after 30 minutes tanning is incorporated.
As it is with the natural sun, it's wise not to have too much of
the good thing! (See section "UV and your health".)
UV and your health
After an excessive exposure to ultraviolet (from the natural sun
or from your solarium), the skin may develop sunburn.
Beside numerous other factors, such as excessive exposure to
the natural sun, improper and excessive use of your solarium
will increase the risk of skin and eye disease.
The nature, intensity and duration of the radiation on one hand,
and the sensitivity of the individual on the other, are decisive
on the degree in which these affects can occur.
The more skin and eyes are exposed to UV, the more risk
increases of diseases such as inflammation of the cornea
and/or conjunctiva, damaging of the retina, cataract, premature
aging of the skin and skin tumours.
Certain medicines and cosmetics increase the sensitivity to
UV.
Therefore, it is of great importance
- that you follow the instructions in sections "Important" and
"UV sessions: how often? And how long?";
- that you select the advised operational distance of 70 cm
(approx. 27.5");
- that you do not exceed the maximum amount of tanning
hours per year (i.e. 21 hours or 1260 minutes);
- that you always wear the provided goggles while tanning.
5
UV sessions: how often? And how long?
Take one tanning session a day for 5 to 10 days. Wait at
least 48 hours after the first session before taking the second
session.
After this 5 to 10-day course you can take a break from
tanning.
One month after the tanning course, your skin will have lost
most of its tan again. You can then start a new tanning course.
If you want to retain your tan, do not stop tanning after the
course but continue taking one or two tanning sessions a
week.
Regardless of the tanning method you choose, always make
sure you do not exceed the maximum number of
tanning hours, which is 21 hours (= 1260 minutes) a year
for this solarium.
Example:
Suppose you are taking a 10-day course, consisting of an
8-minute tanning session on the first day and 20-minute
tanning sessions the subsequent nine days.
The total course will last (1 x 8 minutes) + (9 x 20 minutes) =
188 minutes.
You could take 6 of these courses a year
(because 6 x 188 minutes = 1128 minutes).
Of course the maximum number of tanning hours applies to
each part or side of the body that is tanned separately (e.g. the
back and front side of the body).
As is shown in the table, the first session of a tanning
course always lasts 8 minutes, irrespective of the sensitivity
of the skin.
• If you feel the tanning session is too long for you (e.g.
because your skin starts to feel taut), shorten every
session by, for instance, 5 minutes.
Duration of the session 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th
in minutes
(for each separately session session session session session session session session session session
treated part of the body)
- for persons with
very sensitive skin: 8 101010101010101010
- for persons with
normal sensitive skin: 8 20-25 20-25 20-25 20-25 20-25 20-25 20-25 20-25 20-25
-for persons with
less sensitive skin: 8 30*) 30*) 30*) 30*) 30*) 30*) 30*) 30*) 30*)
rest of min. 48 hours
*) or longer, dependent upon skin sensitivity.
• To get a beautiful all-over tan it is suggested that
you turn slightly during the session so that the sides
of your body are better exposed to the tanning
rays.
