A salon customer recently called Team Wolff to ask, “Can tanners compare one salon’s beds to another’s by the ‘total watts of power’ listed on the sunbed labels?”
“Total power consumption in watts” is to help salon operators determine the proper BTUs needed to properly ventilate the facility. “Total lamp wattage” is typically determined by taking the wattage of each lamp and multiplying by the number of lamps in the tanning system. For instance, if a tanning unit had (38) 160W lamps and (3) 400W high-pressure facials, the tanning lamp wattage would be 7,280W.
However, the ballast that powers the tanning system is the determining factor. Therefore, if the 160W lamp is operated with a 200W ballast, it’s now a 200W lamp and the total lamp wattage would increase. Or, if you were to put a 200W lamp on a 160W ballast, the wattage would decrease.
As explained in a previous column when we described the differences between a Level-1, Level-2 and Level-3 tanning system, many factors determine the differences between beds at each level. Using the “lamp wattage” number is not a good way to compare sunbeds or salons.
If a salon guest mentions having made such a comparison, you and your team should offer the tanner a few other factors to consider: Is the salon’s staff friendly and knowledgeable? Are the facility and the equipment clean and in good working order? Does the staff seem truly interested in helping you attain the best tan possible, or are they just “putting butts in beds?”
All tanning units, regardless of timer interval or lamp type may produce a maximum of four MED (minimal erythemal dose). A MED refers to the minimum amount of UV radiation a person can be exposed to which will induce a distinct erythema or “pinkening” of the exposed skin with 7-24 hours following exposure. Factors such as the transmissive quality of the sunbed’s acrylic shield, the distance of the lamps from the tanner, the ballasts used, bed design, electrical current/voltage, number of lamps and the distance between them, and the effectiveness of the tanning system’s reflector system all influence what the recommended exposure schedule and maximum timer interval will be.
The type of lamp installed in the bed is also important. Is the unit’s current lamp the product it was originally equipped with, or a compatible replacement lamp? If it’s not compatible, then your tanners’ sessions may result in overexposure and reddening. For your low-pressure beds, you want a lamp with just enough UVB to stimulate the melanin, lots of UVA1 for pigment darkening (tan) and less of UVA2 which causes wrinkles over time.
“Total lamp wattage” is typically determined by taking the wattage of each lamp in the tanning system and multiplying by the number of lamps.
