Team Wolff often hears this question from salon operators: I finally decided to start using a UV meter to monitor my beds and lamps. The problem is, the lamps have been operating for almost 100 hours – what should my UV readings be?
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The handheld UVB/UVA meters are an excellent tool for your purpose. This type of meter gives you an indication of total UV output, and while not as accurate as expensive precision testing gear, does allow you to track decline in UV output over time in a narrow fashion.
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The meters are not accurate enough to compare different tanning systems with each other, or different lamps with each other. This is due to the spectral character of the tested product in relation to the sensitivity of the meter at specific wavelengths. Also, when you try to compare one set of bed/lamp data with another, you are actually looking at results from many variables other than lamps, such as bed geometry, lamp density, distance from lamps to tanner, acrylic solarization, etc.
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This busy season, equip your toolkit with a UV meter and keep your salon guests happily bronzed!
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Ideally, you should test after re-lamping the unit. Warm the bed and lamps for 15 minutes, and always do the test at the same time of day, so that variables such as heat build-up are as close to the same conditions from test to test. You should consider doing all testing after the first 15 minutes of each test day. Record your “0” hour readings. Test again every 100 hours and compare to the ‘”0” hour readings. When output declines by 25-30%, replace your lamps – do not rely upon the lamp manufacturer’s life expectancy claims. The goal is to keep your tanners happy!
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To answer the above question as to what to do when your lamps have run for 100 hours, we suggest you use this as your “0” hour reading. As a sunlamp’s output typically declines faster during the first 100 hours than at any other time in its useful life, plan to re-lamp this time when you detect a decline of 15%.
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Over time, UV exposure will cause acrylic shields to degrade. The acrylic’s ability to allow UVB to pass through it diminishes more rapidly than passing UVA. Most shields transmit 94-96% of the UV when new, but as they age (2,000-5,000 hours), their effectiveness will decrease, with emphasis on reduced UVB output. This process is known as solarization. To measure the degradation of acrylic shields, a UVB meter is better than one made to read UVB/UVA. Measure without the acrylic in place and then, with the acrylic installed. If there is a huge difference, it’s time for a new acrylic. Because sunlamps emit predominantly UVA, and acrylic solarization most significantly affects transmission of UVB, the UVB/UVA meter will not give you accurate enough data to protect your business from “no tan” complaints due to acrylic solarization.
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This busy season, equip your toolkit with a UV meter and keep your salon guests happily bronzed!
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