Despite being relatively simple, intentionally tanning your skin isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. If you decide to tan with a bed, you have the choice of a stand-up bed or a lay-down bed.
Both bed types require multiple sessions to reach a well-bronzed skin-tone, and they use the same method to tan the skin. The differences between them are in how you use the beds.
In this post we’ll explore the following differences to help you make the right decision for your tanning goals:
● Time requirements.
● Hygiene concerns.
● Comfort in small spaces.
● Skin coverage.
● If you’re seeking more than a tan …
Time Requirements
Whichever bed type you choose, you shouldn’t spend more time in it than is recommended by the manual or the consultants in your tanning salon. Too much light exposure can be damaging to and painful for your skin.
Typically, stand up beds use more intense bulbs, as well as light reflectors. This means your skin is exposed to more UVA and UVB rays in a shorter amount of time. Generally, you shouldn’t spend more than 10 minutes in a stand up tanning bed.
Sunbed tanning uses less intense light exposure. This may be safer for those without a base tan or more easily burned skin. You still shouldn’t spend more than 20 minutes in a sunbed.
Hygiene Concerns
If you use a tanning salon, the employees should keep the various beds sanitary with thorough cleanings between uses. Home beds should also be cleaned regularly. However, some users remain concerned about skin contact with the material of the bed itself.
Stand up beds allow you to stand in the middle of the enclosure without ever touching the walls. This greatly reduces the potential for oils, bacteria and other residue to be on the bed itself. Those with highly sensitive skin may prefer this minimal contact.
Of course, you have to lay down in a sunbed, so be certain it is well cleaned before each use.
Comfort in Small Spaces
A sunbed requires you to stay in one position for up to 20 minutes with a cover lowered to right above you. Those who aren’t comfortable in small spaces, or who need to move around often, may find themselves uneasy or even distressed in a sunbed.
Stand up tanning beds give you a little more space to move around. If you are at all prone to claustrophobia, opt for shorter sessions in stand up beds.
Skin Coverage
Even though a sunbed offers light underneath and above the user, the small space can make it difficult for light to evenly reach every inch of skin.
Because you lay in a sunbed, you create pressure points on the back of your body, and these spots won’t absorb light as well as others. You may also block light from parts of your arms and sides.
Stand up beds, on the other hand, allow you to raise and lower your arms, move your head and turn your body. If you’ve had trouble with coverage in sunbeds, give a stand up tanning bed a try.
Seeking More than a Tan?
For some users, tanning is not just about tanning their skin. The light rays are often recommended as mood boosters, especially to combat depression or low moods during darker seasons of the year.
If you use tanning beds therapeutically, consider which positions will most contribute to the experience. Laying down can offer a restful or even meditative session (just don’t fall asleep). On the other hand, standing allows you to move around or dance, which may also be beneficial.
Tanning beds come in a range of sizes and styles, and what’s right for you might not work for another user. If you’re going to invest in one for your home or business, ensure it’s the type that will best meet your needs.
