Tanning machine output

[Chipp]

If the maximum dose for a tanning machine which I have been told is "4 med" by law,how can some salons say that they have machines that are stronger then others and are like taking double or tripple sessions.If 4 med the max exposure time then dosen't that say that all machines really give the same dose what ever the make or session lenght?

[Adam Cooper]

not exactly sure what you mean by 4 med, but i can defintately assure you that every bed output isnt the same. Many differant things can contribute to the output of a bed (brand of bulbs, time the bulb has been used, number of bulbs in unit) and almost every bed I meter has a differant reading, even the beds that are equivalent to one another. What exactly does 4 med mean? That could probably give a better insite on how to answer this question.Adam Cooper

[Chipp]

4 med is "4 times the minimum amount of time required to cause initial reddening of the skin" known as "erythemal" This is the max dose for tanning machines.The starting session or first session is usually shorten to 1/2 or 1 med "the minimum amount of time required to cause initial reddening of the skin the first sign of erythemal of the skin, then tanning time is increased till you hit 4 med the beds max exposure time.The maximum dose any tanning machine is allowed to deliverer for its maximum session length is 4 med. This is how maximum exposures are determined for each tanning machine, when the machine is designed.This is so that one machine will not burn or over expose you to dangerous exposures and other tanning machines will not be ineffective for their given exposure schedules.This is why some machines have 7 minimum. sessions some have 10 some have 15 some have 20 some have 30 maximum sessions exposures, its the time it takes to reach 4 med for different beds.That the design, number of lamps, wattage of lamps, uva/uva content, closeness to lamps, etc. will determine how many minutes it will take for the dose to hit 4 med. its maximum exposure time.Example a 10 min max exposure bed will provide a dose of 4 med in ten min. and a 20 min max exposure bed will take 20 before you get the dose of 4 med. You are not receiving double the tanning effect in the 20 min bed it just takes twice as long to get the same dose.Were as a 30 min max exposure tanning bed will take longer again to reach the max dose of 4 med. You are not getting 3 time the dose in a 30 min. bed as you would in a 10 min. bed.wow that was a mouth full :-)

[Fred]

Chipp,you've answered your own question, and very well I must say.To put it simply. Along with the variance of output of UVA & UVB rays (which is why the F.D.A. does not allow you to put whatever lamp you want into a particular bed), the only other differences in lamps (aside from price) is the range of the UVA & UVB spectrum that they cover, the tint color used to make them look pretty, and the type & quality (and longevity) of the chemicals used.But it still comes down to 4 MED max from any particular bed type.As far as beds are concerned, you could do it with a flat board supported on 2 saw horses, with the ballasts straped underneath. But that's not very pretty and you wouldn't have many customers tanning on it. Now you get some big, overwhelming, space age looking bed (that can't do a better job because of the limits placed by the F.D.A.) and you have people lining up to use it.I think most of the bed thing is psychological (if its big, fancy, and costs more - it must be better, and I can't wait to give you my money to use it).My own opinion is that tanning beds are severely overpriced, and their selling price has nothing to do with the cost of manufacture (but then, it is a limited market).Adam Cooper,Didn't know what 4 MED was!!! Do you own, run, or work at a tanning salon?If you answered yes to any of the above, SHAME ON YOU. You need a really good tanning training course.The 4 MED, and a lot of other rules are determined by the F.D.A., whose rules tanning salons, and bed & lamp manufacturers come under. Since you didn't know what 4 MED was, you probably don't know that either. F.D.A. stands for Food and Drug Administraion.If you have anything to do with the operation of a tanning salon I would suggest you take an immediate leave of absence and RUN to the nearest tanning training course.Fred[This message has been edited by Fred (edited 04-07-2001).]