mshallie

Please, explain to me what these do and how to recognize them. I want to put at least one in my salon, suggestions?

Don Smith

mshallie:

Good question!

A so-called "high pressure" (HP) tanning system utilizes mercury vapor sunlamps that have been filled under high pressure; thus the name. These systems require special "filters" to remove unwanted wavelengths and they will also have a clear "safety" glass in the cassette to protect the tanner in case the sunlamp breaks. In addition, keep in mind that HP systems operate at much higher "wattage" than do most LP systems. This will be important to know later in this discussion.

[Added Later: Keep in mind that we have (1) HP "systems" that feature HP sunlamps throughout the entire canopy, (2) HP systems that have HP sunlamps both in the canopy and bench, (3) "Hybrid" systems that have HP sunlamps in the canopy and LP (tube type) sunlamps in the bench, and, (4) sunbeds that utilize HP sunlamps to enhance tanning in the facial area. Thus, a sunbed may have HP "facials" but not be considered a HP "system".]

So-called "low pressure" (LP) sunlamps are the 5 - 6 foot long "tube type" or "fluorescent" units that are found in most sunbeds. Technically, all "tube type" sunlamps are low pressure, no matter whether they are 80w, 100w, 160w, or 180w. However,
some manufacturers describe their 140w, 160w or 180w sunlamps as "medium" pressure but this is a "marketing" definition and not a "scientific" description.

The "traditional" HP systems have 0.4 to 0.5 percent UVB as compared to 4 - 5% in a "typical" LP sunlamp. Since the UVB wavelengths (280 - 320 nm) are the ones PRIMARILY associated with sunburning, this means that HP systems greatly reduce the probablilty of sunburning. Keep in mind that there are now "neo-HP" systems that have 1.5 - 2.0% UVB and these systems are not as "forgiving" regarding sunburning as are the traditional HP systems.

What this means is that HP systems have more "photons" (packets of energy) in the UVA wavelength (320 - 400 nm) and when these photons "hit" and "oxidize" a melanin granule, the "result" is a "cosmetic" and "photoprotective" tan.

[Added Later: I ran across a 1980 paper (written when dermatologists were still doing exciting research on tanning!) that described the almost "infinite" number of melanin granules (called melanosomes) as "melanin dust" and I use that terminology a lot because clients can understand it easily. Thus, what is happening is that UVR photons (packets of energy) are striking "melanin dust" in the skin and creating cosmetic and photoprotective facultative pigmentation (better known as a "tan").

The questions I think you are asking are (1) Do HP systems tan better than LP systems, and/or (2) is the cost of an "upgrade" to a HP system worth it.

The answer to question 1 is - it all depends upon the client. Some people seem to tan better in HP systems and some seem to do better in LP systems because of the higher UVB percentage. The great majority of the people who like the HP modality state that their tan is deeper, darker and longer lasting. [Note: HP systems also "feel" more like sunlight!]

[Added Later: There is a scientific reason why a HP tan is "deeper and darker" than a LP tan. The reason is that the longer UVA wavelengths "penetrate more deeply into the skin and "strike" (and oxidize) "melanin dust" migrating downward as well as the "melanin dust" migrating upward. Thus, oxidizing the "melanin dust" migrating downward means that since it will take them longer to go downward and then "migrate" upward to the surface of the skin, the "tan" will appear to be "deeper" and last "longer".]

The answer to question 2 is - YES! The combination of more UVA (tanning) wavelengths and higher wattage result in more photons (packets of energy) and more photons means that there is a "higher probablity" of a photon striking a melanin granule. Think of it this way, a 160 watt system has 2 - 3 times the number of photons than does a 100 watt (non-reflector) system and a HP system has 2 - 3 times as many photons as does a 160 watt high intensity system (4 - 6 times more than a 100 watt system). The higher the number of photons, the greater the probability of a photon striking a melanin granule which means that the cost of the upgrade is worth every penny you spend if your goal is to get a deep, dark and longer lasting tan.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Don


[ This Message was edited by: Don Smith on 2002-04-20 07:01 ]

Soakinuptherays

That is the best explaination of High pressure vs low pressure I have ever seen.

That even clear to me a guy who does nothing but focus on indoor tanning products.

mshallie

Wow, that is exactly what I wanted to hear, I could not have had it explained to me any better that that, Don, you are great and thank you for you extreme knowledge. Out of a 9 beds I think I will put 2 in my salon, do you feel that will be just about right?

Tamar

Two HP beds would cost a lot of $$ to start with. Are you sure your market could carry it? Why not start with one and see how it does first? Save room for the other later.

Mori

And if a photon can cause change perhaps it can cause damage and the combination of increased photons will strengthen this damaging effect. Also, how much protection is gained from using HP prior to a vacation as opposed to LP. What about your thoughts on LP that emits only about 1.5-2% UVB. What about the effects of the increased amount of UVA2 coming from HP. And last but not finally, how much Vitamin D does the HP cause the body to produce compared to LP ???

Just a few questions to keep things lively.

BooBop

Just a note to Mori.... You are a lively one and keeping it going...

solarmeter

Mori there you go again! We didn't beat this to death enough on the other site? ^_^

I'm gonna stay out of your "damage" discussions, mass of HP photons, E = mC^2, etc. But you do bring up interesting subjects of photoprotection before a vacation and vitamin D. Both probably require more UVB than "old" HP has.

Steve