What is UVB%? - tanTALK

JOHN @ URI · 01-28-2003, 01:22 PM

Why do some lamp companies choose to rate lamps by UVB percentage?

Is it really a good measure on how strong or how effective a lamp will tan?

Consider this.
Lamp A has 1.5w UVB & a total UV output of 20
Lamp B has 1.5w UVB & a total UV output of 25
Lamp C has 1.5w UVB & a total UV output of 30

Looking at these three lamps:
They all have the same amount of UVB however,
Lamp A = 7.5% UVB
Lamp B = 6% UVB
Lamp C = 5% UVB

Which is the best lamp?
Which would you buy?

(info from Cosmedico)

CHUNN · 01-28-2003, 01:43 PM

Really good question! This is how lamp manufacturers have marketed to salon owners and probably still do.

These lamps are 6% lamps. These are better they are 9%.

After a few years in the industry you begin to question what this means and you learn that the percentage of UVB without the total output means nothing!

I didn't answer the question but you reminded me of the game that is played with salon owners.

lampman · 01-28-2003, 04:24 PM

It is true that UVB amount is relative to the total output of the lamp.It is also true that UVB% is not a way to judge a lamps performance.For example the Cosmedico Hi Tan has around 4.7% uvb,does that mean that the lamp has a longer TE time than a 5.0% NO.
The only true way to judge a lamp is by the actual scan of the lamp and the calculated times.This information will tell you the compatability and max tan times but not how the lamp tans.Some lamps have more total output but less UVB,generally they will brown better than a high uvb lamp.

BooBop · 01-28-2003, 06:15 PM

Less UVB is more bronzing, right??? Med and te times is the real answer no matter what the lamp B% is correct... Or am I failing here?

great topic btw.

solarmeter · 01-28-2003, 08:46 PM

No... more UVA is more bronzing.

UVB, MED & Te are all related to reddening (erythemal) output. But lots of UVA needs SOME UVB to stimulate melanin.

It is a combination of all these values that tells the story.

CHUNN · 01-28-2003, 08:58 PM

The part of the UVA spectrum closest to UVB can also provide melanogenesis.

_________________
Wan Dang O is much faster....[ This Message was edited by: chunn on 2003-01-28 21:28 ]

Frankie · 01-28-2003, 09:12 PM

Mitzi? Duh!!

We do it this way...These are the beds that we call our stimulating beds (have more UVB) which is the redding lamp. Now these beds are our browning beds (which have UVA less UVB) you will not see the instant results with these but if you will alternate between these and use our high performance beds in between you will have a great tan.

Of course you need to use a good lotion while tanning and a moisturizer afterwards to keep your skin moist. While in the shower use xxxx for your body wash and oh our xxx body scrub keeps your tan looking better.

Oh and you must try out our Mystic Tan your next visit. Wheeeeeeeeee that was a lot to say.

BooBop · 01-28-2003, 09:23 PM

OOPS That was a typo Steve....

You got it goin on Frankie.

Dang, I re-read this and I said LESS UVB IS MORE BRONZING STEVE. Would you quit confusing me!

_________________
Mitzi

Getting Ready to Rock in 2003[ This Message was edited by: Mitzi on 2003-01-29 09:18 ]

electricparadise · 01-29-2003, 07:39 AM

so you are saying /to get your tanners the darkest you should have some beds w/high uvb & some w/high uva & then rotate them? So how can we look at the specs. of bulbs to figure this out (tell me like I am 7yrs. old okay?)

solarmeter · 01-29-2003, 09:20 AM

Some salons do that, especially between LP and HP systems. But a better way, IMO, is to maintain a BALANCED level of UVB & UVA that is similar to morning or afternoon beach sun..... around 4% UVB.

I think that 8-9% B "frybabie" beds and "almost pure UVA" HP beds are a waste of time and money. The best modern systems seem to have 3-5% B (LP) and 1-2% B (HP). That results in similar AMOUNTS of B in both cases, with HP of course providing much more A.

Most lamp specs focus on percent B with no mention of total UV or amounts of B and A. You need to specifically ASK for that, and most good companies will then tell you. Bear in mind that mW/cm² values from a single lamp test are only about 1/3 of what a full array in the bed will put out, but PERCENTS will be the same.

Bottom line is don't confuse percent with amount (quantity).

01-28-2003, 01:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
JOHN @ URI Lamp Geek Join Date: Dec 21 2001 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,913 Rep Power: 23	Why do some lamp companies choose to rate lamps by UVB percentage? Is it really a good measure on how strong or how effective a lamp will tan? Consider this. Lamp A has 1.5w UVB & a total UV output of 20 Lamp B has 1.5w UVB & a total UV output of 25 Lamp C has 1.5w UVB & a total UV output of 30 Looking at these three lamps: They all have the same amount of UVB however, Lamp A = 7.5% UVB Lamp B = 6% UVB Lamp C = 5% UVB Which is the best lamp? Which would you buy? (info from Cosmedico)

01-28-2003, 01:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
CHUNN Join Date: Oct 17 2000 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 3,819 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 25	Really good question! This is how lamp manufacturers have marketed to salon owners and probably still do. These lamps are 6% lamps. These are better they are 9%. After a few years in the industry you begin to question what this means and you learn that the percentage of UVB without the total output means nothing! I didn't answer the question but you reminded me of the game that is played with salon owners.

01-28-2003, 04:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
lampman Join Date: May 27 2001 Posts: 204 Rep Power: 23	It is true that UVB amount is relative to the total output of the lamp.It is also true that UVB% is not a way to judge a lamps performance.For example the Cosmedico Hi Tan has around 4.7% uvb,does that mean that the lamp has a longer TE time than a 5.0% NO. The only true way to judge a lamp is by the actual scan of the lamp and the calculated times.This information will tell you the compatability and max tan times but not how the lamp tans.Some lamps have more total output but less UVB,generally they will brown better than a high uvb lamp.

01-28-2003, 06:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
BooBop I love Derf!! Join Date: Apr 5 2001 Age: 66 Posts: 7,766 Rep Power: 28	Less UVB is more bronzing, right??? Med and te times is the real answer no matter what the lamp B% is correct... Or am I failing here? great topic btw.

01-28-2003, 08:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
solarmeter Join Date: Nov 13 2001 Location: MI Posts: 861 Rep Power: 23	No... more UVA is more bronzing. UVB, MED & Te are all related to reddening (erythemal) output. But lots of UVA needs SOME UVB to stimulate melanin. It is a combination of all these values that tells the story.

01-28-2003, 08:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
CHUNN Join Date: Oct 17 2000 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 3,819 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 25	The part of the UVA spectrum closest to UVB can also provide melanogenesis. _________________ Wan Dang O is much faster....[ This Message was edited by: chunn on 2003-01-28 21:28 ]

01-28-2003, 09:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
BooBop I love Derf!! Join Date: Apr 5 2001 Age: 66 Posts: 7,766 Rep Power: 28	OOPS That was a typo Steve.... You got it goin on Frankie. Dang, I re-read this and I said LESS UVB IS MORE BRONZING STEVE. Would you quit confusing me! _________________ Mitzi Getting Ready to Rock in 2003[ This Message was edited by: Mitzi on 2003-01-29 09:18 ]

01-29-2003, 07:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
electricparadise Waiting Confirmation Join Date: Dec 4 2002 Posts: 180 Rep Power: 0	so you are saying /to get your tanners the darkest you should have some beds w/high uvb & some w/high uva & then rotate them? So how can we look at the specs. of bulbs to figure this out (tell me like I am 7yrs. old okay?)

01-29-2003, 09:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
solarmeter Join Date: Nov 13 2001 Location: MI Posts: 861 Rep Power: 23	Some salons do that, especially between LP and HP systems. But a better way, IMO, is to maintain a BALANCED level of UVB & UVA that is similar to morning or afternoon beach sun..... around 4% UVB. I think that 8-9% B "frybabie" beds and "almost pure UVA" HP beds are a waste of time and money. The best modern systems seem to have 3-5% B (LP) and 1-2% B (HP). That results in similar AMOUNTS of B in both cases, with HP of course providing much more A. Most lamp specs focus on percent B with no mention of total UV or amounts of B and A. You need to specifically ASK for that, and most good companies will then tell you. Bear in mind that mW/cm² values from a single lamp test are only about 1/3 of what a full array in the bed will put out, but PERCENTS will be the same. Bottom line is don't confuse percent with amount (quantity).

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)