What is optimum UVB content per bed level?
 

Ok, so I am doing all this research on lamps... Light source seems to be real hard to find published UVA and UVB output on each lamp series.

But what I am wondering, is what is the optimum UVB output per bed level? in both the owners mind and in the consumer results.

A base 20 minute 100w bed, with lamp output of 1.1 uvb and 27 uva might be a good fit is what I am thinking (feel free to correct me)

Step up a level and maybe a 20 minute bed can be converted into 15 minutes using a 100w, with lamp output of 1.3 uvb and 27 uva might work... (I am rationalizing of course)

etc...

but when I look into lamps for a 160w 10 minute standup... I catch myself second guessing the logic... would the customers be happy with the results from a bronzing lamp with 1.3 uvb and 38 uva, reflector, non-reflector? how do you get performance, price and satisfation all in one package... or do you just go for the kill and get lamps rated at 3% 4% or 6% UVB

would love some experienced advice.

Re: What is optimum UVB content per bed level?
 

look up don smith....he's the best

Re: What is optimum UVB content per bed level?
 

thanks eileen, I read most of his posts.. very informative, but the possibilities on lamps is ever increasing... if I understand the whole reflector vs non-reflector it comes down to the reflectors push more uvb towards the tanner, but looking at the bed manufacturers design of puting reflective surfaces behind the lamps... is this not the purpose built into the design?

Re: What is optimum UVB content per bed level?
 

http://www.lookingfit.com/articles/1...=don+and+smith


http://www.lookingfit.com/articles/1...=don+and+smith


Don Smith IS The Lamp Master. (and a groovy dude with a great partner--ie; Pat.--thanks you guys.)

Re: What is optimum UVB content per bed level?
 

Here is my 101 on lamps from a customer's perspective: I don't care what the UV B percentage output of the lamps is. I don't want to burn, I want to brown. I don't want to pay too much to achieve this, but I might be willing to pay a little more if you can sell/convince me of the value. I will continue to use your equipment provided I like you, your employees, your beds, and I feel like I am getting more than I'm paying for.

As for lamps, here is the owners' 101 as I see it: 20 min beds 100w nonreflector with no more than 5% UV B, 12 and 15 min 140 and 160w reflectors depending on the bed. I believe these lamp grades typically have less than a 3% UV B output, could be mistaken though.

Hope this helps. -Belvy

Re: What is optimum UVB content per bed level?
 

Ok, here we go. Believe it or not...

1. UVB percentage doesn't tell you anything about the total UV energy output of the tanning lamp.

It is possible to have a tanning lamp with 5 watts of UV (UVA + UVB) energy @ 8% UVB. By no means does this indicate a better tanning performance than a lamp with 50 watts of UV energy @ 2% UVB. The lamp with 50 watts of total UV energy will always tan better even with a lower UVB percentage. (UVB percentage is not really a percentage at all. It is a UVA/UVB ratio.

2. Watts of UV energy are different from the watt rating on the tanning lamp itself.

When comparing two 100 watt lamps, lamp A may have a higher UV energy output than lamp B even though they have the same watt rating. A GE 100 watt cool white does not produce the same tanning results as a 100 watt diamond sun.

(And here is the tricky part)

3. The UVA/UVB ratio changes over the life of the lamp.

If you get any deeper than that, it just makes your head hurt. (or at least it does mine)

The customer doesn't have a clue why they tan and they don't want to know. A better question is which bulbs are going to give me the most sessions for my money.

Re: What is optimum UVB content per bed level?
 

wow, 5% UVB on 100w, you are talking about the entire UV rating... IE: 1.1 uvb and 27 uva = 28.1, of which uvb = 3.9%

Most lamps I have been seeing are somewhere in the Norm of 0.9 - 1.3 UVB, but the UVA generally increases with with the watts of the lamp...

I am the same way in thought, less UVB, more UVA, but surprisingly there are those few customers that come out and want the PINK look, sometimes I think they have the notion that NO-PINK = fluorescents heheheh

Re: What is optimum UVB content per bed level?
 

Yep, my 100 watts are 5% UVB. Most salons here have the same bed for their level 1 and 2 with the only difference being the UVB.

Re: What is optimum UVB content per bed level?
 

What are you doing here? I thought Captain North America was home?!

Re: What is optimum UVB content per bed level?
 

Sandigirl, thats exactly my plan, and I think this can be accomplished simply by using non-reflector lamps in one, and reflector lamps in the other.

I put forth the plan in the equip forum to see if anyone thinks this is a bad idea or experienced any kind of overheating.