What picture comes to mind when you think of a tanning bed? Probably a traditional shell style structure where a person lies down while getting tan. However, there is another type of tanning beds - stand up tanning beds. As the name implies, you stand rather than lie when getting your tan. Are there any advantages to using stand up beds? Many people who tan regularly will tell you that yes, stand up tanning bed is far superior to a traditional style. Let's find out what are their reasons.

Advantages of Stand Up Tanning Beds

In a standing bed you can move more freely, for example you can raise your arms. This gives you a more even tan all over. The lamps are also different; they have a special reflector that helps to spread all rays more evenly. So the claim that stand up beds produce better quality tan is definitely true.

Another benefit of stand up tanning beds that comes down to getting even tan is that there is no pressure points. This is different from person to person, but many people get less intense tan on the arias that touch the bed (in traditional style beds). Since in a vertical bed there is no pressure point the problem is illuminated all together.

Stand up beds use stronger bulbs. A bulb in a traditional tanning bed is about 100 watt, while standing up tanning beds use bulbs in the range of 160 watt. This gives you stronger tan for the same length session. As a result sessions in a stand up bed are shorter, which saves you time.

For many people hygiene is the main reason. In a stand up bed you don't have to touch the same surface that other tanners were touching. So people feel that this type of tanning beds is more sanitary. Actually, touching the surface of tanning bed doesn't matter. Salon tanning beds use very strong bulbs and UV light from them kills most bacteria. Also the law requires that salon tanning beds should be cleaned and disinfected after each use. However, if it makes you feel better, that you don't have to lie on the same surface as everybody else, than vertical tanning beds have one more plus side.

Stand up beds cons

The only real disadvantage of this type of tanning bed is that you can get tired easily. It might be quite boring to stand up while tanning. But it is really a matter of personal preference.

Some tanners might tell you that since vertical tanning beds use stronger lamps, they are more dangerous. This claim is not true. Yes, you get exposed to more harmful UVB and UVA rays than in a traditional tanning bed, but you tan a shorter time. So at the ends the health risks are exactly the same for both types of tanning beds.

Tanning safely

Speaking of tanning safety rules, you should be careful no matter what type of tanning bed you use. Tanning lotion is an absolute must have for safe tanning. You should never go for indoor tanning without applying a lotion first. Another way to avoid health risks associated with artificial tan is to take only short sessions. If you protect your skin with a quality tanning lotion and don't tan for longer than necessary, you don't have to worry about tanning bed dangers.

Stand up tanning beds definitely give you more even tan more quickly. Other than that it is a matter of personal preference. You can't say that one style is safer than the other. So if you are thinking about trying a stand up bed go for it, and then you can see which style you like more.