What do you think of when you think of a tanning bed? Probably the old traditional shell style structure where a person lies down on one side of their body while getting tanned. However, there are other types of tanning beds - stand up tanning beds is one of them. 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 are far superior to a traditional style. Let's find out what are their reasons for saying so and if they are correct in making that statement.

Stand Up Tanning Bed Pros

When using a standing bed you can move more freely, for example you can raise your arms or turn around and bend freely. 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. Many people get less intense tan on the arias that touch the bed (in traditional old style beds).In a vertical bed there is no pressure points so the problem of an uneven tan is illuminated all together.

Stand up beds use much 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 a stronger tan for the same amount of time spent in a session. As a result session in a stand up bed is shorter, which saves you time and gives you a much more even tan.

For many people hygiene is the main reason for using stand up tanning beds. In a stand up bed you don't have to touch the same surface that other tanners were touching and sweating on. People feel that this type of tanning beds is more sanitary. Actually, touching the surface of tanning bed is not so unhygienic. 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 Tanning Bed 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 or your health condition.

Some tanners might tell you that since vertical tanning beds use stronger lamps, they are more dangerous than conventional tanning beds. 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 for a shorter period. So at the ends the health risks are exactly the same for both types of tanning beds.

Tanning Bed Safety

When it comes to tanning safety, you should be careful no matter what type of tanning bed you use. Tanning lotion is an absolute must have for safe tanning and 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 shortened 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 skin related risks.

Stand up tanning beds definitely give you more even tan quicker than ever before. 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 and make your own decision.