Melanin stimulation/production

[carriejay]

Is there a difference in how much melanin is stimulated/produced if I use a bed with 5% UVB or a bed with 3% UVB? Also, how long does the melanin last once I have been in a base bed?

The reason I ask is because the level 1 beds in my salon are Wolff and have 5% UVB but I don't like to use them as much because 1) they are small and cramped and 2) Half the time I'm in the bed I have to have a towel over my face or else it will burn because there are no facial bulbs. The level 2 beds they have are Orbit beds with 3% UVB and they have facial bulbs and are much roomier.

Can I use the the Orbit bed and still get the same color from the HP Ultrabronz afterwards, or would I get better color if I use the Wolff and then the Ultrabronz?

[TheOyster]

Thats really hard to say without also knowing what the max exposure time for each bed is and you'd have to know what the lamps output spectra is etc. I think, you'd be fine on the Orbit.

I agree that L1 beds without facial bulbs are annoying. I just put SPF 15 sunscreen on my face.

[carriejay]

The Wolff bed is 20 minutes and the Orbit comes in stand up and lay down. The stand up is 7 minutes, while the lay down is 12. I don't know what the output spectra is on them, but I could ask next time I go in (provided the girl who doesn't tan and knows nothing about tanning isn't working lol).

I hate that I can't just relax in the L1 Wolff bed without checking my time and then putting a towel on my face halfway through. I think I may start putting spf on my face if I want to go in those beds, but I usually don't decide what bed I'm gonna use until right before I walk inside. Which is whyyyyy just using the Orbit beds would be so much more convenient :)

Thank you Oyster, for help so far. You are very knowledgeable and I trust your opinion.

[tangirl101]

I used to use a base bed with out facials and my face didn't really burn too badly. It was mostly my nose that turned a bit red and that was about it.
I would also try increasing the time that you expose your face to the regular bulbs so eventually you can go the full time without a towel on your face.

[TheOyster]

I love the 20 minute beds, I'd stick with either of the laydowns. I don't like beds with exposure times <10minutes cause the UV intensity is too high, even if you get the same amount of exposure.

The SPF I use is Garnier's Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue UV Lotion, its SPF 15, and not loaded with active ingredients, so it light and doesn't feel or smell like sunscreen.

[carriejay]

That Garnier lotion sounds good I think I'll try it. Is it a facial moisturizer or just sunscreen for the face?

Tangirl, I did keep increasing the time I exposed my face but once I got to 9 minutes, every time I try to move up to 10, I burn. I'm just fair skinned, and I think my face is even fairer than the rest of my body so I'm probably stuck at 9 minutes.

[TheOyster]

It's a facial sunscreen. But its not heavy like suncreens with high SPF's/concentrations of active ingredients.

[carriejay]

That sounds great I'll have to pick some up for tanning, and it will also come in handy on my cruise in March. Thanks so much Oyster, I really appreciate your help. :)