Wolff Tanning Beds - Sunco

Wolff home tanning beds, Wolff commercial tanning beds, equipment and supplies.
 

Tanning beds were introduced to America by a German scientist named Friedrich Wolff in 1978. But before we go into Wolff’s history, it may be interesting to briefly go over a short history of how indoor tanning became popular in the first place.

Getting a tan first became fashionable by accident. It is known that in 1923, French designer, Coco Chanel was seen leaving a nobleman's yacht with a sun tan after cruising from Paris to Cannes. She later claimed to have stayed out in the sun too long but her tan started a fashion trend.

But some years before it was considered fashion, the world's first UV indoor tanning lamp was made in Germany by a medical company named Heraeus in 1906. But it was not for improving the appearance of the skin. It was actually developed as part of medical research to help patients with diseases like rickets (Rickets is also known as Osteomalacia, Renal Osteodystrophy or Paediatric Osteomalacia. This disease is a Vitamin D deficiency resulting in softening and weakening of bones in children. Sunlight aids in creating Vitamin D which helps the body absorb calcium and thus create stronger bones. This is one of the mantras the tanning industry preaches in response to those who tell us to always stay out of the sun.)

In the 1970's, Friedrich Wolff used artificially produced indoor tanning UV light to study how athletes might benefit from more exposure to sunlight. The obvious side effect on the athletes was of course getting tanned. So the first indoor tanning beds were produced in Europe.

In 1978, Friedrich Wolff brought his idea to America and soon patented his particular blend of phosphors and began licensing it to other companies. Wolff Systems applied all their resources into lamp technology research and development. Some of the early adopters of the Wolff technology include SCA, Sun Industries, Inc. (makers of Suntana and SunDash), Montego Bay, Sunal and SunQuest.

Later, Friedrich sold Wolff Systems to his brother Jorg Wolff, who was the founder of Cosmedico, Ltd..

UVA and UVB Rays
Early American made indoor tanning beds emitted high levels UVB light. This light is accountable for the production of melanin in the skin which creates a tan. But minor exposure of UVB rays can also cause sunburn and other skin disorders and major exposure is linked to skin cancers.

Many dermatologists even today, decry the use of tanning beds because of the harm that UVB light can have on the skin. Meanwhile however, researchers in the tanning industry have found that tanning beds that use lamps with higher percentages of UVA light could provide a decreased risk of burning. Since then, the industry has been migrating to lamps with higher percentages of UVA.

    Digital Timer

With the use of automatic timers that turn the bed off after a set number of minutes, and sensible use, Wolff tanning beds can provide tanners with a healthy tan and minimal risk of skin damage. Today UVA rays account for the majority of rays originating in the lamps or bulbs in Wolff tanning beds. But although lamp technology and electronics have changed, today’s major tanning bed components haven’t varied that much from the early systems, however there are now many other choices including electronic and high frequency.

Indoor tanning has now become a common way to get a tan without having to spend hours and hours in the unpredictable radiation of the sun. The concern over burning exists whether tanning in the sun or in a tanning bed, the big difference being that indoor tanning offers a controllable environment with beds that automatically turn off after a preset number of minutes.

Low Pressure, High Pressure
Low pressure tanning beds are the traditional type of tanning beds developed from the beginnings. This type of tanning bed is more what you would find described as a home tanning bed although they are certainly in use in salons as well. Initially, low pressure tanning beds were the only kind available and therefore there was no distinction between ‘low pressure” and “high pressure”. This difference refers to the type of lamps used in the tanning beds.

Low pressure lamps are still the fluorescent type, using special phosphors that create a spectrum in the UVA and UVB range.

During the 1990s, a new type of tanning bed was introduced which was labeled as "high pressure". The term “high-pressure” refers to the atmosphere inside the lamps or bulbs, which are use mercury filled quartz lamps. The higher air pressure is what allows the lamp or bulb to filter out virtually all UVB rays - the rays that produce burn. The result is a faster, deeper, longer-lasting tan.

These units require special glass to remove the UVC, and are difficult to manufacture because of the critical alignment of the lamps. They are usually larger tanning beds with 8 to 16 lamps. Since the tanning effect is deeper it only requires a tanner to use it once or twice per month to maintain a tan, compared to every 48 hours for regular tanning beds. These units are also more expensive to operate so salons charge more for their use.

Home Tanning Beds
Many people are now choosing to own their own tanning bed instead of going to the salon. The primary being cost, convenience, privacy and cleanliness. Home tanning beds vary between 16 to 24 bulbs costing $2000 to $3000 although it’s not uncommon to see 28 and 30 bulb tanning beds in a home. (Note that the words “bulb” and “lamp” are used interchangeably.)

Another alternative is spray-on tanning, using either spray booths or a hand held setup similar to airbrushing. Many people who try spray on tanning still go to a tanning salon, and use the spray as an instant appearance of a tan. Others use it as a way to look tan while avoiding UV exposure of any kind although it requires more frequent maintenance to maintain the appearance of a tan.

Tanning Lotions
When tanning, it is recommended to use a tanning lotion to help nourish the skin so that it doesn’t dry out causing it to become older looking and/or wrinkled. Be aware also that some medications can cause you not to tan as well or may cause you to burn more easily. It is best not to be on any medication while tanning. And always, ALWAYS wear goggles. Closing your eyes is not good enough protection from the UV rays.

As for the lotions, there are many different brands with varying degrees of tanning accelerator or maximizer, bronzing, tingling, or moisturizing ingredients. Ask your salon or lotion provider for their recommendations.

Tanning lotions contain ingredients that stimulate melanin production, a common ingredient being Tyrosine. Tyrosine helps the body to retain melanin longer by replenishing the amino acids and slow down the exfoliation process. Many lotions also contain Vitamin E and a host of other ingredients that help fight signs of aging. Also, studies have shown that moist skin tans better than dry skin. So by using tanning lotion, you not only help your skin maintain a more youthful look, you also increase the efficiency of each tanning session. So to get the deepest, darkest tan you can, use a good quality indoor tanning lotion and apply it prior to each tanning session.

Conclusion
Today tanning salons have grown across the country and the tanning industry as a whole continues to grow. New advances in tanning technology have shortened tanning session times, and sunless tanning innovations have provided an alternative for tanners who prefer not to expose their skin to the ultraviolet light of a tanning bed.

The unit that was the result of Dr. Friedrich Wolff's research has now been through more than 30 years of laboratory research and development. Today, ETS manufactures Wolff tanning beds at their facility in Indiana while Sunco enjoys being the largest national distributor of Wolff tanning beds and tanning technology. Wolff is arguably the most recognized and trusted name in the tanning industry and boasts a long and proven track record that will keep our customers and yours coming back. Wolff Systems– Sun For Life®

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