Saturday, May 1, 2010

Tanning Bed Light Bulbs - The Good, Bad, and the Ugly

Whether you own a tanning bed for personal home use, or for your salon, you are well aware of the pain it can be to replace tanning bed light bulbs once they've lost most of their effectiveness. Most tanning beds allow for multiple types of bulbs, but checking your manual is always a good idea.

Purchasing your bulb directly through the manufacturer is usually the option people take when deciding it's time for a replacement. This can be pricey, as manufacturers usually don't offer discounts. However, most find this the most convenient, as local shops and suppliers can run out of supplies fast. If your hard bent on getting the best deal your best bet is to open a relationship with a local supplier and have them hold your preferred bulb for you.

A big question or concern for many tanning bed owners is the quality of the bulb. The top styles that come recommended by most are by Voltarc, Wolff System, and Cosmedico. You usually end up paying a small amount for the "branding" in the bulb, however these bulbs have proven their reliability and effectiveness throughout the years. Using a low quality bulb will result in an uneven and unwanted tan that can be detrimental to your business if you own a salon. Choosing the right bulb is the most important part of the tanning equation.

Higher quality bulbs tend to last longer than cheaper bulbs. You typically get a full 500 hours of use out of a quality bulb before it needs to be replaced. Cheaper bulbs burn out much sooner and costs can add up in the long run. For home use only beds, a good set of bulbs should last you 4-5 years if you use it 20 minutes a day. This is just an estimate, and most people don't use their bed every day so the figure could theoretically be much higher. Tanning salons beds that get used regularly will obviously need to replace their bulbs much sooner.

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