Background Indoor tanning

typical f71t12 71-inch, 100-watt, bi-pin tanning lamp

ultraviolet radiation (uvr) part of electromagnetic spectrum, beyond visible light. ultraviolet wavelengths 100 400 nanometres (nm, billionths of metre) , divided 3 bands: a, b , c. uva wavelengths longest, 315 400 nm; uvb 280 315 nm, , uvc wavelengths shortest, 100 280 nm.

about 95% of uvr reaches earth sun uva , 5% uvb; no appreciable uvc reaches earth. while tanning systems before 1970s produced uvc, modern tanning devices produce no uvc, small amount of uvb , uva. classified group 1 carcinogen, uvr has complex , mixed effects on human health . triggers synthesis of vitamin d , endorphins in skin, causes skin cancer , other damage, including wrinkles.

history

sunlamp in netherlands, 1930

in 1890 danish physician niels ryberg finsen developed carbon arc lamp ( finsen s light or finsen lamp ) produced ultraviolet radiation use in skin therapy, including treat lupus vulgaris. won 1903 nobel prize in physiology or medicine work.

until late 19th century in europe , united states, pale skin symbol of high social class among white people. victorian women carry parasols , wear wide-brimmed hats , gloves; homes featured heavy curtains kept out sun. working classes moved country work city factories, , crowded, dark, unsanitary homes, pale skin became increasingly associated poverty , ill health. in 1923 coco chanel returned holiday in cannes tan, later telling vogue magazine: golden tan index of chic! tanned skin had become fashion accessory.

in parallel physicians began advising patients on benefits of sun cure , citing antiseptic properties. sunshine promoted treatment depression, diabetes, constipation, pneumonia, high , low blood pressure, , many other ailments. home-tanning equipment introduced in 1920s in form of sunlamps or health lamps , uv lamps emitted large percentage of uvb, leading burns. friedrich wolff, german scientist, began using uv light on athletes, , developed beds emitted 95% uva , 5% uvb, reduced likelihood of burning. in 1978 wolff s devices began selling in united states, , indoor tanning industry born. first tanning salons opened in europe , north america in late 1970s.

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