Indoor Tanning For Vitamin D - The Tanning Blog

Indoor Tanning For Vitamin D

This post contains unique advice on indoor tanning for vitamin D.

In a recent survey among tanning salon owners in the USA, more than 60% reported an increase in the number of tanners above 40 years old in their salons.

Healthy-tanning-advice_tanners-over-40-smarttan-Poll

Joseph Levy, Executive Director of Smart Tan that made the survey, commented the result like this:

“It’s clear that people are figuring out that they need to take a balanced approach to sun care and not just shut the sun out, particularly people over 40. The fact that the tanning market continues to attract clients in the 40-plus demographic is evidence of that.”

For sure, an increased awareness about the benefits of vitamin D should also result in an increased interest to get vitamin D in the most efficient, natural and least harmful way.

During summer, the absolute best source for vitamin D is the natural sun. But even then, you need to know how to tan in the right way in order to get maximum vitamin D while minimizing any negative side-effects from overexposure to UV-light.

I have covered that in my article titled “Do You Know How To Tan“.

Indoor tanning for vitamin D – find out how to do it right.

The advice in this article is about how to get vitamin D from a tanning bed.

First, let's get rid of any doubts about if you can get vitamin D from tanning beds. Because you definitely can. I have proved it on myself and there are several reports available from larger studies showing that a tanning bed can be an excellent source of vitamin D.

I am saying “can be” because not all tanning beds are the same when it comes to their ability produce the special ultraviolet rays that triggers the vitamin D production in your skin.

The optimal “special ultraviolet rays” that are needed for producing vitamin D are of the wavelength 295-310 nm in the UVB range. The problem with that is that they come very close to the burning area (erythema) of UV-light.

Since indoor tanning is regulated by authorities in most countries to cater for so called cosmetic tanning, tanning beds in professional tanning salons are emitting mainly UVA (just like real sunshine, by the way).

UVA has longer waves than UVB and oxidize the pigment (melanin) you already have in your skin to a darker color. UVA-rays do, however, neither make vitamin D nor do they help your skin to create more melanin.

In addition to being commercially focused on cosmetic tanning, tanning-regulations, at least in the USA, prevents salon operators to give any advice about the potential health effects from indoor tanning.

As a “Vitamin D-tanner” who wants to seek out a tanning salon for your twice-weekly vitamin D dose, you might therefore have some difficulties to get enough information when you shop around for a place to get vitamin D.

healthy-tanning-for-vitamin-d_no-high-pressure-face-tanning-lamps
High-pressure face-tanning lamps can be switched off during healthy tanning for vitamin D

Here are some concrete advice for how you can find out if a tanning salon has equipment that can fulfill your needs and also some practical tips for how to use indoor tanning for vitamin D:

  • If you are in the USA, don’t even bother to ask a tanning salon operator if they offer “healthy tanning for vitamin D”. You risk to be taken for an “under-cover agent” either from the media or from the authorities and the answer will probably not be very useful.
  • Instead, ask the concrete question “how much UVB, (in % of UVA), does your tanning bed with highest amount of UVB have?”
  • If the answer is above 5% UVB (in North-America) or 2.3% (in Europe), you are good. You might find that many salon-operators do not know how much UVB there is in their tanning beds, but that, I believe, is about to change in the future.
  • When you come to the salon you selected, you will find that the tanning beds with enough UVB, always are equipped with low-pressure lamps (those are the lamps that looks like long ordinary fluorescent lighting fixtures) for the body. They might also have extra high-pressure (round lamps with dark, square filters) UVA lamps for the face. The high-pressure face-tanners are there to give an extra cosmetic color boost to the face. They are not needed, and not even desirable, for vitamin D tanning and should therefore be switched off during your session.
  • If you want to further protect your face-skin during your tanning session for vitamin D, you can cover your face with a towel. If you tan in a vertical tanning bed, you can even use a broad-spectrum sun-protection lotion, for your face. See more about tanning cosmetics below.
  • You should of course also follow all other precautions for indoor tanning, like protecting your eyes with special eyeshields.

Now, for the most important advice about on how long sessions you should have for indoor tanning for vitamin D.

You will find that in a good professional tanning salon there are tanning-protocols that combine your skin-type with the output power for each tanning bed in the salon. Those protocols are however made solely for cosmetic tanning goals and are not good for vitamin D tanning. (Actually, as a vitamin D tanner, you should try to avoid to get a dark tan because a dark tan will increase your natural UV-protection and thus prolong the time needed to make vitamin D)

Here is how you still can use them in order to get a tanning session with zero-risk of burning while getting a full dose of vitamin D.

After having identified the best tanning bed for you according to the UVB selection described above, you ask for the normal session-time for cosmetic tanning in that bed according to your skin-type. Then you cut that time in half.

Following the advice above, you will get enough UVB for creating 10,000 to 15,000 IU vitamin D from one session and you will have absolutely ZERO risk of burning.

You will need at least 2 sessions per week in order to escape vitamin D deficiency.

I have described the process for healthy tanning much more in detail on this page: the secrets of how to use UV-light for healthy tanning. Click here and get the secrets. Having just re-read Michael Holicks book “The Vitamin D Solution“, I see that the advice above corresponds very well to the advice on indoor tanning for vitamin D which Dr. Holick gives in his book.

One additional advice about tanning lotions for indoor vitamin D tanning.

Limited Couture tanning lotion for healthy indoor tanningYou can, and you actually should, use tanning lotions during and after  a tanning session. The moisturizing and skin-caring effect in tanning lotions, help the UVB rays to penetrate deep enough to reach the vitamin D receptors in your skin-cells. They also reduce any visual aging-effects of UV-light (see my proof here). Do NOT use sun-protection lotions (except, maybe, for the face as described above).

There are so many tanning lotions to choose from and very often, the salon-staff will try to sell you a lotion full of extra bronzers to enhance the cosmetic coloring of your skin. Just like with the UVA lamps for face-tanning, as described above, for vitamin D tanning you do NOT need any lotions with color-enhancing bronzers.

Look for a tanning lotion based on Aloe-Vera or coconut juice (Aloe-Vera or coconut juice should be the first or the second ingredient listed on the backside of the bottle). Then, there is normally a direct relationship between the price of the lotion and how many other good active skincare ingredients it contains. Don’t be greedy to your skin! You will wear it all your life! (Click here for more about ingredients in tanning lotions).

Don’t forget to share this advice with your friends, colleagues and relatives. It is never too late (or too early) for indoor tanning for vitamin D.

Do you know any tanning salon that tries to make it easy for Vitamin D-tanners? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Latest posts

62 Comments

  1. Nice post, truly insightful info about SEO. I have used these techniques to bring more traffic to the site and it worked and I used tools to do backlinking. Buy Google Reviews please keep it up Maintains!

  2. Hi Laura, thanks for reading my blog and sorry for the late reply. I suggest that you contact a supplier of tanning beds where you live and ask them for the bed (for home use?) with lamps with high UVB output. And when you get it, follow the advice in the post you’ve commented upon here. Please let us know the result or any other questions.

  3. Please let me know the best unit to purchase for optimal Vitamin D production!

    My levels are about 25 in winter/spring and 60 by the end of the summer. Would like to maintain more healthy levels of vitamin D all year and cannot get specific info from the tanning salon. Aside note, my mild psoriasis was eliminated after 2 visits to a tanning salon.

  4. Hi Cherylin, and thank for being a reader of my blog! The Sperti lamps are made and endorsed by Vitamin D experts and do what they promise.

  5. I just discovered this blog – Wow! Thank you so much for your awesome work – very helpful. I am debating about whether to purchase my own Vit. D-producing lamp for home use or finding a tanning salon. In Canada, the only lamp I’m hearing about for home use is the Sperti lamp (www.sperti.com). Have you heard of it, and if yes, what are your thoughts?

  6. Hi Brandon, Thank you for reading my blog and for your appreciation! To be really honest with you, I do not understand what your local salon is offering in terms of UVB and UVA. However, besides the percentages (which I don’t get), as you might know from reading some of my posts, I am greatly in favor of UVB over UVA. Mainly due to vitamin D production, but also for its possibility to promote melanin creation which builds up the natural radiation protection of your skin. Plus, probably, many other benefits from UVB not yet specifically identified.
    Taking into account your statement about existing skin tone and desire of not becoming too dark, the advice I really would like to give is to encourage your salon to mix some red light lamps into one of their beds with already strong UVB. That would probably be the best tanning skin care routine for you as well as for many others and the salon would certainly benefit from that in many ways. Two days a week 10 minutes sounds optimal for you, but, as said, with any of the present options available, you will get darker and darker. It’s unavoidable. The additional red light will rejuvenate your skin and counter any stress which can occur from the UV-exposure, especially UVA. I suppose I do not have to remind you about the importance to use good quality tanning lotions, just stay away from those with extra bronzers (DHA and/or Cosmetic coloring bronzers) since they will add color in a not fully natural way. Lotions with the third type of bronzer, Tyrosine, are OK since they will help the melanin creation in a natural way. (and, probably, also speed up the vitamin D production, but that is more me guessing since no research has been made about that, at least not to my knowledge.) To conclude, with the conditions given, I suggest you try to find a routine which suits your goals. Just be careful not to burn. And, if possible, try to check your vitamin D levels now and then to see that the UVB does its job as it should. Thanks again for reading my blog and please share it with others.

  7. Guru, I’ve just started looking into indoor tanning for vitamin d production, and your blog has been really helpful. My local tanning salon apparently focuses on uvb and claim to have a 50% uvb 50% uva bed and one that is 100% uvb. I’m wondering if a higher amount of uvb is harmful even if I don’t burn from it (I have type IV darker skin). I tried the 50% uvb 50% uva bed for 10 minutes and didn’t burn, although it felt intense while I was in it and I felt a little nauseous that evening. If I plan to go twice a week do you think I would be better off using one of their 5% uvb 95% uva beds for overall health and vitamin d production? Is there any danger, besides burning, from higher uvb exposure? I don’t really care to tan my skin since I’m already somewhat dark. Thanks!

  8. Hi Philip, thank you for your comment and questions! The only way to “eliminate our dependence on a salon’s human resources” is to look at the markings of the tubes where the actual specifications for each tube should be printed. But even if that would be possible, there are many different ways/rules to mark the tubes, making it not very straight forward. I would suggest that you try to find a salon with knowledgable staff and stick to that. Maybe they even have the data-sheat for the tubes available.
    Regarding beds for home use, if you have any options available for purchase online in your country, please send the links to me and I can give my judgment. / Cheers/ Göran

  9. Hi Guru, thank you for all of this info. I have been indoor “tanning” for about 5 years to help my psoriasis (alternatives are suppressing my immune system or potentially thinning my skin with steroids, which often has a rebound effect). Similar to your Vitamin B perspective, psoriasis responds best (reduction) to UVB rays. You are correct, in my time tanning, I have been in and out of multiple salons and few receptionists and/or owners, if any, have any clue about UVA/UVB percentages. I have been told low level beds have anywhere from 100% UVA to (yeah, this low-level bed is 50% UVB), I was even told yesterday, by the owner, that his top level beds have “UVC broad spectrum”, smh. My question, is there a way for us to eliminate our dependence on a salon’s human resources? Could I Google the bulb(s) and/or bed to determine the percentage of UVB output? Many thanks in advance for your help. Lastly, I am considering buying a bed to use at home, for all the reasons you already know. Would like to keep it as cheap as possible while still getting the benefit. Bed, bulbs, both, any help would be greatly appreciated!

  10. No need to hire. I’m just glad to help. However, please be aware that I am not updated on the regulations and market in the USA.

  11. Thanks, Guru. Would it be possible for me to hire you as a consultant for about a 20 minute phone conversation? You’re a pioneer in this field and I’d like your guidance on how to get the best home equipment.

  12. Hi, thanks for your comment. You will most likely not find the Collatan-lamp which I describe in this post anywhere in the USA, except, maybe, in some medical clinic. You can, however, reach a similar result with a combination of lamps with strong UVB and Red Light (Collagen) lamps.

  13. Hi Guru, I’d also certainly appreciate your recommendation for a home tanning bed. I’m interested in getting both Vitamin D and red light therapy as described in “This Red Light Therapy Tanning Lamp Skyrocketed My Vitamin D Level.” (I tried to find the Collatan+D lamp in the USA but wasn’t successful.) Thanks!

  14. Usually I never comment on blogs but your blog is very interesting. Your post just proposed a good idea. It is lovely! I’m in a linen selling business since 4-5 years so I too like to share my experience with people on my blog wall. My recent blog was Bed skirts for Low Profile Box Spring, if you love to read must visit it. Even you will find some amazing products like 18 inch bed skirt, twin XL bed skirt there. One more thing I must tell you that it was nice post. Thanks for sharing your awesome Ideas

  15. Usually I never comment on blogs but your blog is very interesting. Your post just proposed a good idea. It is lovely! I’m in a linen selling business since 4-5 years so I too like to share my experience with people on my blog wall. My recent blog was Bed skirts for Low Profile Box Spring, if you love to read must visit it. Even you will find some amazing products like 18 inch bed skirt, twin XL bed skirt there. One more thing I must tell you that it was nice post. Thanks for sharing your awesome Ideas

  16. Hi Mike (Thanks for reading my blog and your question and sorry for delayed reply!). The level-system for tanning beds in the US, is mainly geared towards the cosmetic side of indoor tanning (i.e. to get as dark as possible in as little time as possible). Probably because, in many states, salons are not allowed to talk about any health benefits from the use of sunbeds. However, it is safe to say that the level 1 beds often are the best for “vitamin-D tanning”. This level is often described as good for stimulating the melanin production in the skin in order to build a base-tan for the UVA in the higher level beds to darken.
    This description by Palm Beach Tan might be helpful:
    https://palmbeachtan.com/sunbed-tanning/our-sunbeds/

  17. hey,

    Great job here on the vitamin D. You Know what?

    I read a lot of blog posts and I never heard of a topic like this. I LOVE this topic you made about the vitamin D. Very ingenious.

  18. It would be awesome if you could clarify the percentage or bed level rating system.

    You said ask the salon how much UVB, (in % of UVA), the tanning bed has.

    But many salons don’t know or use this system. It seems many go by levels of 1-9 etc.

    Could you please tell us how we can determine this percentage or level by checking the brand and models of bed/booth or how we can inform the salon how they can check with their supplier?

    Thank you very much.

  19. Vitamin D is a unique nutrient which is essential for a number of bodily functions. It is really help all patient. Thanks for sharing.
    Keep up the great work.

  20. Amazing post. I think that Good eating Habits, is really good for health. It can improve blood circulation in the body and it can also help All patients.
    Thanks

  21. Really valuable information you have just posted above their. I’m really glad that I ended up to an amazing article. Keep up the great work. Thumbs up!

  22. Bought a tanning lotion that helps boost vitamin D, I did raise my levels from 25 to 35 ng/ml..

    But, I’ve used two different beds twice a week, (availability), I use level 1 or a level 4. Which one is the UVB bed? The level 1 is the plain ol’ old type tanning bed, and the level 4 is like a red spacecraft per say…

    The people that work there are clueless. I olive skin and rarely burn, so which bed is for this vitamin D benefit, and which is a waste of money??

  24. Hi, it’s an average tube, not with very strong UVB, therefore mainly for surface tan and not much for vitamin -d and melanin production.

  25. I started tanning 2x per week a little over 1 month ago… because my vit D was low… how long should I wait before testing again to see if tanning is working for me? I don’t want to test too soon and then not see results because I tested too soon. Thank you for your help with this and for all the awesome information.

  26. Thank you for breaking this down. It’s hard to find solid information on this topic.

  27. Hello,
    I want to thanks for the infos you spread here.. but i have a doubt.. the glass of tanning beds do not block UVB rays? Uhm

  29. Thanks for writing such a good Article on this Topic . I really impressed with your ways of article with this depth.enjoy this post and will try to read and review more.

  30. Hi Guru, I asked my local gym about this. The manufacturer of the beds didn’t mention it being a percentage, but says their beds have a UVB rating of 4.2 (reference range being 1.9-9.0). Does this rating provide any idea of whether or not these beds are good for vitamin D and melanin production?

  32. great advice on how to get a good tan inside using tanning equipment. Will definitely look into this when looking for my next tan

  33. This will help those patients suffering from Vitamin D deficiency especially when there are other physical movement challenges.

  36. Hello,

    I really impressed with your site it’s very interesting and helps a lot with different matters and I love it, Salute to the writer.

    Thank you,

    Tanishq

  38. Bought a tanning lotion that helps boost vitamin D, I did raise my levels from 25 to 35 ng/ml..

    But, I’ve used two different beds twice a week, (availability), I use level 1 or a level 4. Which one is the UVB bed? The level 1 is the plain ol’ old type tanning bed, and the level 4 is like a red spacecraft per say…

    The people that work there are clueless. I olive skin and rarely burn, so which bed is for this vitamin D benefit, and which is a waste of money??

  40. Vitamin D is a unique nutrient which is essential for a number of bodily functions. Very informative article about Indoor tanning for vitamin D and I just love the content.

  41. thanks
    I know that is very important but ….
    the best free source of vitamin D is sun but we usually forget it .
    pgma.ir

  42. Hi,

    Your article on the topic ‘Indoor Tanning For Vitamin D’ is though an old one, but it looks awesome and informative. Please keep doing the good work.
    Thanks & Regards,

  43. I’m in the UK but don’t live near a tanning salon. Which sunbed would be the best to buy for home use??

  44. Hi Christina, yes, your vitamin D level is low, below the 30 ng/ml which is considered deficient (but still higher than former President Obama: http://www.thetanningguru.com/vitamin-d/obama-lacks-vitamin-sunbed-white-house-supplements/). You can boost it by using a sun bed with lamps high in UVB. 2-3 times a week and not more than half of the time recommended as maximum for your skin-type.
    Tanning directly after red-light therapy or use of vibra-platform gives a smoother tan due to the increased blood-circulation in the skin from red-light and vibrating.

  45. Thank you for writing this post. I just found out my vitamin D levels are 23.7. Is that extremely low? I have olive skin and rarely burn. Would you recommend tanning 3-4 times per week? Would you tan before or after red light and vibrational therapy?

  48. I am hoping someone can reccommend a home tanning bed to purchase that will give the best Vitamin D exposure and be the safest on the market in regards to negative sun exposure. Any suggestions would be great appreciated.Thank you

  49. I suggest you follow the recommendation for first week (2 minutes is approximately the time it takes for lamps to reach optimal temperature if the sunbed has not been used just before). Then stay on 5 minutes use for the regular (twice a week) sessions.

  50. “After having identified the best tanning bed for you according to the UVB selection described above, you ask for the normal session-time for cosmetic tanning in that bed according to your skin-type. Then you cut that time in half.”

    Perhaps you could give some further guidance with regards the optimal Vitamin D times

    The bed that I use is a level 3 bed with low pressure bulbs. For my type two skin the panel on the side has 3 columns

    Column 1: week 1 1st -3rd sessions 2 minutes

    Column 2: has 5 minutes as a recommended dose

    Column 3: states subsequent maximum 8 minutes

    given this information should a person looking to optimize vitamin D rather than tan adjust to 2, 3, or 4 mins in the tanning booth?

  51. Why does everybody in our industry insist on using the word TANNING? Our teachers never told us to go outside and get tan…they told us to get SUN. We are in the sun industry as our sun beds will mimic the sun in many ways. A tanning bed will only get you tan. It is semantics, I agree, but our industry is killing itself. Time for an image change…no more tanning for me, I’m going to get some sun ( and get tan in the process)

  56. That’s awesome I had no idea you could actually get vitamin D from tanning beds, I always thought that was one of the major drawbacks. I still prefer the real thing though.

  57. Great article.It made me realize the value of vitamin d tanning.And also the perfect way of doing it. You have put all the efforts needed to present it in full-fledged way.Truly Appreciable work…..:)

  58. Its such a helpful article for the patients suffering from deficiency of Vitamin D. I found this article really useful and knowledgeable.

  59. Isn’t it amazing that you can get Vitamin D without having kissed by the sun? I’m so glad about the technology. You can just look for the best tanning salon and get all the vitamin D that you need!

  60. Thank you for this post. People should really get a balance tanned skin. You may also go to Portland’s most desirable tanning salon at 2160 West Burnside Portland OR 97210 or just call this phone number 503.926.8622 and we’re looking forward to serving you and doing everything we can to help you achieve your deepest, darkest tan.

Comments are closed.

© 2024 The Tanning Blog - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP