Many people wonder: “If I spend 20 minutes in a tanning bed, how much time is that compared to being in the sun?” The truth is, tanning beds often emit stronger and more concentrated ultraviolet (UV) radiation than natural sunlight, which makes a short session far more intense than it seems.
1. UV Intensity: Sun vs. Tanning Bed
Natural Sunlight: At midday, the sun emits a balance of UVA and UVB rays. UV intensity changes with time of day, season, and location.
Tanning Beds: Most beds emit 95% UVA and 5% UVB, often at much higher intensity than natural sunlight.