The benefits and harms of going to the solarium: contraindications, tanning rules

Benefits of solarium:

normalization of mental state and general well-being;
relieving muscle tension;
reducing the load on the nervous system, eliminating stress;
help in the fight against depression, the appearance of which is associated with the change of season;
accelerating the healing of wounds and scars, improving the appearance of the skin, including helping in the fight against acne, oiliness and psoriasis.

The main advantage of tanning in a solarium is the activation of many body systems, for example, respiratory, reproductive and endocrine.

The question of whether sunbathing in a solarium is harmful is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, there is a significant positive effect on human health, on the other hand, harmful ultraviolet radiation . But if the correct dosage is observed, this “helper” will not have a bad effect. However, if you do not take into account the characteristics of the body and neglect the maximum time spent under the lamps in the solarium, you can “earn” the following ailments:

Having no idea about his own permissible limit of consumed rays, a person weakens his immune system.
Ultraviolet rays, which cause tanning, are dangerous if used excessively, because in this case all the body’s forces are aimed at protecting against its effects.
Getting sunburned can lead to cancer.
Melanoma, a cancer that cannot be cured, can develop even from skin trauma in childhood caused by excessive sun exposure, and the appearance of these lesions in adulthood is likely to give rise to cancer.

Neglecting radiation affects fertility in women and can even cause short-term, lasting several days, infertility in men.

If you combine antibiotics and a solarium , the consequences can be fatal . Research has shown that some people may experience photosensitivity, or an atypical reaction to ultraviolet light.

This phenomenon in itself can be described as an allergy to a medicine. Its development occurs with the participation of the immune system: the drug molecules become a kind of haptens, or substances that are able to interact with antigens, but do not exhibit immunogenic properties when exposed to rays, which causes an allergic reaction, manifested in the form of necrosis, lupus erythematosus or other autoimmune diseases .

The main factor in choosing a particular salon providing this service should be certificates for lamps . The newer they are, the better, because “burnout” directly affects the result of the procedure: the consequences that old lamps in a solarium can cause include uneven tanning.

If the skin color has not changed at all after 2-3 sessions, then the device definitely contains old, already used emitters. But we should not forget that if the lamp has not yet worked for 20 hours after installation, then its radiation is much stronger, which means it is necessary to reduce the time spent inside the device.

Most experts agree that visiting a solarium during menstruation is contraindicated . The reason for this is sudden changes in a woman’s body: during menstruation, melanin, a pigment that protects the body from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays on humans, is not produced, which is why a tan appears. Therefore, on critical days it is extremely difficult to get a beautiful skin tone.

The dangerous consequences of solarium also include the following:

decreased hormone levels, which can lead to heavy bleeding;
possible spasm of uterine vessels provoked by exposure to rays;
ideal conditions for the development of inflammation when using tampons;
possible dizziness if the woman suffers from hypertension.

Pregnancy is a categorical prohibition . This period is characterized by special changes in the hormonal system, which leads to increased sensitivity to harmful ultraviolet radiation. Pigment spots may appear on the mother's skin, which are almost impossible to remove.

Contraindications to solarium:

pregnancy;
taking antibiotics, antidepressants, tranquilizers, contraceptives;
Celtic type of appearance (white skin, blue eyes, freckles) and blond hair and/or eyes;
diseases of the endocrine system, including the thyroid gland;
exacerbation of chronic diseases of internal organs;
a large number of moles on the body.

Read more in our article about the consequences of solarium.

The benefits of solarium

In winter, when the night is longer than the day, thoughts about visiting a solarium appear more and more often. Its principle of action is to produce ultraviolet rays, which are similar to those produced by the sun, and this leads to tanning. When used correctly, tanning in a solarium can do more good than harm.

For example, its help is to:

Improve your mental state . Modern life is fast, which negatively affects a person’s mental health. By taking artificial sunbathing in a solarium, you can, if not avoid it, then greatly reduce the consequences of excessive activity.
Relieve muscle tension . A visit to a solarium can improve the flow of all biological processes in the body, which, in turn, will have a positive effect on its overall well-being and restoration of the muscular skeleton.

Reduce the load on the nervous system , including relieving stress. It’s not difficult to imagine yourself on some island surrounded by water, and at least temporarily unload and get a boost of energy while being inside a device that gives a person an attractive appearance during a session in the solarium.
Relieve depression , the appearance of which is associated with the change of season. It has long been proven that there is no better assistant than sunlight to lift your mood and improve the production of serotonin, the “hormone of joy,” the lack of which leads to neuroses, depression and simply stress on the central nervous system.

It is impossible not to recall such properties of UV radiation as accelerating the healing of wounds and scars, improving the appearance of the skin, including helping to combat acne, oiliness and psoriasis.

The main advantage of tanning in a solarium is the activation of many body systems, for example, respiratory, reproductive and endocrine.

We recommend reading the article about tanning during pregnancy. From it you will learn about the benefits of sunbathing for the expectant mother, contraindications, what should be taken into account when getting a tan, sunscreens during pregnancy and the possible consequences of tanning. And here is more information about whether a nursing mother can sunbathe.

How can you maximize the effect of visiting a solarium?

Following simple recommendations will help you maintain a beautiful tan for a long time:

3-5 days before the session, treat your skin with a scrub or peeling. Dead particles of the epidermis are removed, the tan goes on more evenly and is better fixed.
Carry out any water treatments at least 4 hours before visiting the solarium. Water washes away the natural protective layer of the skin, and problems with melanin synthesis may occur.
Don't forget about regularly moisturizing your skin: use milk or body lotion daily, follow a drinking regime (at least 1.5 liters of clean water daily). Moisture deficiency in the cells of the epidermis is one of the main reasons for the rapid disappearance of tanning.
Avoid hot baths, using hard washcloths, and visiting baths and saunas. This can cause skin peeling and loss of pigment-rich cells.
Conduct an audit of cosmetic products, exclude everything that contains whitening ingredients, for example, arbutin and AHA acids (aka fruit acids). The same applies to folk remedies. The whitening effect is provided by lemon juice, cucumbers, parsley, strawberries, chamomile, dairy and fermented milk products.

Scrubbing done in advance helps the tan to stick better, but if done immediately before a visit to the solarium, the likelihood of getting burns increases.

Video: how to prevent your tan from fading quickly

Diet also plays a big role in maintaining a tan. It is necessary to include products that contain:

Beta carotene. In the body, this substance is converted into vitamin A, which activates the process of melanin synthesis. In addition to any vegetables, berries and orange fruits (carrots, pumpkin, apricots, peaches, oranges, sea buckthorn, mangoes, persimmons), its sources are liver, pine nuts, tomatoes, spinach.
Vitamin A. Cheeses, milk, egg yolks, and sea fish are rich in it.
Vitamin C. Has a powerful antioxidant effect and is necessary for the absorption of selenium, which plays an important role in the process of melanin synthesis. Any fresh fruit, berries and vegetables are suitable, the highest concentration is in strawberries, black currants, and tomatoes.
Vitamin E. Considered one of the most important for the skin, it helps maintain its youth for a long time, including protecting against photoaging. Any vegetable oils (especially corn and sunflower) and nuts are rich in it.

Including orange fruits and vegetables in your diet is a source of vitamin A, necessary for melanin synthesis.

If possible, minimize the consumption of alcohol, strong black tea and coffee. These drinks provoke dehydration of the body and inhibit the process of melanin synthesis. Sweets, spicy, fatty and fried foods have a similar depressing effect.

Video: a diet that helps maintain a tan

Is it harmful to visit it and why?

The question of whether sunbathing in a solarium is harmful is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it has a significant impact on human health, and on the other hand, harmful ultraviolet radiation. But you shouldn’t rush to get upset: if you follow the correct dosage, this “helper” will not have a bad effect. However, if you do not take into account the body’s characteristics and neglect the maximum time for spending under the lamps in a solarium, you can “earn” the following ailments:

Having no idea about his own permissible limit of consumed rays, a person weakens his immune system.
Ultraviolet rays, which cause tanning, are dangerous if used excessively, because in this case all the body’s forces are aimed at protecting against its effects.
Getting sunburned can lead to cancer.
Melanoma, an incurable malignant tumor, can develop even from skin trauma in childhood caused by excessive sun exposure, and the appearance of these lesions in adulthood is likely to be the onset of the disease, cancer.

Neglecting radiation affects fertility in women and can even cause short-term, lasting several days, infertility in men. Is it dangerous to be on antibiotics?

Any instructions for the drug say in black and white that if you combine antibiotics and a solarium, the consequences can be fatal . This is explained by the fact that, according to research, some people may experience photosensitivity or an atypical reaction to ultraviolet radiation.

This phenomenon in itself can be described as an allergy to a medicine. Its development occurs with the participation of the immune system: drug molecules become a kind of haptens, or substances that are able to interact with antigens, but do not exhibit immunogenic properties, under the influence of rays, which causes an allergic reaction, manifested in the form of necrosis, lupus erythematosus or some other or other autoimmune diseases.

lupus erythematosus

What is the harm from tanning in a solarium?

When planning to sunbathe, you need to remember that the harm of a solarium for women is not only the formation of early wrinkles, but also the aggravation of the severity of diseases of the genital area. If you suffer from any gynecological diseases or any type of mastopathy, then ultraviolet irradiation can lead to their exacerbation or even degeneration into a malignant process. Even if breast pain appears only before menstruation, it is better to avoid artificial tanning, despite the use of nipple covers. A direct contraindication to visiting a solarium is the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as menstruation. Ultraviolet light can stimulate strong hormonal shocks, the results of which are difficult to predict.

Among fans of tanning in solariums there are many men, and not only actors, athletes, models and TV presenters. Many ordinary people want to have beautiful tanned skin, especially at the beginning of summer or a trip to the warm sea. The harm of solariums for men, in addition to coarsening, thickening and aging of the skin, also lies in the genital area. English doctors conducted special studies and came to the conclusion that tanning naked under the influence of long waves of ultraviolet radiation (namely, they predominate in the radiation of any solarium lamps) increases the likelihood of developing cancer of the penis or scrotum.

It is especially dangerous to sunbathe in a solarium for people with very white skin (Celtic type I) and an abundance of moles and age spots on the skin. If moles and age spots change their original appearance, for example, they become larger, turn red, or simply itch, you should immediately contact an oncologist. It is not recommended to sunbathe under ultraviolet light for those suffering from hypertension, diabetes, thyroid pathologies, or liver diseases. If you are taking sulfonamides, antibiotics, antidepressants, photosensitizers, hormonal drugs, it is better to postpone visiting the solarium, as their effect increases sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.

The harm from tanning in a solarium can be significantly reduced if you visit a proven and well-established establishment, and also follow the following simple rules: - apply special cosmetics before and after the session; - cover your breasts with a stickkini or sunbathe in a swimsuit; - cover your hair with a special cap.

In addition, on your first visit to the solarium, do not sunbathe for more than 3 minutes, then gradually increase the procedure time by 1-2 minutes, but never spend more than 10 minutes under ultraviolet lamps. Doctors recommend visiting the solarium in courses of 10-14 days, taking procedures every other day, but no more than two courses per year.

In particular, read the information about whether tanning from the sun is harmful.

Are old lamps in a solarium harmful?

The main factor in choosing a particular salon providing this service should be certificates for lamps. The newer they are, the better, because the “burnout” of the lamp directly affects the result of the procedure: the consequences that old lamps in a solarium can cause include uneven tanning.

If the skin color has not changed at all after 2-3 sessions, then the device definitely contains old, already used emitters. But we should not forget that if the lamp has not yet worked for 20 hours after installation, then its radiation is much stronger, which means it is necessary to reduce the time spent inside the device.

Watch the video about the dangers of solarium:

Rules for going to the solarium

It is important to know the rules for visiting a solarium so as not to cause harm to your health. The choice of location for the procedure must be taken seriously and approached with all responsibility. It is required to adhere to certain measures:

Before going to the solarium, visit a doctor and consult.
The selected salon must have a sufficient number of positive reviews. Comply with all hygiene standards and have lamps that can be used for no more than 5 years. The tanning bed must be wiped down before you enter the booth. The lamps used must be low pressure. These are suitable for all skin types.
All large protruding moles and wounds on the body must first be sealed with adhesive tape, and the piercing is removed. Use special nipple shields. It is not recommended to use perfume or make-up before tanning. If this could not be avoided, remove everything with a napkin before entering the booth.
It is important to use a special cap for your hair and glasses for your eyes. This will help protect them from drying out and the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation. You should not visit the booth without glasses.
Some people are wondering if it’s possible to go to the solarium every day? The answer is negative. You cannot visit the booth every day. The skin needs rest from this procedure. Therefore, you should walk no more often than every other day, or better yet, less often. To make the skin endure everything easier, it is recommended to use various moisturizers, gels or creams.
The duration of one session should not exceed half an hour. It is recommended to start with a few minutes and gradually increase the time.
If during or after a session you feel a sharp deterioration in your health, you should immediately stop going to the solarium. This way you can avoid causing severe harm to the body.

By following the described recommendations, you can visit the solarium without harm to your health. All of the above consequences not only for women, but also for men. The harm and benefits of the procedure are almost equal, and if you want to show off a tanned body, it is important to approach this issue with the utmost seriousness and caution from the first day.

Is it possible to visit during pregnancy or during menstruation?

Most experts agree that visiting a solarium during menstruation is contraindicated. The reason for this is sudden changes in a woman’s body: during menstruation, melanin, a pigment that protects the body from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays on humans, is not produced, which is why a tan appears. In other words, a menstruating girl simply won’t be able to get a decent tan.

The dangerous consequences of solarium also include the following:

decreased hormone levels, which can lead to heavy bleeding;
possible spasm of uterine vessels provoked by exposure to rays;
ideal conditions for the development of inflammation when using tampons;
possible dizziness if the woman suffers from hypertension.

How to measure the amount of blood released during menstruation
Pregnancy, unlike menstruation, is not a recommendation, but a categorical prohibition. The fact is that this period is characterized by special changes in the hormonal system, which leads to increased sensitivity to harmful ultraviolet radiation. Moreover, turning to the cosmetic aspect, age spots may appear on the mother’s skin, which are almost impossible to remove.