Solarium for the face: what is the "home sun"

Most of the women today, caring for the condition of their skin, do not need additional arguments in favor of acquiring a home solarium for the face. Each self-respecting "fashionista" considers it necessary to have their own "personal sun" at home. However, often, using the described gadget, the user thinks only about the positive results of its effect on the skin of the face, ignoring the possible negative consequences not only for its appearance, but also for the normal functioning of individual internal organs. So what is a home solarium? Who needs this kind of “solar therapy”, and in which cases should it be avoided in every way? And also what technical characteristics should a properly selected device have to have to get an even tan on the face at home? Today we will answer these questions as detailed as possible, and also mention some other "pitfalls" of using the gadget in question.

What it is

Surely there is no person who has never in his life heard of a tanning bed and its structure. The design of the device for comprehensive tanning throughout the body implies an aggregate (horizontal or vertical) equipped with several dozens of ultraviolet lamps. When light elements are activated, an effect on the skin occurs. Due to this “irradiation”, the body, as a defense, begins to produce a special skin pigment, melanin, which has a dark color and is a kind of “barrier” between the light source and the deep layers of the epidermis. Thus, having passed the course of “solar” procedures, most often 10-15 depending on the type of skin, you can achieve an even “noble” tan without the need for prolonged exposure to the sun.

The solarium for the face, intended for home use, has a similar design. Its only difference from the dimensional analogues is the type of UV lamps. In mini-tanning salons, due to the special properties of the facial skin, manufacturers integrate low-power lamps with a minimum percentage of radiation.

It is worth noting that the "home sun" is not always used exclusively to obtain a dark skin color. This device is also effective in combating acne, acne, and allergic rashes. It is precisely because of the increased demand for mini-tanning beds from owners of various skin types that manufacturers are forced to minimize the risk of harmful effects on the human body by reducing the power of UV lamps.

Moreover, traditionally, special filters are installed on the light elements under consideration that protect the structure from all kinds of “failures” that have potentially dangerous consequences for the user. Some modern models include a cooling function to obtain the most comfortable sensations for the face not only during, but also after the tanning procedure itself and exclude the possibility of overheating of the functional elements of the mini-solarium.

The outer side of the "home sun" is usually made of high-strength heat-resistant materials that are not amenable to external influences. The most popular among them is medical acrylic.

However, despite the thoughtfulness of the tanning process on the part of the manufacturer, the user himself must also take care of his safety by using special creams to protect against burns.

To minimize possible risks when taking a "home sunbathing" it is worth following simple recommendations regarding the optimal algorithm for the tanning procedure:

1. First of all, you need to decide on the duration of the procedure. In this matter, you should rely on your skin type.On average, as a rule, it takes no more than 15-20 minutes.
2. Further, it is recommended to prepare the skin of the face and neck, cleaning it with mild makeup remover, and then apply a thin layer of protective agents with UV filters not only to the immediate areas of potential “darkening”, but also to the lips.
3. It is advisable to remove all jewelry (earrings, chains) in order to avoid the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation on the appearance of jewelry.
4. The next step is to install the mini-tanning bed itself at face level so that its light also covers the neckline.
5. Manufacturers of home tanning salons for the face strongly recommend the use of special glasses to reduce possible harm to eye health.
6. Set a timer on the device itself or set an alarm for the required period of time, conveniently sit in front of the screen with UV lamps, close your eyes and try to relax as much as possible.
7. At the end of the procedure, it is important to apply a moisturizing cream generously to the skin with massaging movements.

Observing the simplest recommendations described above for conducting “skin irradiation” sessions, the user of a home tanning bed will be able to avoid the possible negative consequences of operating the “home sun”. The most common negative results include:

• the likelihood of pigmentation, especially during pregnancy and after peeling or mechanical cleaning of the face;
• potential chance of the onset and development of cancer;
• unevenness of the obtained tan (as a rule, the lateral surface of the “irradiated” areas of the skin most clearly demonstrates the difference between the dark side and the white side that was not exposed to the UV device);
• the appearance of wrinkles and a general "wilting" of the skin, due to the rather rough exposure to ultraviolet radiation on it.

In fairness, it is worth emphasizing that, without neglecting the advice of dermatologists, cosmetologists, as well as the direct manufacturers of the “automated sun” model series (for example, Philips, Hapro Summer Glow and so on) described above in the article, it is very likely for a user of a home mini-solarium will be able to know all the charms of this device. The undoubted advantages of such procedures include:

• comfort when sunbathing, being at home, at any time of the year, regardless of the weather;
• the impact on certain areas of the skin (face, neck, décolleté, instead of the whole body), due to the visibility for these exclusively surrounding areas, no matter what kind of clothing the user of the mini solarium is wearing;
• an effective “drying” agent to combat acne, acne, allergic rashes;
• thanks to receiving “sunshine”, the hormone of happiness, endorphin, begins to be actively produced in the body, which can not only raise the mood of the “tanning”, but in some cases also relieve him of depression or spleen;
• regularly “basking” under UV - rays, it is possible to achieve not only a significant strengthening of immunity, but also a sufficient level of production of vitamin D by the body, which is essential for the normal functioning of the whole body;
• for women who periodically use high-quality models of home mini-tanning salons from “trusted brands”, for example, Philips, over time it becomes apparent that there is no need to resort to tonal products, concealers, and so on to mask uneven skin tones. As a rule, it “disappears” due to the achievement of an ideal surface of complexion after passing several courses of “artificial tanning” procedures.

How to choose

So, making sure of the feasibility of acquiring a tanning bed for a person who implies their use at home, it is worth deciding on its type that best meets the formulated needs of the buyer.

So, the folding design of the device, which is a collapsible case mounted on a stand with wheels, is considered the most compact, which means it is best suited for use in a small apartment or other room with the inability to provide large space for its storage and operation.

The one-sided type of mini-tanning beds, which implies the presence of long UV light elements, up to 150 cm long, due to its size and the possibility of transforming the angle of inclination of the panel with lamps, allows you to take sun baths in any position convenient for the user. This option will be ideal for lovers to relax as much as possible in the process of getting a tan, preferring to do this, for example, lying down.

Bilateral home solariums for the face, based on the name, offer the user to “process” a larger area of ​​the skin, having in its design two panels equipped with UV lamps. This option is in greatest demand among buyers who want to have a dark skin tone not only on the face and neck all year round.

In addition to the type of home tanning bed to choose, the buyer should be aware of other basic criteria for the analysis of the range presented by the manufacturers, which are significant when making the final decision on the purchase of a particular model:

• power (the higher this indicator, the less time it will take to achieve a uniform skin tone. The optimal indicator is a power level of 50 watts or more);
• the number and type of built-in UV - lamps (ideal - 12 blue or white-pink lamps);
• an indicator of ergonomics and radius of action (optimally - compact size, the presence of a handle for comfortable transportation, the effective area - from 20 * 20 cm at a distance of 15-20 cm);
• the presence of additional options (automatic shutdown timer, cooling or conditioning function, safety glasses of the basic configuration of the device).

The best models

Among the models with acceptable technical indicators, the most popular are:

Philips HB 172

• Action radius: 25 * 20 cm
• Sunbathing distance: 10 cm
• Number of lamps: 4 pcs.
• Power of a light element: 15 W
• Power Consumption: 75 W
• Weight: 2.2 kg
• Cable length: 1.5m
• Additional options: built-in timer, carrying handle, the presence of 2 pairs of goggles

Hapro Summer Glow HB175

• Action radius: 27 * 21 cm
• Sunbathing distance: 12 cm
• Number of lamps: 4 pcs.
• Power of a light element: 15 W
• Power Consumption: 75 W
• Weight: 2.9 kg
• Additional options: built-in timer, memory settings, carrying handle, the presence of 2 pairs of goggles

Dr.KERN HT 420

• Action radius: 40 * 20 cm
• Distance at tanning: 15 cm
• Number of lamps: 1 pc.
• Power of a light element: 420 W
• Power Consumption: 220 W
• Weight: 6.2 kg
• Additional options: built-in timer, settings memory, carrying handle, safety glasses

Hapro Topaz 10 V

• Action radius: 180 * 80 cm
• Number of lamps: 10 pcs.
• Power of a light element: 100 W
• Power Consumption: 116 W
• Weight: 39.5 kg
• Additional options: built-in timer, memory settings, aroma installation, the presence of goggles, built-in audio system

So, summing up the above information, we can conclude that there are a number of negative consequences of using home tanning salons, both for the skin of the face and for the life of the body as a whole. However, following the simplest recommendations for use and choosing a "home sun", you can enjoy the most even dark shade of the skin at any time of the year without harming your health.

Title	Philips HB 172	Hapro Summer Glow HB175	Dr.KERN HT 420	Hapro Topaz 10 V
Effective area	25 * 20 cm	40 * 20 cm	180 * 80 cm	180 * 80 cm
Number of lamps	4	1	10	10
Lamp power	15 watts	420 watts	100 watts	100 watts
sleep timer	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Max. power consumption	75 watts	75 watts	-	-
Price	from 2400 rub.	from 13000 rub.	from 14800 rub.	from 93000 rub.