See, here’s the thing—bringing anything potentially harmful with you once or twice to a tanning bed may not harm anyone. But making it a constant habit will have serious consequences, especially in the case of mobile phones, as the heat can damage its electronic components.
Can You Bring Your Phone in a Tanning Bed?
Don’t do it; the risks are much greater than any temporary benefits. Why bear the risk of damaging your phones as well as yourselves? I think tanning beds are also a way of self-care, and keeping your electronic devices down and giving time to yourself ain’t a bad thing.
However, if you’re still hell-bent on taking your smartphone, you better avoid doing it often to find a balance between enjoyment and safety, especially during long tanning sessions.
The Consequences
Now, I’m no physicist, so I’ll try to keep it short: Ultraviolet light reaches us in two wavelengths, UVA and UVB.
Every tanning bed uses fluorescent bulbs that emit mostly UVA, with smaller doses of UVB. In addition, tanning beds can reach high temperatures of up to 102 degrees F (39 degrees Celsius).
Such features may cause the phone to overheat and result in radiation damage to the device battery and to people using it.
Safety Precautions To Consider
Let’s say you end up bringing in your phone; then you must consider certain safety precautions to ensure your health and the longevity of your device.
Here are some important tips to keep in mind, even for your health and well-being:
Limit Exposure Time: To protect your skin and eyes, be mindful of your time in bed and avoid extending your session unnecessarily.
Use a Protective Case: A heat-resistant case can help protect your device from damage and provide some level of protection against UV exposure.
Keep Your Phone Away from Direct UV Light: If possible, position your phone so that it’s not directly exposed to the UV lamps.
Avoid Bright Screens: Consider setting your phone to a lower brightness or using it in a mode that reduces glare.
- Wear Safety Equipment: If you know radiation can damage your eyesight and still choose to bring a phone, make sure you wear goggles at least to reduce the chances of any potential damage.
Other Things To Avoid
Mobiles are not the only things you should avoid. Here is a list of some other objects that I would not recommend you take with you in your tanning bed.
Jewelry: Items like rings, bracelets, and necklaces can block UV rays, leading to uneven tanning. Additionally, metal can heat up and can get you burns.
Lotions with SPF: These products are designed to protect your skin from sun exposure and can hinder the tanning process.
Heavy Clothing: These materials can absorb heat and block UV rays, leading to uneven tanning and discomfort in a tanning salon.
Unapproved Tanning Products: Be cautious of using any tanning accelerators or other products that are not specifically designed for use in tanning beds, as they may include harmful components.
Personal Takeaway
In my opinion, I would completely avoid using my phone in a tanning bed. Anything that has health hazards is not worth it. Even if it seems appealing at first.
For anyone else, if not permanent avoidance, ensure you are not making it a habit. Always remember that UV radiation from tanning beds poses a risk to your skin health before it poses a risk to your electronic devices.
Some mere texts are not worth risking long-term health due to radiation emissions from cell phones and tanners.