Stand-Up Tanning Beds vs. Traditional Tanning Beds

When most people think of a tanning bed, they picture a long shell-style structure that is used for tanning purposes. While the majority of tanning beds are a clam-shell style, there is another type of tanning bed that is slowly gaining preference and popularity: the stand-up tanning bed. Just as the name implies, it's a tanning bed that you actually stand up in. Is a stand-up tanning bed better? In all honesty, that is a hard question to answer and depends on the opinion of the user. However, there are some advantages of which you should be aware.

Advantages of a Stand Up Tanning Bed

The obvious feature of a stand up tanning bed is that the user is able to physically stand up in the tanning process. To some, this can be an advantage. Usually the stand-up styled tanning beds are larger than their horizontal cousin, which offers more freedom to the user. This can be a welcoming feature to those who are claustrophobic by nature, or for those who just don't want to lie down. Some prefer the freedom of the tanning bed because they don't like the "pressure points" created by a traditional bed. This can not only create discomfort for the user, but in some cases may cause physical "creases" in the skin and produce tanning streaks.

Another benefit is that the quality of the tan is more even in a stand up tanning bed. Not only does the natural open-ness of a stand up bed provide a more thorough tan, the lamps used in them combine with a reflector that helps spread the rays more evenly.

Stand up beds also feature stronger bulbs. The standard 100 watt bulb in a traditional bed is dwarfed by the more potent 160 watt bulb used in the stand up version. Not only does this give you a stronger tan, but it can save on time. A typical tanning session in a stand up bed usually lasts no longer than 10 minutes, while traditional sessions can last up to 30 minutes depending on the bed type and quality of bulbs.