“Synthesis in the skin involves UVB radiation which effectively penetrates only the epidermal layers of skin. While 7-Dehydrocholesterol absorbs UV light at wavelengths between 270�??300 nm, optimal synthesis occurs in a narrow band of UVB spectra between 295-300 nm”
Wikipedia knows everything.
[quote]IgneLudo wrote:
“Synthesis in the skin involves UVB radiation which effectively penetrates only the epidermal layers of skin. While 7-Dehydrocholesterol absorbs UV light at wavelengths between 270�??300 nm, optimal synthesis occurs in a narrow band of UVB spectra between 295-300 nm”
Wikipedia knows everything.[/quote]
Thanks. Also from Wiki:
Exposure to UVB[23] light in the 295 nm to 297 nm spectra (regardless of source) leads to production of vitamin D in the skin. Vitamin D is important for a number of human functions, including the maintenance of normal blood levels of phosphorus and calcium and the promotion of healthy bones. Studies have shown that many people don’t get enough of the vitamin, which may even aid in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, and HIV.[24] However, because tanning beds use bulbs that emit mostly UVA light (95% UVA and 5% UVB), tanning beds do not appreciably help the body produce vitamin D.
Not every bulb is rated at 5%.
only on this site would this topic, either tanning of the absorption of vitamin D become a subject for debate.
I didn’t know that about the bulbs in tanning beds though, so that was new.
Im so white that I get sunburned from a florescent bulb.
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
IgneLudo wrote:
“Synthesis in the skin involves UVB radiation which effectively penetrates only the epidermal layers of skin. While 7-Dehydrocholesterol absorbs UV light at wavelengths between 270�??300 nm, optimal synthesis occurs in a narrow band of UVB spectra between 295-300 nm”
Wikipedia knows everything.
Thanks. Also from Wiki:
Exposure to UVB[23] light in the 295 nm to 297 nm spectra (regardless of source) leads to production of vitamin D in the skin. Vitamin D is important for a number of human functions, including the maintenance of normal blood levels of phosphorus and calcium and the promotion of healthy bones. Studies have shown that many people don’t get enough of the vitamin, which may even aid in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, and HIV.[24] However, because tanning beds use bulbs that emit mostly UVA light (95% UVA and 5% UVB), tanning beds do not appreciably help the body produce vitamin D.
[/quote]
That seems like Wikipedian speculation based on the relative percentage of UVA to UVB. Did you actually look at the ratio of UVA to UVB rays in natural sunlight? My google search turns up only a few articles that suggest the ratio in sunlight is 10:1 to 100:1 in favor of UVA, so tanning beds will produce MORE vitamin D than the same amount of time in sunlight because they produce so much more UV radiation.
Unforunately, wikipedia is written by volunteers who just throw random shit in. Everything on there should be taken with a grain of salt, especially what may be considered “commentary” that ensconces the actual factual knowledge presented in any article.
I tan a couple of times a week in the winter months for a couple reasons. One, I just feel like I look better with a decent tan. Second, it significantly improves the quality of my skin (less breakouts and seems to reduce the over-oilyness of my skin). And in the winter months up here in Michigan, I swear to Christ we never see the sun and it just makes me feel better to be in a “sun-like” warm enviornment for 10 minutes or so. I’m not even gonna try to say that I think it’s good for you, but those are my reasons.
[quote]Scrotus wrote:
Im so white that I get sunburned from a florescent bulb.[/quote]
Seconded. It often wonder why my body, an amazing, adaptable, growing, living machine is covered in a flimsy membrane that can be painfully killed and irreversibly mutated by going outside for a half hour on a non-overcast day.
Coming from possibly the most sunburnt country on the face of the planet (thanks mainly to the fact we’re mostly caucasian and have a nice big ozone hole nearby), I can say with some authority tanning is NOT something that white people want to spend their days doing.
As any aussie here can attest, if you take a look at our grandparents, they have skin that looks like leather. And thats not just the ones that were surfers like my grandpa. Hell, i just got burnt at lunch in 30 mins, and its the middle of Autumn.
Skin cancer is extremely common, and anyone over 40 has probably some run in with it.
The use of tanning beds in colder climates kinda makes sense, and I can imagine why one would want the ‘healthy glow’.
I tan a couple of times a week also. I am not Gay. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) I’ve tanned my whole life, I don’t burn very easily and when I do, it is gone the next day. I enjoy being tan. Its something I do to look and feel better. If you choose not to, that is fine too.
Zonker Harris rules! (Several time winner of the George Hamilton open and a fine judge of margaritas.)
I go tanning before a vacation because I like to sit by the pool and drink…a lot. Then I can pass out and not worry about spontaneously combusting.
As to whether it’s gay or not, I would say that if you’re going tanning because you want to attract dudes, then it is gay. Unless, of course, you’re a female.