Solarium or colarium? Do you know the difference between them?

The tanning bed is a familiar concept for modern women. A slightly younger concept is the colarium. In this article you will learn the basic differences between these two devices, which are increasingly used.

Radiation

The largest source of UV radiation (ultraviolet radiation) is the Sun, from which only about 5-6% of the radiation reaches the Earth. The rest is intercepted by the atmosphere. UV rays form part of the electromagnetic spectrum with a wavelength between 100 nm and 400 nm.

UVA radiation accounts for up to 95% of the total radiation penetrating the Earth throughout the year, regardless of the season or the weather. It penetrates even through clouds. UVB radiation accounts for the remaining 5% of the radiation penetrating the atmosphere and is strongest in the summer months. This radiation is absorbed by clouds and partly by glass. The most dangerous of all is UVC radiation, which is fortunately completely absorbed by the atmosphere.

Measuring UV radiation

The so-called UV-index, or the measurement of UV radiation dose, has become particularly important in recent years. This is due to the increased tendency to be exposed to the effects of sunlight or artificially produced radiation in sunbeds. UV radiation, which is invisible to the naked eye, is measured in watts per m². It consists of a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most dangerous.

For people with fair skin and blonde hair, it is already dangerous at level 4. The need for protective equipment and creams with protective factors is already necessary at level 5. Level 8 is very dangerous and harmful to health.

Negative effect of radiation on the human body

Prolonged or excessive exposure to UV radiation can cause damage to several areas of the body. The skin, eyes and immune system are most often affected. Symptoms are most often seen on the skin, while the eyes and immunity are damaged with prolonged exposure over time, even several years.

Effects on the skin

The simplest form of skin damage is the common sunburn or sunbed burn. It manifests itself in erythema (redness), soreness and local sensitivity. Blistering occurs rarely, for example when falling asleep while sunbathing in the hot summer months.

In some more sensitive individuals, various forms of sun allergy (sunburn) may occur. The milder forms are manifested by local redness of the skin with mild swelling. A small eruption similar to urticaria occurs as in normal allergic reactions. The more severe forms are polymorphic light eruption, actinic prurigo, solar urticaria, chronic or juvenile actinic dermatitis.

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Direct exposure to radiation causes enlargement of the pores. Enlarged pores have a greater tendency to clog, resulting in the appearance of acne. More severe degrees of acne-prone skin leave tiny multiple scars.

Late symptoms include unsightly pigmented patches, which tend to form in damaged areas of the skin due to radiation itself (damage to skin cells and elastic fibres). Darker pigmentation is found, for example, in acne scars.

The destruction of skin cells, elastic fibres and loss of collagen leads to premature ageing of the skin. The skin gradually sags, loses its elasticity and healthy appearance. The first wrinkles begin to form, initially in the eyelid area, which sag and fall.

The most dangerous disease that UV radiation can cause is skin cancer. The most common is malignant melanoma. This is a birthmark that initially changes in size, shape (blurred edges) and colour (darkens). It may itch or swell.

TIP: Beautifully tanned skin and our health

Damage to eyesight

Whether in a tanning bed or in the sun, it is essential to protect your eyesight with good quality sunglasses with a UV filter. This largely prevents the development of cataracts. UV rays also cause retinopathy and degenerative changes in the conjunctiva. These damages cause deterioration or even loss of vision.

Weakening of the immune system

UV rays also have a negative impact on the overall immunity of the body. Staying in the sun for the recommended time has a positive effect on immunity. Prolonged sunbathing and tanning in tanning beds has the opposite effect. It lowers immunity and is thus directly responsible for the frequent recurrence of common diseases, tuberculosis, herpes simplex. It is also the cause of other forms of cancer due to the suppression of overall immunity.

What is a solarium and how does it work?

A sunbed is a tanning device consisting of several tubes that emit UV radiation of type A and, to a lesser extent, type B. The radiation that is considered the least harmful (i.e. UVA radiation or even "black light") is used to a greater extent in sunbeds. It has the longest wavelength of 315-380 nm.

Tanning beds also emit a limited amount of the more harmful UVB radiation. This is largely suppressed by special filters and therefore vitamin D is not synthesised when tanning in tanning beds.

Caution: Some sunbed operators increase the dose of UVB radiation to achieve a longer-lasting tanned appearance of the skin. At the same time, however, health risks increase. Irregularly changed sunbed tubes increase the harmfulness of UV radiation and thus multiply the damage to health.

It is not the type of equipment that is important, but the type, the intensity of the radiation, the maintenance (cleaning) and the regular replacement of the tubes. The tanning beds are mostly 100-watt tubes, sometimes up to 160-watt tubes. Their lifetime is about 600 to 800 hours. As a client, you have the right to know the exact time limit of the tubes' previous use. The more hours of use they have had, the stronger the radiation is and thus the tanning bed becomes more dangerous for you.

Harmfulness of tanning beds on the human body

Tanning beds emit health-threatening UV radiation, which is classified by experts as a confirmed carcinogen. It even belongs to the highest category of carcinogenicity. In terms of danger, it is on a par with, for example, cigarette smoke or dangerous cancer-causing asbestos.

It causes redness and soreness of the skin, which is irritated and more sensitive to mechanical friction and pressure. Prolonged exposure to the radiation results in skin burns. Regular visits to the sunbed damage the skin, destroying collagen and elastic fibres. The skin becomes flabby and wrinkled. Wrinkles appear earlier, the skin looks visibly older. Unsightly pigmented or so-called age spots appear relatively early, affecting mainly parts of the body overexposed to radiation. The face, décolletage and shoulders are the most sensitive.

The most common problems associated with sunbed use are:

• Erythema (redness), soreness
• allergic reaction
• excessive dryness of the skin and scaling
• sunburn
• premature aging of the skin, loss of elasticity, elasticity, wrinkles
• skin cancer, most often malignant melanoma
• enlarged pores and acne
• pigment spots and freckles
• reduced immunity, increased morbidity
• herpes simplex
• visual impairment, blindness
• dilated and cracked small blood vessels

Tanning beds are becoming more and more popular despite the lack of public awareness of their negatives. According to available information, they are mainly visited by young people under 30 years of age. The desire for a beautiful tan is stronger than the awareness of the risks.

However, doctors and experts are still warning, mainly because of the increase in the incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin, mainly among the young population!

The scientific evidence of the link between UV radiation and the development of skin cancer is ample and proven. The risk of developing melanoma of the skin increases when sun exposure is combined with tanning. It is directly responsible for the development of malignant skin tumours in up to 75% of cases.

Collararia and its effects

A relatively newer name is the colarium. One can also hear the so-called "collagen solarium" and this is the principle on which it works. It is a special device very similar in appearance to a solarium. The difference between them lies in the tubes, which are much weaker compared to a solarium.

The colarium is not primarily designed for sunbathing, although this is also possible (half as weak). The sunbathing function can be switched off completely by simply switching off the additional tubes.

It works on the principle of light therapy and focuses on the natural activation and production of collagen. It is especially suitable for clients with excessively dry or aging skin. It is also suitable for faster skin regeneration. It helps to accelerate the healing of minor wounds, acne, eczema. It smooths fine lines and restores lost elasticity and suppleness to the skin.

Before the actual therapy, the patient's skin pigment is measured using a laser. Based on this, the specialist determines the intensity of light that is individually suitable for the particular client.

Effects of colarium on the human body

No harmful effects of colarium on the skin and the human body as a whole have yet been detected or proven. In fact, it is a form of treatment, the so-called collagen therapy, which is suitable even if the skin is damaged by the effects of the sunbed. The formation of collagen benefits not only the skin, but also the connective tissues, muscles, tendons, cartilage and bones. The heat generated during the treatment warms up the muscles and has a positive effect on pain.

Advice and tips before visiting a solarium

Tanning beds have their own specifics and are not suitable for everyone. Only healthy individuals should visit these facilities as recommended and follow all recommendations to minimize the effects of harmful radiation.

Every sunbed should have written information in a prominent place about its risks and how to use it properly. If not, the sunbed worker should inform you of these risks. He or she should also advise you on how many minutes of sunbathing are appropriate for you and which cosmetics to use. He or she should also answer questions truthfully about the technical condition of the machine and the life of the tubes.

For whom is a sunbed completely unsuitable?

Not everyone is a good candidate to visit a tanning bed, at least not on a regular basis. Some individuals are at an increased risk of damage to their health compared to others. In case you find yourself in any of the points described below, you are not a good candidate.

• Albinism
• White skin, light hair - the so-called Celtic type
• white freckled skin, red hair
• presence of multiple birthmarks on the skin, possibly skin cancer or borderline
• hypersensitivity to the sun (allergy), increased reactivity when exposed to sunlight
• concomitant use of certain medications (contraceptives, antidepressants, antibiotics)
• reduced immunity (chronically and during acute illness)
• pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
• young children (age over 25 years is suitable)
• burns or other damage to the skin covering
• fresh tattoos
• eye diseases
• heart and thyroid diseases

What must not be forgotten?

For the health and natural beauty of our skin, we should not even go to tanning beds. However, when we decide to visit these facilities, we should be informed about the possible risks of tanning beds to our health, how to maximise health protection during tanning, the correct way to use them, and the technical condition of the particular facility.

• minimise visits to sunbeds
• do not exceed the recommended time limit for staying in the facility
• start tanning in a solarium with weaker tubes for a maximum of 5 minutes
• observe the time interval between tanning sessions (should be at least 48 hours)
• do not shower before sunbathing
• check how worn the tubes are in the sunbed you are going to
• use good quality creams with sufficient SPF according to the phototype or creams designed specifically for sunbeds
• use UV filter goggles (you can find them in every sunbed)
• do not combine sunbathing and sun exposure (increased risk of skin cancer)

What must not be missed in a solarium?

As UV radiation is a confirmed carcinogen, the requirements for operating a sunbed are more stringent. However, they are not banned and visiting them is voluntary. It is similar to cigarettes. We know they cause cancer, but they are still sold and people buy them. Therefore, it is important to know at least the requirements that a sunbed should meet.

• written or verbal information about the facility
• trained staff to operate the equipment
• ventilation (due to the build-up of harmful ozone while the device is in operation)
• strict requirements for the type, power and maintenance of the tubes (not to exceed the limit of 0.3 Wm²)