Can I use a tanning bed instead of light therapy to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? Don't use tanning beds to treat SAD.
Because SAD appears to be connected to light, there is a myth that tanning is a treatment. In fact, it is not recommended at all.
Many people use tanning beds to achieve a bronzed look, especially during the winter months or before a vacation. However, tanning beds are not a safe way to get a tan. They expose your skin to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause serious health problems, such as skin cancer, eye damage, and prema.
Exposure to sunlight has been linked to improve your energy and elevate your mood! Light actually boosts your serotonin levels, which is the happy hormone. When you've had a bad week, spending 10 to 15 minutes in a sunbed can help more than just your tan – it's the endorphins you get that make you feel better!
Several health benefit claims such as improved appearance, enhanced mood, and increased vitamin D levels have been attributed to tanning. Furthermore, the Indoor Tanning Association claims that “catching some rays may lengthen your life” [5].
Getting enough vitamin D from tanning beds isn't possible.
The bulbs used in tanning beds emit mostly UVA light; however, your body needs UVB light to make vitamin D. To get vitamin D safely, board-certified dermatologists recommend that healthy adults get vitamin D from their diet.
“When someone is feeling down during the winter, I recommend making it a priority to get outside for some sunlight, even if it's just for a short walk,” Lebrun says. “A 10- to 30-minute walk can make a noticeable difference.”
After putting in 33 hours of research—including reading two books and five comprehensive studies on the subject and interviewing one of the scientists who discovered seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—we've concluded that the Carex Day-Light Classic Plus is the best light therapy lamp to treat SAD symptoms.
Tanning devices emit UV light in a controlled environment, delivering the same benefits as the sun. As a result, leading to an increase in serotonin — a hormone that is responsible for regulating your mood, appetite and sleep — helps stave off SAD.
Like UV irradiation, which generates vitamin D(3) in the skin, the hormonally active metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), boosts innate immunity against viruses and bacteria. Epidemiologic studies have found high vitamin D levels to be associated with lower risk of infections of the upper respiratory tract (colds).
You can use a disposable paper face mask or a reusable cloth face mask to cover your face while tanning. Make sure whatever you're using is clean and free of any makeup or oils, as these can create a barrier between your skin and the UV rays.
Our vitamin D levels can become depleted in winter due to limited sunlight. Vitamin D is important for calcium and phosphorus absorption in the body, staving off osteoporosis and other ailments. Tanning beds may contribute towards getting this essential hit of vitamin D that you need to stay healthy.
Mood-Enhancing Endorphins
Sun exposure triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that promote feelings of happiness and reduce stress.
Indoor tanning was associated with a decrease in negative mood states but also a decrease in feeling interested. Additionally, changes in mood were associated with symptoms of illicit drug use and generalized anxiety disorder.
Plummeting temperatures and high winds that often accompany winter storms allow frostbite and hypothermia to set in quickly if you are outside. Also, road conditions will likely be very treacherous, especially if you live in rural areas.
Don't use tanning beds to treat SAD. Tanning beds do generate enough light, but they can cause other harm.
Light therapy and vitamin D are treatments for winter-pattern SAD, whereas psychotherapy and antidepressants are used to treat depression in general, including winter- and summer-pattern SAD. There are no treatments specific to summer-pattern SAD.
The most common period for the onset of a SAD episode is late October through November. January and February are the worst months overall, and the symptoms don't fully subside until early May.
Both UVA and UVB have health benefits, and man has evolved to take advantage of both. Examples to follow. Active Sun Exposure: Lower Risk of Venous Thrombotic Events (Blood Clots)? summer, on winter vacations, or when abroad, or used a tanning bed, were at 30% lower risk of VTE than those who did not.
Avoid using harsh or fragranced products immediately after tanning, as they may further irritate the skin.
Indoor tanning speeds up skin aging
Indoor tanning is known to cause wrinkles, brown spots and thick leathery skin. Indoor tanning ages your skin 3 times faster than sunlight: indoor tanning can emit up to 15 times more UV radiation than sunlight.