By Steve Schlitt, Head Engineer, Cosmedico

A low-pressure tanning lamp is essentially a special class of fluorescent lamp. A fluorescent lamp is a practical example of what is scientifically referred to as a “rare gas mercury arc discharge device.” Setting aside for a moment this scientific description, the same principles of operation apply to tanning lamps as to fluorescent lamps. And likewise, the design and construction is similar. The main difference between sunlamps and general lighting fluorescent lamps is in the phosphors used and the special design and manufacturing controls that are applied for ultraviolet tanning lamps. Phosphors are the special powder coatings that are applied to the inside of the lamp tube and it is the phosphors that create the ultraviolet light that is emitted by sunlamps.

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