Ultra Violet

The term ‘Ultra Violet’ refers to some of the wavelengths given off from the sun. Ultra-Violet wavelengths are invisible to the naked eye and are the rays recognised for creating a suntan.

Ultra-Violet is broken down into three areas each having quite a separate effect. These are referred to as: UVA, UVB, UVC.

UVA – These rays expand the pigment (known as Melanin) that already exists in the skin. This causes a short term tan and will only produce a slightly darker colour of the Melanin already present in your skin. UVA will cause premature ageing used over a period of time as it causes deterioration in the condition of the elastin and collagen fibres that make your skin supple and firm. They may also contribute towards the risk of skin cancers.

UVB – These rays also act on the pigment in the skin. However, UVB will stimulate new production of Melanin thus causing a longer lasting and deeper tan than UVA. This is undesirable as this creates a thickening of the surface of the skin. Overexposure to UVB will cause sunburn and it is the part of Ultra-Violet responsible for causing skin cancers.

UVC – The atmosphere absorbs these rays therefore they do not reach the Earth.

These rays are created in certain equipment for the purpose of dis-infection. All equipment designed to ‘tan’ the skin will produce UVA or UVB. Some will produce UVA with a little UVB.

There are health warnings concerning the exposure to Ultra Violet light. Sun protection factors creams should be used in all instances and time of exposure should be restricted. Whilst it is recognised that controlled use of Ultra Violet rays within the medical field are successful in improving skin conditions such as Psoriasis, the damaging effects of Ultra Violet rays will not disappear. It is a fact of life that Ultra Violet rays are responsible for premature ageing of the skin and one of the main causes of skin cancers.

For those who want a sun kissed body, the healthy alternative is a cosmetically applied tan.

These treatments are widely available in Beauty Salons and are very effective.

Exposure to Ultra Violet rays should be minimal. It is now recommended to use sun protection factor creams and sun blocks. Many cosmetics including moisturisers and foundations are now incorporating sun factors for this reason.

If you do use a sun bed then ensure you are fully aware of the treatment requirements and precautions, use the goggles provided to cover your eyes and resist the temptation to have treatments too often.

Sun Beds

A sun bed is a very popular item found in many salons, leisure centres and Health farms today. There are many health warnings concerning the effects of Ultra Violet Light on the skin, yet there is still a demand for a tanned skin. Fake tanning cosmetics are more popular than ever before due to this and treatments are offered at many salons.

Sun beds are available in a variety of different shapes and sizes. A sun bed consists of a bed that is contoured to ensure even tanning on all sides of the body. The bed normally has an overhead canopy to eliminate the need for the client to turn over thus reducing treatment time.

More widely available now are vertical tanning beds. These ask the client to stand for the treatment whilst the sun bed surrounds the body on all sides (almost like a room). This avoids contact of the skin with the sun bed which tends to cause perspiration. This is generally felt to be more hygienic.

Many sun beds emit Ultra Violet A rays (UVA). These rays expand the pigment (Melanin) already in the skin therefore producing a short-term tan.

However these rays will damage the collagen and elastic of the skin and can contribute towards the formation of skin cancers.

A longer lasting tan will be produced with UVB rays. These rays stimulate the pigment (Melanin) in the skin to increase in production. However these rays will also cause thickening of the skins surface layers and is known to cause sunburn and skin cancers. For these reasons most sun beds only emit UVA rays.

There are a number of sun beds which emit both UVA and a small amount of UVB rays. These tend to produce a faster result requiring a shorter treatment time.

With any sun bed treatment a consultation should be carried out prior to treatment.

In leisure clubs there is often a list of precautions on the wall detailing the conditions that should not receive sun bed treatments, this should be read and taken notice of by the client.

Steam Room

These are sometimes referred to as a Turkish bath. Like saunas they were used years ago, firstly by the Turks and Romans. Originally referred to as Roman baths, they were found in large rooms that held a number of baths varying in temperature. Here people met socially, rather like the sauna in Finland.

Nowadays you will find either a steam room or steam bath. The room like a sauna will hold a number of people depending on its size; the Steam bath is an individual treatment. The heat of a steam bath is wet as opposed to the dryness of the sauna. The humidity of a steam bath is high; therefore the perspiration excreted by the bather will trickle down the body rather than evaporate off as in the sauna. As the sauna these treatments operate at a fairly high temperature rest must be taken afterwards to help the body temperature return to normal.

Sauna

The Finnish have been taking Saunas for generations; they feel there is something magical about Saunas and regard then a part of everyday life. Saunas have changed considerably over the years. In Finland originally, it was a modest burrow in the earth, a dugout, in which a pile of stones heated for the bathing process was the essential feature. Water was thrown onto the stones to give off vapour and the bather would promote the sweating process by beating himself with a leafy whisk.

In Finland, Saunas are found both indoors and outdoors by the sides of lakes, enabling cool dips to be taken between sessions.

The modern Sauna resembles a wooded cabin that varies in size. It is made from pine logs or panels and insulating materials. A Sauna creates a dry heat by the use of an electric stove. As the body temperature increases the bather will perspire. As the air is dry in the sauna it tends to dry the perspiration on the skin quickly creating a cooling effect. The humidity (moisture in the air) is low in a Sauna. To increase this water is poured periodically on the hot coals that sit over the stove. The water will evaporate quickly creating steam; this will make the Sauna feel hotter for a short time.

To use a sauna it is recommended that one spends a maximum of ten minutes in the sauna after, which a cool shower and swim if available would be taken. The bather may then return to the sauna approximately twice more after which one should relax and drink plenty of fluids.

Once rested and the temperature of the body has returned to normal the bather can dress. It is advisable to sit on a towel that you take into the sauna.

Infra Red

These are rays produced as part of the visible light that is given off by the sun. Infra red heat lamps have been used for their therapeutic effects for many years and may have several methods of application.

Used for warming the tissues prior to a treatment they create a soothing warmth enjoyed by many clients. In addition to this Infra-red may be used to retain heat in products applied to the face or body or as a compliment to massage helping promote relaxation and reduce muscle fatigue.