The following are some common terms relating to UV light and sunlamp characteristics.
BP (Bi-pin): The two metal prongs extending from the lamp’s end.
RDC (Recessed Double Contact): This lamp type has black end-caps; most common lengths are F72 and F73.
T12: T = diameter of the glass in 1/8-inch increments. 12 x 1/8 = 1.5” diameter
W (Watt): A measure of power consumption and heat, not necessarily output.
F/FR Prefixes for lamp I.D.: denotes “low-pressure” (fluorescent). Example: F71T12/100W/BP = 71” fluorescent 100W Bi-pin sunlamp; FR71T12/100W/BP = 71” fluorescent 100W Bi-pin reflector sunlamp
HO (High Output): 80-120W low-pressure sunlamps
VHO (Very High Output): 140-200+W low-pressure sunlamps
HP (High-Pressure): Consisting of metal halide lamps; small quartz lamps with very intense ultraviolet output
nm: Light is measured in nanometers, the length of the wave form at a given point.
UV (Ultraviolet light): Invisible to the human eye; light waves below 400nm.
UVC (200-280nm): Powerful; not for tanning, but for germicidal uses, etc.
UVB (280-320nm): For melanin production; primary agent for erythema
UVA2 (320-340nm): Stimulates melanin, some erythema and pigment darkening, closely associated with elastosis (photo-aging, or wrinkles)
UVA1 (340-400nm): Oxidizes (tans) melanin cells on and beneath the skin surface.
UVB%: Not “the percentage of the lamp’s output that is in the UVB spectrum,” but the ratio of UVB to UVA; a common method of “rating” sunlamps that tells you little or nothing about the life or performance of the lamp.
MED/MMD: Minimal Erythemal Dose and Minimal Melanogenic Dose. One (1) MED is the least amount of UV exposure that results in skin pigmentation without sunburn. One MMD = minimal dose required to produce a noticeable tan.
TE: Refers to the approximate time for a typical sunbed to emit four (4) MED
TM: Represents time for melanogenesis to occur in a typical sunbed
SPF: (Sun Protection Factor) This is the standard means of expressing a sunscreen’s effectiveness in protecting the skin from burning. Our un-tanned skin has an SPF of 1. A tan increases resistance to further UV radiation and increases our personal SPF much like externally-applied sunscreen.
has been with Wolff System since 1998. Her duties include training salon professionals on sunlamp products. She specializes in breaking down technical info into layman terms, so her lamp training is both informative and FUN! Questions or comments? Email sales@wolffsys.com or call 800.959.6533, X112.
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