Tanning beds and booths are only as good as the bulbs within them. All salons, or home owners, therefore inevitably find the need to purchase tanning bulbs at some point. Today, there are many types of bulbs available on the market. There are also varied ways to shop for your bulbs.
The first step is to determine the appropriate wattage bulbs for your particular bed or booth. Some equipment requires a given wattage. If so, you must ensure you buy the applicable bulbs. Ordinarily, such instructions are very clear within the owner's manuals. However, if you have any doubts it is best to confirm with the manufacturer prior to your bulb purchase.
The next decision is whether to buy bulbs with built in reflectors. These reflectors multiply the power of the bulb. Consequently, a 160 watt bulb without a reflector could be less powerful than a 100 watt bulb with built in reflectors. Again, it is imperative to ensure that your piece of equipment is compatible with built in reflector bulbs prior to making your purchase.
The next step is the easiest. You probably already know how many bulbs your bed contains. Or, alternatively, how many need replacement. Obviously, you must determine how many bulbs you need prior to entering your order. One thing to consider is buying a few extra to avoid downtime should one unexpectedly burn out. To a salon, a machine not in service represents immediate lost income.
Once you have determined how many bulbs you need, the appropriate wattage for your equipment, and whether you desire built in reflectors, the next step is to decide how to go about your purchase. As with most products, today it is possible to obtain your tanning bulbs without ever leaving the comfort of your salon or home.
One can find online many sites which review various brands of bulbs as well as merchants who sell them. As always, a bit of initial research can prevent a buying mistake. Make sure the brand you select is reputable and that the selling merchant is reliable. Many used or secondhand opportunities exist online, but one should proceed with extreme caution when considering the purchase of used bulbs. Caveat Emptor.
If you are a salon owner and have immediate need, sometimes overnight is not fast enough. For these instances, there exists salon supply shops where you can shop the old fashioned way. Odds are one is within reasonable distance if you are located in a major metropolitan area. If you are in a remote location this might not be an option.
If you want to keep that tan, or keep your salon operating, sooner or later you will have to purchase tanning bulbs. Before the need actually arises, do some basic research on which bulbs are best for you. Having a few spare bulbs on hand isn't a bad idea as well. Follow these simple tips and be a smart, as well as tan, consumer.
