Vitamin D and Indoor Tanning

Dr. Holick, Vitamin D

Exposure to UVB promotes the production of vitamin D; in Micheal Holick's new book, "The UV Advantage", he promotes the idea of moderate UVB exposure. That is, enough UVB exposure to achieve our recommended daily dose of vitamin D. This exposure may come from natural sunlight or from indoor tanning beds at an indoor tanning salon.

While Micheal Holick isn't an advocate for indoor tanning, he does admit sunbeds can provide a viable alternative to natural sunlight. However, because it's the UVB exposure that's required to promote vitamin D production, high pressure (UVA only) beds will not work. Instead low-pressure beds which use bronzing tanning bed bulbs are required. These bulbs best mimic natural sunlight, with a UVA to UVB ratio in the range of 97-94% UVA to 3-6% UVB.

The benefit to indoor tanning is it provides a controlled and private environment, the customer can visit at any time of the day, and a speedy 10 to 25 minute visit is all that's needed. Tanning salons are particularly useful for receiving moderate UVB exposure during the winter months, when it's more difficult to receive such exposure from sunlight.