Knowing Your Tanning Bed’s Facial Filters

Many quality tanning beds come equipped with high-pressure facial tanning bulbs, generally 5-8 inches in length, which perform at a much greater strength than your long tanning lamps. For some perspective, facial tanning bulbs typically run at 400, 500, even up to 1000 watts, compared to bench and canopy lamps at 80-200 watts. Because of this, facial bulbs require a glass filter that provides extra precaution for our face’s delicate skin.

The type of filter glass that goes into your tanning bed depends on the bed’s level and max session time. Filters vary in UV transmission and absorption rate, as well as its color, from clear to dark blue or purple.

Understanding the different filters on your tanning beds will help you properly place customers in one that best suits their skin type as well their tanning goals. In any Luxura tanning bed with a facial tanning system, one of the following glass filters will be inserted to create your ideal unit.

SPS Filter (Standard Power System, blue filter) – The SPS filter allows for UVA rays to come through while completely blocking UVB rays, making it exceptional for direct and deep pigmentation. SPS (blue filter glass) is generally intended for lower level beds because longer session times require less intensity. Just as its nickname suggests, the filter is dark blue in color.

BPS Filter (Balanced Power System) – This mirrored filter glass was developed to acquire a perfect balance of UVA and UVB. BPS also exposes the skin to some infrared for skin stimulation and a pleasant warming sensation, which helps provide results that can be instantly visual in the mirror.

HPS Filter (High Power System) – The HPS filter guarantees intense tanning performance, creating the most effective blend of UVA – UVB and infrared. The solid combination produces immediate results of a perfect deep tan. The HPS filter is more common on upper level beds with an overall stronger tanning power.

The skin on our face is highly sensitive and the most frequently observed area on our body; which is why it’s important to know exactly what your customer’s faces are being exposed to in your beds. Customers have the option to adjust or turn off their facial tanners if they prefer not to use it. Glass filters should be cleaned regularly and replaced immediately if cracked, scratched or otherwise damaged.

Contact ProSun for more information on UV tanning and glass filters for your beds!