F/FR: Prefixes for lamp identification; denotes ‘low pressure’ (fluorescent)

Ex:	F71T12/100W/BP = 71” fluorescent 100W Bi-pin sunlamp
	FR71T12/100W/BP = 71” fluorescent 100W Bi-pin reflector sunlamp

HO: High Output – 80 to 120 watt low pressure sunlamps

VHO: Very High Output – 140 to 200+ watts 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 400 nm.

• UVC, 200 – 280nm. Powerful; not for tanning, but germicidal uses, etc.

• UVB, 280 – 320nm. For melanin production; primary agent for erythema

• UVA2, 320 – 340nm. Melanin production, some erythema and pigment darkening, closely associated with elastosis (phot-aging, or wrinkles)

• UVA1. 340 – 400nm. Oxidize (tan) melanin on and beneath the skin surface
  

UVB%: Not “what % of the lamp’s output is in the UVB spectrum”, but is the ratio of UVB to UVA; a common method of ‘rating’ sunlamps and tells you little or nothing about the life or performance of the lamp

Vitamin D: The CDC reports that 60 percent of Americans are Vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D plays an important role in keeping us healthy. It takes as little as five minutes in a sun bed to get the amount of Vitamin D recommended by medical experts. All Wolff System lamps provide adequate UVB to aid in the production of Vitamin D, and optimization of this effect is under study.

MED/MMD: Minimal Erythemal Dose and Minimal Melanogenic Dose. 1 MED is the least amount of UV exposure that results in pigmentation without sunburn. 1MMD = minimal dose required to produce a noticeable tan

TE: Refers to the approximate time to 4 MED’s in a typical sunbed.

TM: Represents time for melanogenesis in a typical sunbed

SPF: Sun Protection Factor – standard means of expressing a sunscreen’s effectiveness in protecting the skin from burning. Our un-tanned skin = SPF of 1. A tan increases resistance to further UV radiation and increases our personal SPF much like externally-applied sunscreen

If you have questions, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us at 800-959-6533.