Are you planning on getting a tan while catching up on your social media or emails? Well, you might want to think twice before bringing your phone in a tanning bed.
In this article, we will explain why bringing your phone in a tanning bed may not be a good idea and what you can do instead to keep yourself entertained and safe while getting a tan.
What is a Tanning Bed?
Before we dive into the main topic, it’s important we first understand what a tanning bed is and how it works.
A tanning bed is a device that emits UV radiation to produce a tan. It consists of fluorescent bulbs that emit both UVA and UVB rays, which penetrate the skin to stimulate the production of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives the skin its color and provides some protection against UV radiation.
These UV rays along with the heat that comes with them can be problematic for your phone but let’s get into that in more detail below.
Can You Bring Your Phone in a Tanning Bed?
Now, let’s get to the main question: can you bring your phone in a tanning bed? The answer is not a straightforward yes or no. It depends on the type of phone, the type of tanning bed, and the duration of exposure.
UV rays can damage electronic devices, such as smartphones, by overheating, damaging the screen, battery, and camera, and reducing their lifespan. UV rays can cause LCD screens to turn black or lose color, and OLED screens to burn out or develop dead pixels. Therefore, phones with LCD or OLED screens, such as iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, are not suitable for tanning beds.
Moreover, bringing a damaged phone in a tanning bed can pose a risk to your safety, such as fire hazard, electric shock, or injury. Therefore, it is not recommended to bring your phone in a tanning bed, even if it is compatible with UV radiation.
In addition to how tanning beds might damage your phone they can also damage your eyes. Usually, you should protect your eyes with goggles while tanning. Therefore, if you want to use your phone your eyes will be open and therefore are very susceptible to the strong UV rays emitted by the tanning bed.
Really this should be avoided and if you really want to use your phone you should opt to keep the phone checking to only a few moments and not your whole tanning bed session.
What You Can Do Instead to Keep Yourself Entertained and Safe While Getting a Tan
If you want to keep yourself entertained and safe while getting a tan, here are some alternatives to bringing your phone in a tanning bed:
Listen to music with headphones or earbuds like AirPods: This can help you relax and pass the time without exposing your phone to UV radiation.
Meditate or relax: Use the time in the tanning bed to clear your mind, breathe deeply, and visualize positive thoughts.
Use an old-fashioned phone: If you really need to bring a phone in a tanning bed, use an old flip phone or a Nokia phone with an LED screen. These phones are more resistant to UV radiation.
Protect your phone from UV rays: If you must bring your phone in a tanning bed, use a case, a cover, or a towel to protect it from UV rays. Just make sure not to cover the air vents or the camera.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bringing your phone in a tanning bed may not be a good idea due to the potential damage to your phone and the risk to your safety. Instead, use the time in the tanning bed to relax or listen to music.
If you must bring your phone, use an old-fashioned phone or protect it from UV rays, and don’t spend too much time checking it as it makes sure your eyes are protected most of the time. Remember to follow the safety guidelines of using a tanning bed to minimize the risk of skin damage.