A sunbed is a device fitted with UV lamps that mimics the effect of sunlight on your skin, giving you a controlled tan, all from a private room in a salon.
You might also see them called solariums or tanning beds. Same device but different name, a solarium is the common European term, tanning bed is *typically* the American equivalent.
Here is everything you need to know: how they work, what the different types offer, and what to expect from your first session.
What Is a Sunbed?
A sunbed is a UV-emitting device that stimulates your skin’s natural melanin response to produce a cosmetic tan. They come in two main forms: a lay-down bed, where you recline beneath a canopy of lamps, or a stand-up booth, where you step inside an upright enclosure surrounded by lamps on all sides.
Both deliver UV light to the skin in a controlled, timed session, and both are housed in private rooms at a dedicated salon. You book, step in, and the experience is yours alone from arrival to leaving.
How Does a Sunbed Work?
UV Radiation and Melanin
A sunbed produces a tan by exposing your skin to ultraviolet (UV) light. Here is what happens:
- UV light reaches cells called melanocytes deep in the skin.
- Those cells produce a pigment called melanin, the same pigment responsible for your natural skin colour.
- Melanin migrates to the skin surface, producing a darker, deeper tone: your tan.
This is identical to what happens in natural sunlight. The difference is that a sunbed delivers UV in a consistent, timed environment rather than a variable one.
One thing worth knowing: regardless of your natural complexion, you have roughly the same number of melanocyte cells as anyone else. Research consistently shows no meaningful difference in melanocyte count across skin types and ethnicities, what varies is how active those cells are and how much melanin they produce in response to UV exposure.
Source: Skin Pigmentation and its Control, Experimental Dermatology, 2021: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/exd.14260
What's the Difference Between UVA vs UVB?
There are two types of UV light involved in tanning, and they do different things. UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and produces an immediate visible darkening by oxidising existing melanin. UVB works on the outer layers and triggers the production of entirely new melanin, a process called melanogenesis, which produces slower but longer-lasting colour.
Of all the UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface from sunlight, approximately 95% is UVA and 5% is UVB. Modern sunbeds are designed to emit UV across both wavelengths in a similar composition.
Source: Wikipedia atmospheric science; PMC skin pigmentation review, 2021
Importantly, the European Sunlight Association confirms that while a sunbed’s UV composition is similar to sunlight, the exact UVA:UVB ratio varies by lamp type and manufacturer, and remains constant throughout a session. Natural sunlight shifts constantly with the season, latitude and time of day. That consistency is what makes a controlled session more predictable.
Source: European Sunlight Association FAQ
Two additional findings worth knowing:
- Melanin production begins within hours of UVA exposure. A Brown University study published in Current Biology found that skin cells use a light-sensitive receptor to mount a pigment response far sooner than previously understood. (Source: Brown University / Current Biology, 2011).
- UVB-driven tanning produces longer-lasting colour. Research published in Experimental Dermatology confirms that the delayed tanning triggered by UVB is responsible for the colour that builds and holds across multiple sessions. (Source: Experimental Dermatology, 2021)
What Are The Different Types of Sunbeds?
Lay-Down Sunbeds
You recline in a bed with lamps above and below. The canopy closes gently to create even, all-over UV exposure.
Session length is not a fixed number, it is determined by your skin type and set by your tanning consultant before each visit. Beginners start short and build gradually over subsequent sessions.
For many people, the lay-down experience is the draw in itself. It is warm, quiet and genuinely relaxing. If you want to switch off as well as build a tan, this is the format for you.
For a detailed comparison, check out stand up vs lay-down tanning.
Stand-Up Sunbeds (Vertical Booths)
You step inside an upright enclosure and stand surrounded by lamps on all sides. Because you are not in contact with any surface, coverage can be more even, particularly on the sides of the torso and areas that get compressed in a lay-down bed.
Stand-up beds tend to use higher-intensity lamps, which can mean more efficient sessions. A good option if you prefer not to lie down, or want a quicker visit without compromising on results.
Hybrid High-Pressure Facial Systems
Several of our beds, including the megaSun P9 and megaSun 7000 series, feature high-pressure lamp systems built into the facial and shoulder tanning areas. These run within the same session as the standard body lamps.
High-pressure lamps produce a higher proportion of UVA, which delivers deeper, more intense colour in the face and décolleté, with results that tend to last longer between sessions.
This is not a separate bed type; it is integrated technology within our premium lay-down range.
See our full equipment guide of different types of tanning beds.
The SunShine Co. Beds At A Glance
| Sunbed | Format | Key Technology |
|---|---|---|
| megaSun pureEnergy 5.0 | Stand-up Tower | Electronic ballasts; 36% energy saving; colorMotion LED |
| megaSun space 3000 | Stand-up Tower | 46–52 UV tubes; optional VibraNano vibration plate; aquaCool mist |
| iXtreme X3 | Stand-up Booth | 50 or 58 × 200W body lamps; LED light show; 3D sound system |
| megaSun 5600 series | Lay-down | pureSunlight + extraSunlight tubes; pureFacial HP tanners; aquaCool; airCon |
| megaSun 6000 series | Lay-down | smartSunlight 4-spectrum lamps; extraSunlight tubes; X-tra Tan shoulder tanner |
| megaSun 7000 series | Lay-down | smartSunlight + extraSunlight; high-pressure Smart Light Technology (SLT) facial system |
| megaSun P9 series | Lay-down | Porsche-designed; hybrid high-pressure pureFacials; Beauty Boosters; wireless charging; Matrix LED lightshow |
| megaSun K7 series | Lay-down | Bugatti-designed; 46 lamps; SunSphere LED facial and shoulder system; Beauty Booster Pro; AirBreeze ventilation |
You can browse our full equipment range.
What Happens During a Sunbed Session?
Here is exactly what to expect, step by step:
- Booking: Book online, via the app, or walk in. Staff will check your booking on arrival.
- Consultation: For first-time visitors, staff will ask about your skin type to set the right session length.
- Your room: Your sunbed is in a private room. No shared spaces, no queuing beside a machine.
- Preparation: Remove jewellery and apply tanning lotion or accelerator if you are using one. Collect your protective eyewear from reception.
- The session: Lie down and the canopy closes, or step into the booth and the door closes. The lamps activate automatically. Your session length is preset for your skin type.
- End of session: A tone sounds or the lamps switch off. Get dressed in your own time.
- Aftercare: Moisturise. Your tan continues developing over the next 24 to 72 hours.
Please note: Goggles are always required, closing your eyes is not sufficient, as UV light penetrates thin eyelid skin. We provide disposable eye protection at reception.
When Will You See Results?
The 24 to 72 hour Development Window
Your tan does not appear immediately after a session. Here is why:
- UV light triggers melanin production during the session.
- That melanin takes 24 to 72 hours to migrate fully to the skin surface.
- The colour you see develops in the hours and days after your visit, not while you are in the bed.
Do not be disheartened if you leave looking similar to how you arrived. The colour is developing beneath the surface.
Source: Technology Networks, covering Tel Aviv University research.
Why Spacing Sessions Matters
Research from Tel Aviv University, published in Molecular Cell, found that skin cells produce melanin on roughly a 48-hour cycle. Sessions spaced at least 48 hours apart allow the pigmentation response to complete its natural rhythm, producing deeper, more consistent colour than sessions taken too close together would.
Source: Science News / Tel Aviv University
How Many Sessions Do You Need?
The number of sessions needed to build a base tan varies considerably by skin type. Here is a general guide based on the Fitzpatrick Scale:
*Swipe left to view the full table on mobile.
| Fitzpatrick Skin Type | Characteristics | Approximate sessions to notice colour |
|---|---|---|
| Type I | Very fair; always burns, rarely tans | Not recommended for sunbed use |
| Type II | Fair; burns easily, tans slightly | 6 to 10 sessions |
| Type III | Light to medium; sometimes burns, tans gradually | 3 to 5 sessions |
| Type IV | Medium to olive; tans easily, minimal burning | 2 to 4 sessions |
| Type V | Darker skin; rarely burns | 2 to 3 sessions |
| Type VI | Deeply pigmented; almost never burns | 1 to 2 sessions |
These are general estimates. Your actual timeline depends on your tanning history, the bed you use, session frequency, and whether you use a tan accelerator. Your consultant will advise based on your individual skin assessment.
One rule applies to everyone: leave at least 48 hours between sessions.
If you’d like a full guide by skin type, learn more about how many sunbed sessions needed for a tan.
What Makes One Sunbed Better Than Another?
Not all sunbeds deliver the same results, and if you have ever had a disappointing experience at a tanning salon, the equipment is usually why.
Lamp quality is the biggest factor. Sunbed lamps degrade over time, and a well-maintained salon replaces them on a regular schedule. Premium brands like KBL megaSun produce a more stable UV output, which means more even, reliable colour.
Cooling matters more than people expect. Better beds have integrated air conditioning and aquaCool mist systems. You should feel warm during a session, not hot, discomfort is usually a sign of an older or poorly maintained bed.
The room and the team make a real difference too. A private, well-presented room with proper ventilation and a staff member who asks the right questions before your session are what separate a premium salon from a budget booth.
At The Sunshine Co., our equipment is maintained to a consistent standard across every location. That is the point of coming to us.
Find Your Nearest SunShine Co. Salon
The Sunshine Co. has salons across the South East in Essex, Hertfordshire, Greater London, Surrey, Hampshire, Kent and East Sussex.
Every location is fitted with premium KBL megaSun and iXtreme equipment, maintained to a consistent standard and staffed by trained consultants.
Purchase online, through the app, or walk in. If you are new to sunbeds, we will talk you through everything before your first session.
Find a salon near you today.
Behind The Build
Check out the process in how our advanced tanning beds are built. We have more behind the scenes all on our Instagram.
