Most sunbeds operate at a comfortable ambient temperature of around 26°C to 32°C (78°F to 90°F), thanks to built-in climate control and cooling fans.
While the lamps themselves can feel warm, the heat you feel and the tan you get are actually two completely separate things.
It’s a common assumption that the hotter a sunbed feels, the better the tan, but that’s not quite how it works. Here’s what’s actually going on.
Why Sunbeds Don't Get as Hot as You'd Expect
Modern sunbeds are engineered with cooling systems specifically to keep the bed at a comfortable temperature throughout your session.
Fans circulate air around the lamps, drawing heat away and preventing the bed from overheating, which also helps keep the UV output consistent for the duration of your session.
This is a deliberate design choice. Tanning lamps generate heat as a natural by-product of producing UV light, and without proper cooling, that heat would build up quickly. Climate-controlled beds are designed to manage this so your session stays comfortable from start to finish.
Does Heat Affect Your Tan?
No and this is one of the most common misconceptions about sunbeds. The warmth you feel during a session comes from infrared light given off by the lamps, not from the UV rays that actually cause tanning.
Peer-reviewed research published in Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences confirms that infrared radiation and UV radiation affect the skin in distinctly different ways, UV is what triggers pigmentation and tanning, while infrared’s effects are primarily thermal (heat-related). They are simply two different types of energy, and only the UV plays a role in tanning.
A simple way to picture this: skiers can get sunburnt in the middle of winter, in freezing temperatures, because UV exposure has nothing to do with how hot or cold it feels outside.
Light Sources, a manufacturer of UV lamps used across the tanning industry, confirms this directly, heat and UV light both come from the sun, but only the UV light affects tanning.
In other words, a hotter bed doesn’t mean a better or faster tan. The temperature you feel is simply a side effect of the lamps working, not an indicator of how effective your session is.
Why Overheating Can Work Against You
If anything, getting too hot during a session can work against the result you’re after rather than improve it. Overheating can cause sweating, and sweat sitting on the skin can affect how evenly UV reaches the surface, which may lead to a patchier result.
This is part of why climate control matters so much in modern beds, keeping the temperature consistent and comfortable helps you get a more even result from each session, rather than being a comfort feature alone.
If you’re deciding between bed types, our full stand-up vs lay-down tanning guide covers the practical differences in comfort, coverage and session length to help you choose what suits you best.
How The SunShine Co. Megasun Beds Are Designed for Comfort
Across our salons, our beds are fitted with cooling systems designed to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your session, so you can relax and get the most out of your time on the bed rather than being distracted by the heat.
If you’re curious about the different bed types we offer and how they work, take a look at our guide to UV tanning beds explained, or browse our full equipment range.
Our beds use megaSun equipment, which features built-in climate control and ventilation systems designed specifically to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout your session, confirmed directly by megaSun’s own technology specifications.
It’s also worth thinking about what you wear during your session, as this can affect how you experience the heat as well as your overall result; our guide on what to wear in a tanning bed covers everything you need to know.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature is a sunbed?
Most sunbeds run at a comfortable ambient temperature of around 26°C to 32°C (78°F to 90°F), maintained through built-in cooling fans and climate control systems.
Does a hotter sunbed give you a better tan?
Why do sunbeds feel hot if heat doesn't cause tanning?
Can overheating affect my tan?
Are all sunbeds the same temperature?
Feel The Difference For Yourself
Now that you know the difference between heat and UV, you can relax into your next session knowing exactly what’s going on behind the warmth. The SunShine Co. has comfortable, climate-controlled beds ready whenever you are. Find your nearest salon today.
