While the primary reason for both Americans and Europeans to use a tanning bed is cosmetic, there are many other reasons why they are used. It is common for people to tan simply because it makes them feel good. Also, most tanning beds generate a large amount of heat, including infrared, which has deep penetrating action that can relieve minor muscle aches.
While most dermatologists dishearten the use of tanning beds, many are now prescribing high UVB tanning devices for various skin diseases. Some people with psoriasis or eczema are treat with UVB light therapy (known as PUVA, for Psoralens and UVA radiation) to lessen the symptom. This is naturally in the 310 nm to 315 nm portion of the UVB spectrum. Nearly all fluorescent tanning lamps have one spectral peak within this region of the UVB spectrum, making them an effectual tool in mild to moderate cases. In some circumstances, salon memberships have been prescribed and more hardly ever the purchase of home tanning beds has been prescribed by doctors and may be covered by insurance policies. Tanning may temporarily help some forms of acne by drying out the skin, but it is not a solution that lasts for very long.
Further, most prescription or over the counter acne medications (e.g. Accutane, Benzoyl Peroxide, Retin-A) ought to not be used in mixture with ultraviolet experience or the user may experience negative side effects from burning to delayed healing due to photosensitivity that these drugs (and many others) can generate.
Exposure to UVB light in the 295 nm to 297 nm spectra (regardless of source) leads to production of vitamin D in the skin. Vitamin D is important for a number of human functions, including the maintenance of normal blood levels of phosphorus and calcium and the promotion of healthy bones. Studies have shown that many people don't get enough of the vitamin, which may even aid in the avoidance of cancer, diabetes, and HIV. However, because tanning beds use bulbs that emit frequently UVA light (95% UVA and 5% UVB), tanning beds do not noticeably help the body produce vitamin D.
Tanning makes most people feel good. To appreciate how this happens, researchers set out to determine if endorphin levels were enlarged after tanning. They completed that there were no significant differences in the mean plasma levels of β-endorphin between people who were exposed to tanning beds and those who were not. The positive psychological payback of tanning may be due to factors other than endorphins.
It is supposed that indoor tanning beds are helpful for the treatment of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), though this is disputed at present. It is plausible that the advantage that many SAD patients experience are more due to tanning causing them to feel good in general, rather than treat the SAD itself.