Sun Tanning Bed: Is it a Medical Device?

Is a sun tanning bed to be treated as a medical device?
Description. Sunlamp products are medical devices and electronic products designed to use one or more ultraviolet lamp(s) and are intended for irradiation of any part of the living human body, by ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths in air between 200 and 400 nanometers, to induce skin tanning.
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People who wish to get a sun-kissed tan without spending hours in the sun frequently use sun tanning beds. However, the issue of whether sunbeds could be regarded as medical equipment emerges. An equipment, apparatus, machine, or implant used to identify, treat, or prevent diseases in people is known as a medical device. So, a sunbed qualifies as a medical equipment. Both yes and no are the responses.

When utilized for medicinal purposes, a sunbed might be regarded as a medical equipment. For patients with skin diseases like psoriasis, physicians could recommend light treatment. In these situations, UV radiation from the sun tanning bed is used to assist reduce the symptoms of various skin disorders. Sun tanning beds can therefore be regarded as medical equipment in this perspective.

On the other hand, a sunbed cannot be classified as a medical device if it is utilized for cosmetic reasons. In this instance, a tan is produced on the skin by using a sun tanning bed to improve its appearance. It neither diagnoses nor treats any illness. Sun tanning beds used for cosmetic purposes are not therefore considered medical devices.

Following a client’s visit, there are a few procedures that must be performed while sterilizing a tanning unit. The tanning bed must first be turned off and disconnected from the power supply. The customer must clear the tanning bed of any trash or personal belongings. A disinfectant safe for tanning beds needs to be used to clean the bed. According to the product’s directions, the disinfectant should be kept on the bed for the prescribed amount of time. The bed needs to be cleaned down with a clean cloth to eliminate any leftover disinfectant once the necessary amount of time has passed since the disinfectant was applied.

A relatively recent technique for tanning that is gaining favor is oxygen tanning. In this technique, the tanning bed generates oxygen, which interacts with the skin to produce a tan instead of UV rays. Since oxygen tanning doesn’t include UV radiation, it is thought to be safer than other types of tanning. However, since there is no information on the long-term implications of oxygen tanning, it is best to speak with a dermatologist before choosing this kind of tanning.

In conclusion, if a sunbed is used for therapeutic reasons, it may qualify as a medical equipment. However, it cannot be regarded as a medical device if it is used for cosmetic purposes. It is crucial to adhere to the suggested procedures while sanitizing a tanning unit following a client’s visit to guarantee that the bed is secure for the following customer. Although oxygen tanning is a novel technique that is becoming more popular, there is little information on its long-term implications.

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