Tanning beds have become extremely popular as a way of achieving an all year round golden glow. As frequent trips to the tanning salon can add up financially, many tanning enthusiasts are now choosing to purchase home tanning beds for the sake of saving money and for convenience. Modern home tanning beds have been designed to be very low maintenance, but nevertheless do require a little upkeep. Perhaps the most important factor in looking after your tanning bed is regularly changing the bulbs.

Tanning bed bulbs do not require changing very often. Depending how frequently you use your home tanning bed it will range between three and five years. However, when the bulbs are due to be changed it can be a fairly big expense as you should change all the bulbs at the same time. If you do not replace all the bulbs simultaneously you may be receiving an uneven exposure to UV rays while tanning, resulting in an unequal tan. If some bulbs are working more efficiently than others it can also be more difficult to judge how long you should limit your tanning session to.

It is important to replace the bulbs with a brand and type which is recognised by the manufacturer of your tanning bed as being suitable for your make and model. Not all tanning bed bulbs are the same, and selecting the wrong type can be detrimental to the effectiveness of the bed. You also run the risk of increasing the likelihood of you burning, as some bulbs are more powerful than others. If you are unsure of which bulbs are suitable for your tanning bed consult your user manual. Or, if you have not retained your user manual you can also call the manufacturer to check, or visit a tanning bed retail outlet for advice. A third option is to buy online as many websites list the different makes and models of tanning beds their bulbs are compatible with.

Buying online can also save you money. Buying spare bulbs direct from the manufacturer is usually the most expensive option, with buying from local retail outlets being generally a bit cheaper. However, the most cost effective place to buy tanning bed bulbs is from an online wholesaler. Because wholesalers buy their stock in bulk they receive a large discount and can pass the savings onto the customer. While buying online may not be as convenient as walking into a shop, you will usually receive your order within five working days.