Sunlight and warmth have numerous positive effects on human health and comfort. Heat irradiation causes instantaneous vessel expansion. Circulation and therefore oxygen supply are improved. Painful muscle tensions are relieved. Metabolic waste products are broken down more quickly and antigenes for increased production of antibodies are stimulated. In addition to strengthening the immune system, another aim of sensible exposure to the sun is the formation of vitamin D and its accelerated activation. Good blood supply and tanned skin - the cosmetic effect of sunlight in the right dose - form today's beauty ideal and are part of the modern way of life.
 
 
Osram Lamps - the Alternative to Sunlight
 
As sunlight is not always available in the desired dose, Osram offers a broad range of special lamps for different medical and cosmetic applications. The properties of these lamps are based on those of sunlight. The lamps emit their radiation in an accurately defined and controlled manner. This is increasingly important at a time when, depending on climate and wind conditions, the ever-widening ozone hole causes large fluctuations in natural sunlight which are impossible to calculate.
 
The Osram Range of Ultraviolet and Infrared Lamps for Well-Being and Cosmetics

• EVERSUN and ULTRAMED: modern light technology for solariums and sunbeds
• ULTRAVITALUX: the always available sun with the natural spectrum
• DULUX Blue and DULUX Blue UVA: for photo-therapy, dental applications and nail shaping
• SICCATHERM Lamps: for heat and beauty therapy

Biological Effects
 
Ultraviolet radiation has various biological effects on humans. Some of the most important ones are listed below.

• Direct pigmentation
• Long-term pigmentation
• UV erythema (sunburn)
• Conjunctivitis
• Vitamin D formation

The various photo-biological effects on humans depend on the spectral composition and the radiation dose. The threshold values for different radiation effects are given below.
 
The photo-biologically active radiation dose, Hbiol, which just causes a noticeable reaction, is called threshold radiation dose or threshold value, HS,biol. The following values are taken from DIN 5031, Part 10 (2000-03).

• HS,Pigmentation: 100.000 J/m²
• HS, CIE Erythema: 200-450 J/m²
• HS,Conjunctivis: 50 J/m²
• HS,Vitamin formation: < 200 J/m²

Additional regulations exist for maximum permissible radiation doses at the workplace in the UVA range (320-400 nm).
 
The following applies in Germany:
The radiation dose must not exceed 1 J/cm².
H < 1 J/cm² = 1 Ws/cm².
This means that the maximum permissible irradiance at the workplace for exposure times of up to 1000 seconds must be less than 1 mW/cm².
 
For comparison: The irradiance at a maximum sun altitude of 60° is 4 mW/cm² in the UVA range.