Although they seem to be evolving, tanning beds are be no means a new technology, but are they a permanent fixture in society for people who want that 'healthy' tanned look? I have become a believer in them over this past year. Prior to April of 2008, I had never used a tannng bed before, but had bashed them regardless. I decided to give them a try to establish a 'base' before going to Miami for a trip in May 2008. I decided to stay in a low level lay-down bed, which I increased my time from 8 to 15 minutes over @ 5 sessions. Although I did not get seriously tanned doing this, I did not burn in Miami and did not experience any peeling for the entire year. Currently I like to use a tanning bed at a level 3 for 15 minutes @ nce every 2 weeks (while living in Chicago) to maintain some color, which seems to allow me to deal better mentally with the winters (which I loathe).