A tanning lamp could be a single lamp, like a lamp you use to cast light in a room that emits UV light. A tanning lamp is also considered to be a tanning lamp bulb, which is used in tanning beds, booths, etc. For reference, a tanning lamp is the lamp bulb used that emits UV light. The UV light is created inside the lamp and is used to evoke the melanin production in melanocyte cells. It takes only five minutes under a tanning lamp to create the same effect as two hours in the sun. This is why tanning lamps in tanning beds are so popular. More info at http://bloomofbeauty.com/a-glimpse-at-tanning-bed-bulbs/.