Why tan indoors?

By tanning indoors you are in a controlled environment where you get a consistent amount of ultraviolet light day in and day out. Exposure times are determined by equipment and trained professionals that take into account previous tanning sessions as well as the tanner’s skin type. In this way your tan gets a chance to develop properly without burning. Many people mix indoor and outdoor tanning – the indoor session gives them the controlled exposure and gets the tan started; they can now go outside, put on sunscreen and enjoy the day, replenishing the sunscreen as necessary. This is the best of both worlds. This is SMART tanning.

IS TANNING LOTION REALLY NECESSARY?

Tanning lotion is a MUST. There are a few reasons why: It’s been said it takes 7 minutes to start tanning without lotion, and it only takes 30 SECONDS to start tanning WITH lotion. If you do not use lotion with each session, you are not getting the Lotions will help your skin absorb uv rays where as dry skin actually reflects uv rays. You’re saving yourself time and money when you use a tanning lotion. Not to mention, you age 5x faster WITHOUT lotion.

Why is lip balm important to use during my tanning session?

The lips are the only exposed area on your body that cannot produce melanin and therefore cannot protect themselves from UV light, and can lead to dry and burnt lips, which is why you should always wear a lip balm with a minimum of an SPF 15 when tanning indoors or out.

Do you need to wear eyewear in the tanning beds?

Not only is it required by the FDA, the importance of wearing protective eyewear can’t be stressed enough. Your eyelids are very thin and cannot protect your eyes from the penetration of UV light. Overexposure to UVB can damage your cornea, while overexposure to UVA will damage your retina.  If you tan without wearing the proper eyewear, your eyes will slowly but surely get permanently damaged in the long run.

Can I use lotion purchased from Amazon?

Professional tanning products are only approved to be sold through professional tanning salons. When purchasing products online, many times the products are counterfeit, contaminated, or expired, making them dangerous to use.

How long will it take to get a tan?

Everyone’s skin is different, and the tanning process occurs at different speeds depending on a person skin type. Those with darker complexions usually tan faster than those with fair skin. The range is about 10-20 consecutive sessions (every other day, and no more than 4 times per week) that will give you a base tan. How long it takes to get a tan also depends on whether or not you use a professional indoor tanning lotion to maximize the tanning results from UV exposure.

Why is it important to build a base tan before Vacation?

Developing a base tan using an indoor tanning bed on a gradual schedule is a good way to create a progressive production of melanin in your skin. Melanin is made in the inner layer of your skin, and is what give your skin a tanned look. Melanin also acts as a filter by absorbing some of the UV light and preventing it from reaching the dermis, where it can cause damage. Building a good base tan before you go on vacation can help prevent burning and longer-term skin damage that may not become apparent until years later.

Why does my tan fade?

Since a tan occurs in the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer, it is eventually lost during the natural exfoliation process. Skin replaces its cells about every 30 days; when the cells in the top layer are exfoliated, allowing new ones to reach the surface, they take with them the darkened melanin created by the exposure to UV light. At this point, you have tanned melanin both in your skin and on the surface of your skin. Tanned melanin on the surface of the skin is going to remain there only until you shave or exfoliate it off. Of course, regular tanning visits rebuild what has been lost.

How long should I wait to shower after tanning?

You should wait at least 3 hours to shower after tanning. After your tan, you want to maintain the moisture in your skin, for as long as you can, as this helps to prolong the life of your tan. Keep in mind, you just came out of a tanning session which took some moisture out of your skin. By using a premium indoor tanning lotion you’re minimizing the moisture being taken out of your skin during your session, and by applying an after tan moisturizer you’re locking in your tan by adding the moisture back into your skin afterwards. If you shower right after your tan, you may dry out your skin even quicker, especially if using harsh exfoliants.

TANNING TIPS

NUMBER 1 RULE FOR TANNING: DO NOT BURN!

You do NOT have to burn in order to start tanning. Burning is painful, damages your skin and dries it out, creating the need to let your skin heal while its flaking and peeling. This pretty much puts you back at square one.

Do not tan too long right away. Start slowly and increase your tanning times gradually. Tanning too much and too often will usually lead to an overexposure rash on your chest, belly, and back. If you develop an itchy rash in these areas cut back on your exposure time.

Your color will continue to darken for a few hours after you are finished tanning. It can take up to 24hours for your skin to completely process the exposure to the UV rays.