Tanning FAQ

Light is essential to all life on earth. There are various physiological and psychological reasons why exposure to light is desirable and necessary. There’s a growing body of scientific evidence showing people actually require light exposure to function effectively. Light exposure causes the brain to suppress the release of the hormone melatonin that acts as a depressant in the body and exposure to light produces various health benefits, such as the production of the very necesssary Vitamin D3 in the prevention of bone diseases (such as osteoporosis) and in the improvement of symptoms of psoriasis.

People who are exposed to longer hours of bright light feel happier and are able to enjoy life. Potential health benefits include but are not limited to: production of Vitamin D, decreased risks of breast and colon cancer, and reduced risk of sunburn. The psychological benefits of tanning are also well researched. Sunlight deprivation has been linked to some mental disorders. There are numerous reasons, physical and psychological, why exposure to ultraviolet light is desirable. FDA regulations at the present time prevent the indoor tanning industry from making any medical representations or claims related to indoor tanning exposure. And of course, people know that a great tan looks good, feels good, and can add to personal confidence and attractiveness

Smart Tanning
Indoor tanning eliminates the “guesswork” of tanning outdoors and is easy, convenient and private. Ideally, indoor tanning is supervised by a trained professional helping you achieve the desired color you want, reminding you to wear protective eyewear (goggles), encouraging and recommending lotions before and after tanning and helping you avoid over-exposure. And hint, hint: according to poll most tanners tan in the nude to avoid tan lines!

Your skin produces a tan the same way in an indoor tanning salon as it does when you lay out in the sun: through ultraviolet (UV) light. However, out in the sun, you cannot control the amount of UV light exposure and trying to achieve an all-over even-body tan is very difficult. Indoor tanning allows you to control the amount of UV light, for all all-over even tan. With indoor tanning you can gradually increase your exposure time eliminating any sunburn, which is harmful to the skin.

• Indoor tanning technology includes an exposure schedule that factors in individual skin type and appropriate time exposure.
• With convenient indoor tanning you can tan at any time and aren’t limited to daylight hours or weather conditions.
• With private indoor tanning you can tan in the nude or partially nude to eliminate tan lines.
• You can help ensure that you won’t get a sunburn when following an appropriate time exposure.
• Outdoor sun exposure is an uncontrollable environment as no one can control the sun.
• Outdoor exposure varies in intensity depending on such factors as altitude, cloud cover, air pollutants, reflective surfaces, times of day, time of year, and proximity to the equator.

The controlled environment and the ability to time your UV exposure to the minute makes burning less likely with a tanning bed than with outdoor sun exposure

Tanning beds and booths act like the sun. The sun emits three kinds of UV rays that make you tan. UV-C, the shortest wavelength of the three is the most harmful. Today’s sophisticated tanning lamps filter out this type of UV light. UV-B, the middle wavelength, begins the tanning process, by stimulating the melanocyte cells that produce melanin, however overexposure can cause sunburn. Melanin will be bronzed by UV-A, the longest wavelength, by oxidizing the melanin and producing the tan. Technologically advanced tanning lamps use the best ratio of UV-B and UV-A light to provide the greatest tanning results, with a lowered risk of overexposure.

It may be easier to get the desired color by tanning indoors. Begin with a short exposure time and increase it very gradually. A tanning professional can help you determine the best exposure time for your skin type. However, if you NEVER tan from the sun, you will not tan from tanning lamps, as they imitate the sun.

To build an awesome tan, tan regularly. Allowing too much time between visits will cause your tan to fade. You can tan up to once every 24 hours, however it’s recommended that you allow 48 hours in between each session to permit your tan to fully develop in between visits. Once you are tan, you can maintain your tan with visits of two or three times a week in a base bed and once every 10 days in the best upgrade equipment. Also, to help prolong the life of your tan, make sure to keep your skin moisturized with a high quality specially formulated-for-tanning lotion.

You’ll notice results after your very first session. To build a base tan most people need 3-5 sessions to get the color desired. If you need an instant tan, you should consider Spray-on Tanning or for the fastest tan a combination of regular tanning equipment and spray-on. Going on a vacation? Tan before you go and allow a few weeks of tanning prior to your trip. We recommend using a specially formulated lotion to increase your tanning potential and keep your skin feeling healthy and soft.

Your first session length will depend upon your skin tone and type, and your tanning professional will ask you to fill out a skin analysis to help determine your skin type. Also taken into consideration is how long it has been since you last tanned. The most common skin type is Type 3, who typically tan for 10-12 minutes the first time in a machine that has a 20 minute maximum.

You can tan in your bathing suit, underwear, or if you prefer a more “natural” approach, you can tan semi-nude or nude. Being in a private room while tanning – unlike at the beach or pool, you can wear whatever you like. Please be aware of exposing sensitive body parts that are not normally exposed to light. It is highly recommended that sensitive body parts be gradually exposed to prevent overexposure. It is also recommended to cover up a previously unexposed part of the body for part of your tanning time, so it can catch up safely with the rest of your tan. The only required attire is eye protection because your eyelids, even when they are closed, aren’t enough protection and light can cause temporary and permanent damage to them.

Eyewear protection is required by law. Your eyelids aren’t thick enough to provide protection and do not effectively block light while tanning. Approved eye protection is required to ensure you won’t have any ill effects such as reduced color vision or night blindness.

Yes! Science has embraced beauty to create Indoor Tanning Lotions. Specially formulated tanning lotions are jam-packed and enriched with nutrients, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial ingredients to help get you tan FAST, replenish the skin, is essential for proper skin care and to help achieve a healthier-looking, longer-lasting tan. They also help you get more value for each tanning session. Healthy skin tans faster, darker, and retains a tan longer.