Tanning - Frequently Asked Questions

Indoor tanning is one way to regulate the amount of UV light you are exposed to, because it is a controlled environment. You can gradually increase your exposure time to make sure you don't get a sunburn, which is harmful to the skin. Additionally, because the operator has skin typed you, you will be ONLY exposed to the light for the correct duration for your skin group type, unlike outdoors where you would be flooded with higher levels of light on an undetermined intensity and duration.

How do the beds and booths work?
Tanning beds and booths basically imitate the sun. The sun emits three kinds of UV rays (the ones that make you tan). UV-C has the shortest wavelength of the three, and is also the most harmful. The sun emits UV-C light, but then it's absorbed by the ozone layer and pollution. Tanning lamps filter out this type of UV light.

UV-B, the middle wavelength, starts the tanning process ,by stimulating the melanocyte cells that produce melanin for several hours after exposure, these melanin granules will later be bronzed by subsequent exposure to UV-A making the brown that we call a "tan" but over exposure can cause sunburn.

UV-A has the longest wavelength, and it completes the tanning process. It does this by "oxidizing" the melanin, much the same way that iron turns brown when it rusts, the combination of oxygen, ultraviolet and melanin produces the tan, the more of any of these elements are present the better and deeper the tan will be.

Tanning lamps use the best ratio of UV-B and UV-A light to provide optimal tanning results, with a lowered risk of overexposure. Since the amount of UV-B that a customer will receive is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, the higher the B ratio of a given bed, the shorter the maximum tanning time will be. So a 10 minute tanning bed should have UV-B output in the 8% range, and a 20 minute bed will have UV-B in the 5-6% range. Of course the number of bulbs, and the wattage of the bulbs will also have a bearing on the maximum tanning time a manufacture has certified a bed for.

If I never can get a tan outside because I burn, can I get a tan indoors?
If it takes you a while to get a tan outside, it may be easier for you to get the color you want (brown instead of red) by tanning indoors. You would need to start with a short exposure time, and increase it very gradually. However, if you NEVER tan from the sun, you will not tan from tanning lamps, since they emit the very same tanning rays as the sun does.

How often should I tan?
In order to build a tan, it is important to tan regularly. Don't let too much time go by between visits, or your tan will begin to fade. You can tan up to once every 24 hours, but it is generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours in between each session to allow your tan to fully develop in between visits. You can build up your tan by going to an indoor tanning facility three to four times a week. Once you have a tan, you can maintain it by tanning two or three times a week.
How long does it take to get a tan?
Usually, you will begin to notice results after a few tanning sessions, but it may take a few weeks of regular tanning (at least three times a week) to get to the color you are looking for. If you are developing a base tan before going on a trip, you would want to start tanning about three or four weeks before you go.

What should I wear?
It's totally up to you. (But long pants and sweaters aren't recommended for good results!) Some people choose to tan in their bathing suits or underwear, and others prefer a more "natural" approach. Since you are in a private room while tanning, you can wear whatever you like.

Should eye ware be used?
The only thing required is that you do wear eye protection every time you tan, because eyes are unable to protect themselves from UV light, even when they are closed, and the light can cause temporary and permanent damage to them. Many different eye protection options are available, or sometimes even provided free of charge if you forget yours, at all tanning facilities.

"Naked" skin?
If you are tanning a previously unexposed part of your body, be sure to cover it up for part of your tanning time, so it can catch up safely with the rest of your tan. You should also apply sunblock to new tattoos, or to scars since these do not like exposure to sunlight in the first couple of weeks.

What should I ask when shopping for a place to tan?
There is one very important question to ask of a tanning facility to be sure it will meet your needs. What you need to know, obviously, is if you will get the best tan for your money. This isn't just based on the prices, though. Be sure you don't settle for a cheap tanning session that doesn't give you results.
Bulbs, the "IN's and OUT's"
Find out when the tanning bulbs were changed. Manufacturers estimate the life of their tanning lamps at 800 to 1500 hours, but it is important to realize that the strength of the bulbs depends on how new they are. When bulbs are brand new, they are at their peak strength. A bulb stays close to this peak strength for the first 150 hours. After that, the bulb strength drops somewhat, stays at this point for 600-700 hours of use, and then starts to lose intensity until it has no tanning power at all.

Be sure you tan at a place that can tell you when the bulbs were changed last, so you know for sure what you're getting. They should also know exactly when they will change the bulbs again, based on the volume of people they tan, and the number of hours on their bulbs. Just remember, the newer the bulbs, the better the tan. Knowing how new the bulbs are will help you determine how long you should tan, too. If the bulbs are newer than those you are used to, you should decrease your tanning time to prevent overexposure.
Heat VS Tanning.

If I get really hot in a bed or booth, am I getting a better tan?
When you lay out in the sun to tan, you usually get really hot, so many times this is associated with getting tan. However, although the heat and the UV light both come from the sun, only the UV light affects tanning. This is why skiers can get sunburn in the middle of winter. If the sun is out, there is UV light reaching you, even when it's cold out. The same thing is true with tanning bulbs. If you get too hot while tanning, it could indicate that there isn't enough air conditioning at that facility, or the ventilation is poor. You should be comfortable while tanning. Since heat won't give you better results - why put up with it?

When shouldn't I tan?
It is not recommended to tan, either outdoors or indoors, if you are taking photosensitizing medication. If you aren't sure, ask your doctor, or ask a tanning consultant at your tanning facility to see a list of these medications, which can greatly increase the risk of overexposure. You should also avoid tanning if you are pregnant, the light isn't the problem, it is the heat from the beds that could cause later term problems.
Do I need to wear lotion when tanning indoors?
You don't need to wear an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) lotion when you tan indoors because these lotions, by nature, are designed to allow you to spend a longer time in the sun. For example, an SPF 8 would allow you to stay in the sun 8 times longer than you normally could. Since you are controlling your exposure time when tanning indoors, you don't need to use an SPF. You should also avoid using outdoor oils when you tan indoors. These oils will make the acrylic dirty and prevent you from tanning. However, there are products specifically designed for indoor tanning, that help moisturize the skin while helping you tan faster. These can be purchased at most tanning facilities. These lotions really DO work by adding amino acids like L-Tyrosine the precursor tanning building blocks, they add copper, iron and other basic ingredients your body needs for a rich tan. Some have "accelerants" which are Vitamin E based, these work by increasing the blood supply to the surface of the skin while tanning thus bringing more oxygen to combine with the melanin producing a rich deep tan.