Whether you tan indoors or outdoors, the process is
the same. Ultraviolet rays stimulate skin cells to produce melanin,
the pigment that makes your skin tan.
There are two types of ultraviolet light rays -- UVA
and UVB. Different indoor tanning units use different combinations of
these two tanning rays. Whatever the combination, your exposure times
are regulated by the federal government to minimize your risk of
sunburn or overexposure.
Smart tanning involves following the exposure
schedule designed for your skin type and avoiding sunburn by tanning
gradually. To determine your skin type visit the Alliance of Tanning
Salon Owners.
By controlling the type and amount of UV light you
receive in your bed, there is no doubt that this is the best, smartest
place to acquire a tan. However, there are some precautions you should
take to maximize your enjoyment of your tanning bed.
- Protect your eyes. Simply closing them or
wearing outdoor sunglasses while you tan is not adequate
protection against possible long-term eye injury. Wearing the
FDA-compliant eye protection available at this site can eliminate
that risk.
- Protect your lips. They do not produce melanin
and will burn easily unless you protect them with lip balms or
sunscreen.
- If you plan to tan in the nude, cover previously
unexposed areas for the majority of your tanning session
for the first few sessions. Gradually increase exposure to these
areas, giving the skin time to build melanin production. Use
sunscreen or lip balms on your nipples to prevent burning and
chapping.
- If you are taking any medications , please check
with your doctor or pharmacist. Some medications can
cause reactions with UV light.
- Moisturize your skin. The heat and light from
tanning sessions can dry your skin. Because moist skin tans best,
we recommend you moisturize before and after each tanning session
to get the most out of each session.
- Drink lots of water -Water will moisturize your
skin from the inside out. It is important to keep your skin moist
because moist skin tans best.
- Adjust positions- By adjusting positions from
time to time will eliminate pressure points on your back and tan
more evenly. By allowing the blood to circulate you will run less
of a risk of getting a "heat rash".
- Use indoor tanning lotion - These lotions
or "accelerators" have been designed to be used with
tanning beds. They will help you tan faster, darker, and make your
tan last longer. Most importantly they will keep your skin moist
while you are tanning.
- Don't use an alkaline based soap -Use a PH
balanced shower gel. "Bar" soaps will strip off an oil
layer of your skin called acid mantle and leave a waxy film on our
skin.
- Wear the supplied FDA approved goggles -This
will protect your cornea and retina from irreversible damage that
may not show up until later on in life.
- If you have any questions please ask -We love
questions, our employees have been trained to help you with
anything that you might have a question about.
- Use the Super High Output Beds -These beds are
designed to help you achieve the deepest, richest, best looking
tan possible. Plus, they also help you even out your face, neck,
and shoulders with the rest of your body.
- TAKE IT SLOW - Tanning is not a speed race. We
know that you want a tan yesterday, but by overdoing it will take
longer to get that tan you want and you won't get as dark in the
long run with a burn base.
- Do not shower right after tanning. You will tan for up to three
hours after leaving the bed. Showering slows and stops the
process.
Why Redder Isn't Better
Many people grow up thinking that if they do not experience a
slight red or pinkish tint after they tan that they did not
"get anything." The truth is that the red or pinkish
tint you see is actually sunburn (or erythema) -- your skin's
worst enemy. The fact is that the sunburns we experience due to
lack of information when we are growing up are the very things
that lead to skin damage later in life.
Smart tanners know that the key to avoiding sunburn in moderation
in terms of UV exposure. The best way to ensure a "smart
tan" is to take advantage of the years of research that have
gone into tanning equipment to provide you with a controlled,
predictable dosage of UV light. Also, use lotions to moisturize
your skin before and after tanning. If you do tan outdoors,
remember that the sun emits whatever types of UV rays it wants.
Several other environmental factors come into play with outdoor UV
light, making exposure unpredictable.
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