Maximize Your Tan

Achieving a deep, dark tan is very simple when you have all the facts. Indoor tanning is a great alternative to sunbathing outside. While there are still risks of skin damage, premature aging of the skin, and skin cancer, tanning in a tanning bed is a better option because it is a controlled environment. After working in a salon for several years, I picked up a few tricks to maximizing my clients' results.

The first step to tanning safely indoors is to seek a clean, professional salon. Not only will you lower your chances of catching any funky rash that can be contracted using dirty sunbeds, you will also get more for your money because professionally operated salons change their bulbs regularly and are available to answer any questions you may have. Type in a Google search for tanning salons in your area and read some reviews. Doing your research is the first step to maximizing your tan.

Your second assignment is to know your skin type! This is very easy to find out. Skin types range from 1 to 6 and are based on your skin's response to UV rays. Type in a Google search to find your skin type and this will determine your exposure times in the tanning bed per session while building and maintaining your tan. Tanning for too short of an amount of time will slow the tanning process, while an exposure time that is too long will cause you to burn. Sun burns not only hurt and damage skin cells, highering your chance of skin cancer, but also limits you from tanning regularly and therefore also slows the tanning process.

Burning is never safe! A burn-turned-tan is a MYTH! Be safe and smart while choosing exposure times!

Using lotion is one of the most important keys to achieving the golden tan you want. The reason using tanning lotion is so important is to moisturize your skin. Exposing your skin to UV light dehydrates it. Dry skin cells reflect light instead of absorbing it the way you want it to. Absorbing UV light is what causes your skin to turn brown. Without hydrating your skin prior to tanning, it will take your body approximately 6 minutes to generate sweat and start absorbing light. This means you're wasting the first 6 minutes of your session if you're not using lotion!

Lotion specifically formulated for indoor tanning is the best kind to use. Do not use a lotion with an SPF and especially do not use an oil-based product as this will damage the tanning equipment. You can purchase tanning lotion online or at a salon. Personally, my favorite brand is Designer Skin. They have so many bottles to choose from with different skincare benefits, not to mention they will help you get darker, quicker!

Keeping your body moisturized will also help prolong the life of your tan (you will stay dark longer). There are many tan-extender lotions on the market, but any lotion will do. My rule of thumb is to moisturize after each shower and after each tanning session.

Eye protection is one of the most important aspects to tanning indoors. If you choose to utilize a sunbed, be sure to protect your eyes! There are many options of goggles to wear - goggles with straps for stand-up booths, small goggles to minimize "raccoon eyes", and disposable one-time-use goggles for more sanitary protection. Exposing your eyes to harmful UV rays can lead to eye damage, impaired vision, and blinding in extreme cases.

After taking all of these aspects into consideration, it is easy to maximize your tanning results and achieve the deep, dark tan that you desire. The most important part of indoor tanning is protecting your body, and relaxing!

Happy tanning! :)