Indoor Tanning Tips
Whether you tan indoors or outdoors, the tanning process is the same. Ultraviolet rays stimulate skin cells to produce melanin, the pigment that makes your skin tan. One of the major advantages of indoor tanning is the flexibility in controlling the amount of UV exposure. Even with the increased control, there are still a number of precautions that you should take to ensure a complication free tanning experience.
- Protect your eyes - Simply closing your eyes or wearing outdoor sunglasses while tanning does not provide adequate protection against possible long-term eye injury from UV rays. The best protection is the safety goggles provided by the tanning salon, but when all else fails, sunglasses with UV protection works well too.
- Protect your lips - our lips don't produce melanin like the skin and will burn easily when exposed to sunlight. Make sure to protect them with SPF 15 lip balm or sunscreen.
- Cover What You Don't Tan - Make sure to cover the parts that you don't plan on tanning. This is especially important if you haven't tanned much recently and have fair skin. Allow your skin to build up melanin production over time, this will prevent unnecessary burning.
- Check with your Physician -While usually harmless, the UV exposure from indoor tanning can cause health complications depending on your body composition and family health history. It's better to be safe and check with your doctor before visiting a tanning salon. Also, it's not a bad idea to pay a visit to a dermatologist to ask whether or not indoor tanning would be good for your skin.
- Moisturize - The heat and light from tanning sessions often dries the skin. Moist skin tans the best; it is recommended that you moisturize before and after each tanning session to get the most out of it.
- Tan, Don't Burn - It's a common misconception that redder is better when it comes to tanning. Nothing could be further from the truth. If tanning gives you red or pink colored skin, it means you're getting burned, not tanned. Indoor tanning beds can be adjusted to find the perfect balance between UVA and UVB rays to ensure a good tan without the risk of burning.
- Use Tanning Lotions - If you're going to do an indoor tan, don't forget to use tanning lotions, after all they are designed to enhance the tan. Remember that indoor tanning lotions are designed specifically for indoor tanning beds and salons; they do not provide adequate protection for outdoor usage. Don't get the two mixed up!
- Shower Before Tanning - Remove any makeup or other products you may have applied as they can make the skin more likely to burn.
- Protective Goggles - UV rays are harmful to the eyes; make sure that your salon gives you protective goggles to wear.
- Don't Overdo It - after a tanning session, allow for at least 72 hours for your skin to readjust before going for another tanning session.