Frequently Asked Tanning Questions and Tanning Tips

What is the best tanning lotion?

The problem with that question is there is no answer. The best tanning lotion for you isn't necessarily the best lotion for the next person. Everyone has their personal preferences as to what they expect a tanning lotion to do and the results they expect receive. Also the skin type, tanning experience, oily skin, dry skin, the type of tanning bed bulbs and tanning bed equipment used etc. etc. There are simply too many factors involved to determine what is the "BEST" tanning lotion.

What is this tingle, I hear about?

Tingle, Hot, Fire, Heat Tingle Factor....  It's all the same principal. Different lotion manufactures just call It different names. A Tingle is a stimulation of the epidermal layers of your skin. Most people feel their skin heat up or Tingle after applying these tanning lotions. The skin stimulation (irritation) brings blood closer to the surface of the skin. The blood brings melanin with It and you may receive a better tan.  The tingle factors range from 1 to 30+ with some tanning lotion manufacturers and others use words like hot, hotter, hottest, max reddening. The higher the number, the more intense the tingling. It is recommended you start with a tingle of 1 or 2 to become accustomed to the stimulation then gradually work up through the different levels.

I have reached a point that I just can't get any darker. What can I do?

Your skin actually becomes thicker as your tanning progresses and makes It difficult for UV light to penetrate the upper layers of skin. This is commonly referred to as a tanning "Plateau". Moisturizer is extremely important at this point. Your skin cells are standing up as much as 45º and are actually reflecting the UV rays. Using a lot of moisturizing lotion will help these cells lay down and become more translucent, therefore more receptive to UV rays. Our recommendation is to use a good step 1 (or non tingle) tanning lotion for 2 or 3 tans to get your skin softened up then start a rotation with a step 2 (or hot action) tanning lotion. Rotate your tans, two tanning sessions with the step 1 tanning lotion.  Then one tanning session with the step 2 tanning lotion. Keep this rotation up and use plenty of moisturizer, you will get over your tanning Plateau.

I get these white spots. Little patches that won't tan, what are they?

Most likely It's a harmless fungus that lives on the skins surface. It wasn't noticeable before because they don't absorb UV rays. The rest of your body tanned but you didn't tan where ever those patches of fungus were.  There are medications available to aid in the eradication of sun spots.

My face and legs don't tan very well. What should I do?

Our face is the only part of our body that does not produce it's own moisture. Our legs become a little dryer because of clothing, hosiery etc. Fact is that moist skin tans much better than dry skin. Use a moisturizer at least twice daily. As stated before moist skin tans better than dry skin.  This is not only applicable to the face and legs but all parts of the body.

Should I shower after a tanning session?

The tanning process actually continues for a period of time after an indoor tanning session. Taking a shower will remove the mantel acid from your skin and slow down or stop this continued tanning process. It is recommended you not shower for 2 hours after your tanning session or 1 hour before a tanning session.

Should I shower before a tanning session?

A shower is not recommended 1 hour before an indoor tanning session but you should remove any makeup or perfume before your indoor tanning session. Some ingredients in makeup and perfume can make skin more sensitive to UV light and lead to overexposure or sunburn.

Can I use my indoor tanning bed lotion outdoors?

This is not a good idea. Indoor tanning lotions usually do not contain SPF. You will have no sun protection outdoors. Outdoor UV rays can vary daily even hourly in intensity. It is recommended you use a SPF while tanning outdoors. Outdoor tanning lotions are not recommended for indoor use, as they can cause a film on the acrylic and will inhibit the tanning process. You do want to use an SPF lotion if a certain part of your body is susceptible to burning. Sun Burns are bad and you never want to tan to the point you get a sun burn. If you do burn after an indoor tanning session you need to decrease the tanning time of your tanning sessions or use an SPF lotion to prevent this from happening in the future.

I just started tanning, how long will it take to see results?

You should have a skin tone change after the first few indoor tanning sessions. You should have a good base tan in 8-10 indoor tanning sessions then one to three tanning sessions a week should maintain your tan.

I am new to tanning indoors, are there some precautions I need to be aware of?

 Yes!

• Don't try to rush your tan. A tan should be obtained gradually. Gradually increase your exposure times.

• Consult your physician if you are taking any medication. Some medication can cause extra sensitivity to the UV light, causing overexposure.

• Also consult your physician If you have any type of skin irritation or other condition.

• Always wear protective eyewear. Ultraviolet light will penetrate the eyelids.

I can't get tan outdoors, will tanning in a tanning bed help?

Probably not. Some skin types tan quickly and easily while others just don't have the pigmentation necessary to develop much of a tan. If you have "type 1" skin It's recommended that you not tan at all. Type 1 skin is skin that always burns easily and severely, tans little and peels. This condition is most common with people that have fair skin, blue eyes and freckles. Approximately 5% of the population is unable to tan.

Can't I use any moisturizer for my dry skin?

Use moisturizers that were specifically designed and developed for indoor tanning. Use moisturizers frequently while tanning. Properly moisturized skin tans much easier. 

Why does my tan disappear?

Your tan occurs on the outer layers of your skin, the epidermal layers. Those skin cells gradually die and are replaced with the next layer (untaned) every 26 to 30 days.

When tan, I get to itching real bad. Is their something to prevent this?

Most likely your either photosensitive to UV light or allergic to a chemical in your tanning lotion. Try this, take a shower and wash all existing chemicals off your skin then go to your tanning session and Tan without a tanning lotion. If you don't have a good base tan cut your tanning session down a few minutes. You will know after your session as to whether you have a UV problem or a tanning lotion problem.

My girlfriend says sunburn will fade into a tan. How can a Sunburn be good if It hurts so bad?

NOT TRUE!
Many people FALSELY assume that sunburns will eventually "fade" into tans. Sunburn is associated with permanent skin damage!!!! Sunburn is an injury on top of your tanned skin. That's why It hurts so bad! Never! Never! Never! burn yourself intentionally.

What is a Bronzer ?

Tanning Bronzers are a dye that changes the color of your skin instantly. Some people love them and others hate them. Products with "Browning" or "Bronzer" in the name usually have real heavy (dark) bronzers.
You have to be careful when applying tanning lotions that contain bronzers as some will streak if not applied evenly, also real dry areas of the skin will absorb more of the tanning bronzer and leave the skin a different color.. Elbows, knees, between the fingers, and palms of hands are the most common spots. Many people that use bronzers will take wet wipes with them to clean these areas and hands immediately after applying tanning lotions with bronzers.

For a more in depth explanation on how the skin tans and how sunburns happen check out these great tutorials.

How Sunburns and sun tans work
How do sunless tanning products work