» What is a Skin Phototype?
» Can indoor tanning cause cancer?
» If a person cannot tan in the sun, will he or she be able to tan indoors?
» How long is one session?
» How long before you start seeing results?
» How often are you allowed to tan?
» Why is it important to develop a base tan?
» Why does a tan disappear?
» Is it harmful to wear contact lenses when tanning indoors?
» Why do some dermatologists warn people against sun exposure?
» Can I tan all year long without harming my skin?
» What does it mean to tan smart?
» Why do some people itch after tanning indoors?
» What causes white spots?
» Must protective eyewear be worn while tanning indoors?
» Should I wear sunglasses when outdoors?
» Which is safer, tanning indoors or outside? Why?
» What is contained in tanning creams that accelerate tanning? Is it safe?
» Why do people use lotions?
Each one of us has a precise quantity and quality of melanin that determines the color of our complexion, eyes and hair.
A phototype is a classification of an individual based on the person's pigmentation and photosensitivity to solar rays, and is expressed from I to VI. The advantage of knowing your phototype is that it shows your sensitivity to sun tanning and helps you take the correct approach during sun tanning.
Can indoor tanning cause cancer?
In general, only excessive or overexposure to any UV light source can lead to skin damage, which may cause skin cancer.
With indoor tanning, you are guided by our Tan Consultants who will advise you on the number of hours to achieve your desired skin tone. With proper guidance, it is unlikely that you will be overexposed to UV light.
If a person cannot tan in the sun, will they be able to tan indoors?
Normally, a person tans indoors only as well as they are able to tan outdoors. Yet, those fair-skinned people who generally cannot tolerate the uncontrolled rays of the sun often achieve some color when tanning indoors. This can be attributed to a different spectral output as well as carefully timed tanning sessions in a controlled tanning environment.
The first time on a sun tan bed can be anywhere from 5-15 minutes, depending on your skin type. Many studios have different equipment and lamps, therefore you should follow the specific recommended exposure time and schedule recommended by our Tan Consultant.
How long before you start seeing results?
Most people start seeing results by the third visit. Note: a tan doesn't happen overnight - you need to build a base tan. And remember to tan smart – gradually over time.
How often are you allowed to tan?
A 48-hours time period should pass between tanning sessions, results will only be seen between 12-24 hours after your session. Two tanning sessions within this 24-hour period could result in over exposure.
Why is it important to develop a base tan?
Moderate exposure to UVB rays help develop a natural barrier in the skin to protect the body from excessive UV light. UVB rays stimulate the production of melanin, which absorbs and scatters radiation to thicken the epidermis (the top skin layer). If this photo-protection (base tan) is not developed or a sunscreen is not used, sunburn can occur and the DNA of the skin cells may become damaged. Please note that although your skin has developed some natural protection, sunscreens should still be used.
A tan disappears because the top layer of your skin replaces all of its cells every 28-30 days. Keeping your skin moisturized, will prolong a tan, however a tan can be maintained only by repeated exposure to UV light.
However, indoor tanning has been known to last longer than the usual tanning procedures.
Is it harmful to wear contact lenses when tanning indoors?
When the eyes are kept closed and proper protective eyewear worn, UV light is blocked from penetrating the eye or lens. However, the heat generated by indoor tanning equipment could cause the eye to dry a bit, thereby making the lens uncomfortable. Just as one should moisturize the skin after tanning, you may also use eye drops recommended by your optometrist to remedy dryness.
Why do some dermatologists warn people against sun exposure?
While some dermatologists may advocate total avoidance of all sun exposure, the media seems to quote only those who do. Many dermatologists and others from the medical community have acknowledged the need for moderate sun exposure, while advocating the use of sunscreens during tanning.
Can I tan all year long without harming my skin?
Moderation is key. You may tan throughout the year if you are taking care not to overexpose your skin. You should always be aware of the dangers of overexposure as it may lead to chronic skin damage. Take precautions not to indoor and outdoor tan on the same day, wear sunscreen outside and always allow a 24-hour time period to lapse between tanning sessions.
What does it mean to tan smart?
To tan smart is to build up your tan in a controlled and gradual manner. This gives your body a natural tan without burning, giving pigment a chance to develop and increasing your protection to UV light. It may take longer but you reduce the risk of over exposure and skin damage. Gradual exposure utilizing the advice of our Tan Consultants will not only build a better tan but will prevent the negative aspects of over exposure.
Why do some people itch after tanning indoors?
Itching and/or rashes may be linked to several unrelated causes. Some people are naturally photosensitive to UV exposure while others are susceptible to heat rashes, a cause totally unrelated to UV light. Certain chemicals or ingredients found in cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, and even the acrylic cleaner might cause itching.
You should tan with the skin as clean as possible. If discontinued use of a suspected product does not inhibit the rash, discontinue any exposure to UV light and consult your physician. Heat rash, or tanner's itch, may also indicate that the light and heat generated by tanning bulbs or the sun has dried your skin, especially in previously unexposed areas.
If such is the case, discontinue tanning for a few days, then slowly build your time allowing melanin production to increase. For temporary relief try an unscented emollient cream. If symptoms persist, discontinue tanning and consult your doctor.
There are several reasons why white spots become noticeable on the body once the tanning process begins:
- Patches of skin which do not tan could be the result of genetic determination.
- White spots could also appear due to the presence of a fungus, which lives on the skin's surface. While the fungus is harmless, it does absorb UV light, which would normally penetrate the skin. This fungus does not appear as a result of tanning, it merely becomes noticeable once tanning occurs. It can be remedied though the use of prescription drugs or some other topical lotions.
- White patches of skin, which are often prominent on the shoulder blades and just above the buttocks, can be caused by the pressure from the body as it reclines on a hard tanning bed surface. This pressure inhibits the flow of blood through that area of skin. Since blood carries oxygen, which is essential to the tanning process, this area does not tan. Periodic body shifting during tanning will make these patches disappear.
- Certain medications can react unfavorably with exposure to UV light. For example, birth control pills can cause blotches and uneven pigmentation of the skin.
Must protective eyewear be worn while tanning indoors?
Although they may seem like a nuisance, the goggles that you wear while tanning are very important. Your eyelids alone offer almost no protection against UV light, which can damage the cornea and retina and lead to cataracts. Not using proper eye protection may also result in short term effects such as tired, itchy eyes, headaches and loss of night vision. No one should ever be in a tanning bed without eye protection. Buy your own pair to avoid the risk of infections like pink-eye, which are easily transmitted. Don't take chances with your eyes.
Should I wear sunglasses when outdoors?
Yes. More and more scientific evidence indicates that exposure to UVB rays can cause damage to your eyes. Generally, UVB rays can cause short-term injury, such as burning. Prolonged unprotected exposure to the sun is cumulative and can result in cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye. Therefore, it is recommended you should wear sunglasses treated with UV resistant coating when outdoors.
Which is safer, tanning indoors or outside? Why?
Indoor tanning is a controlled environment, which allows you to slowly build a gradual tan, to develop pigmentation and increase your natural SPF. The external factors of tanning in the sun, such as time of year and day, altitude, cloud coverage, pollutants, reflective surfaces, etc. are harder to control or predict.
What is contained in tanning creams that accelerate tanning? Is it safe?
The main active ingredient in tanning lotions is Tyrosine. Tyrosine is essentially amino acids from proteins that are converted through several metabolic steps to produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for causing your skin to darken and provides a natural SPF factor of up to 10. Tyrosine is added to tanning accelerator products to supplement the body's normal level of tyrosine at the skins cell level thereby speeding the tanning process. Indoor tanning lotions also help counter the drying effects of tanning, prepare the skin to tan more efficiently, and make a tan last longer.
Many people use indoor tanning products to maximize their tanning experience. The following are reasons why consumers enjoy using tanning lotions:
- They supply the skin with essential nutrients necessary for a tan and help moisturize the skin to keep it looking young and healthy.
- Moist skin tans more quickly and efficiently than dry skin, resulting in a better tan in fewer visits.
- Indoor tanning products help counteract the drying effects of heat and light associated with tanning (moisturized skin is healthier).
- Active ingredients supplement the skin’s cells with the same proteins that enhance the tanning process naturally.
- Specially formulated indoor tanning lotions help your tan last by retaining ultraviolet induced melanin longer.
- The latest lotion technology includes antioxidants that help prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
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