Are you ready to get tanned? Here are some steps to help you make the most out of a tanning bed:

  1. Know your skin type first

It’s very important to know your skin type and tanning abilities before getting into a tanning bed to avoid getting sunburn. Your skin type will determine the number of sessions you need to establish a base tan and how long you’ll need to spend on the tanning bed for each session. There are five categories for skin types beginning from the lightest up to the darkest:

  • Type 1. This is very white or pale with many freckles, red hair and blue or green eyes. It is the most sensitive so tanning must be done carefully to avoid burning.
  • Type 2. This is light beige with some freckles, light brown or blonde hair and blue or green eyes. It has a strong tendency to burn so tanning must be done carefully.
  • Type 3. This is light brown with brown hair and eyes. It tans easily although it could still burn easily.
  • Type 4. This is light brown or olive with dark brown hair and eyes. It tans very easily with a little chance of burning.
  • Type 5. This is brown skin with dark brown hair and eyes. It is the easiest to tan and rarely burns.

  1. Know what to wear

Tanning salons don’t require you to be naked while lying in a tanning bed, but it is recommended for an even tan. The general rule here is to wear what you’re comfortable with. Some people tan completely naked while others wear a bikini, underwear or tanning stickers.

It’s also very important to put on the right protective eyewear to keep your eyes safe from too much UV exposure. Some people just close their eyes but then tend to forget at some point and open them.

Your best chance is to put on a towel or ask your tanning salon for disposable protective eyewear. You can also buy tanning goggles if you do this regularly.

  1. Know what lotion to use

There are a lot of tanning lotions for you to choose from. But if you are to get a very good tan, you need to look for something with a moisturizer to prevent your skin from drying out. If you want to add more color to your tan, you can also go for a lotion that contains an intensifier or bronzer to add to your complexion.

When applying lotion, try to take your time and make sure that you apply it evenly on your skin to avoid getting an uneven tan. You can also start out by buying sample sizes of tanning lotions to try and see if they work out well for you or not before committing to an entire bottle.

  1. Know how long you should be in the tanning bed

Most tanning salons will have a dermatologist or specialist who will tell you how long you need to be in the tanning bed. But in case they don’t, you need to refer to your skin type to know.

If it’s your first time and you burn easily, start with a Level One or Two tanning bed for just five minutes. If that doesn’t burn, you can increase your time in the next session. You can also ask your tanning salon about the different beds they have.

Tanning beds usually range from Level One to Four and you can increase levels as you become more accustomed to tanning.

  1. Try to move around

While inside the tanning bed, you don’t have to stay perfectly still the whole time. In fact, you need to move around to make sure that all parts of your body are exposed to the UV rays.

Try to prop your head slightly or use a pillow to make sure that your neck is exposed to avoid white lines or tanning wrinkles.

How do you use a tanning bed for beginners?

General Tanning Tips
  1. Take a shower and exfoliate using an abrasive soap or scrubbing sponge.
  2. Use a high quality tanning lotion.
  3. Do not burn.
  4. Wear goggles while in the tanning bed.
  5. Wait at least 48 hours in between tanning sessions.
  6. Use a tan extender after tanning.
  7. Tan in moderation and be responsible about tanning.

How long does it take to see results from a tanning bed?

Generally, you will begin to notice results after a few tanning sessions, but it may take several weeks of regular tanning (about three times a week) to acquire a good tan. If you are developing a base tan before going on a winter vacation, please start tanning two to three weeks before you are scheduled to leave.

How are you supposed to lay in a tanning bed?

Lay on your back inside the tanning bed with your arms and legs spread. Laying with your legs together or with your arms resting against your sides can lead to an uneven or spotty tan. Stretch out your body when you first lay down to ensure all parts of your skin get exposure.

How long should you go on a sunbed for the first time?

How long should I go on for? Depending on the store you can go on for 4-14 minutes or 8-20 minutes. We recommend if it is your first time start of low and build up your minutes. Little and often is recommended until you reach your desired colour then you can leave a longer time frame between your sessions.

What is 10 minutes in a tanning bed equal to?

In a recent survey of adolescent tanning bed users, it was found that about 58 percent had burns due to frequent exposure to indoor tanning beds/lamps. 10 minutes in a tanning bed is equal to four hours on the beach!

Can you take your phone in a tanning bed?

Yes – but only if you’re not wearing protection. All goggles and disposable eye protection styles shown in major tanning product distributor catalogs and advertised in IST Magazine provide a complete UV block, and yes, all of those products are see-through!

Should I shower after tanning bed?

No, you should avoid showering right after tanning. Bronzers and other tanning bed lotions are designed to increase melanin production to result in darker tans. Washing away these bronzers and lotions immediately after tanning can reduce their effectiveness, and your tan may not turn out as dark as it would otherwise.

How can I get darker in a tanning bed fast?

What happens if you open your eyes in a tanning bed?

The UV light in tanning beds is so strong that even closing your eyes during a tanning session won’t protect them. A few of the eye health problems that can result from indoor tanning are cataracts, macular degeneration, dry eye, sunburn, and blurry vision.

Can I just close my eyes in a tanning bed?

Indoor tanners will often keep their eyes closed or place a towel over their face to protect their eyes while in a tanning bed. According to Dr. Susan Blakeney of the College of Optometrists, the skin of the eyelids is very delicate and thin, so closing your eyes does not protect them from UV damage.

How do you prevent raccoon eyes in a tanning bed?

“Another quick tip is to move your eye protection slightly during the session, which will diminish any possible tan line. We also like to suggest applying a dab of bronzing lotion on the eyelid and under the eye after tanning to help minimize any possible lines eye protection might leave,” enthuses DeWald.

Can tanning beds make you go blind?

Constant exposure to these intense UV rays can cause damage to the eyes, including photokeratitis (a sunburn on your cornea), cataracts, skin cancer around the eye, macular degeneration as well as corneal infections and conjunctivitis.

Is it bad to go in a tanning bed without goggles?

When you don’t wear the provided goggles in a tanning bed, you are exposing your eyes to extreme danger. Your eyes may seem fine at first, but you can develop long-term damage to your eyesight over time.

Why are my eyes blurry after tanning bed?

Photokeratitis is a short-term example of damage from UV light. Photokeratitis is essentially a sunburn on the cornea of your eye (one of the most integral parts of your eye). While only temporary, photokeratitis can be extremely painful, cause swelling to the eye, and even result in permanently blurred vision.

What happens if you use a tanning bed without goggles?

Your eyes can get sun burnt! Tanning with no eye protection can cause red, itchy or watery eyes. These symptoms are all indications of short-term eye damage.

What can I use if I don’t have tanning goggles?

What is the best substitute for tanning goggles? The best substitute for tanning goggles are tanning stickers, which fit over your eyes to protect them from UV rays, without having to wear bulky goggles. These stickers are disposable, so you can simply take out a new pair next time you visit the salon.

How do you apply eye stickers to tan?

What is the best stand-up tanning bed?

When it comes to the best stand–up tanning beds, the SunDream ProSun is ideal for the home. The bulbs are the perfect strength for at home tanning.