Indoor Tanning FAQs

General

Indoor tanning is the process of tanning indoors with the use of tanning beds or tanning booths.

When a person’s skin is exposed to Ultraviolet (UV) light, a pigment called melanin would be stimulated in the body. Subsequently, when melanin is triggered, it rises to the outermost layer of the skin, hence starting the tanning process. The more melanin cells in the skin determine the number of pigments that are excreted, or simply out, the extent of the tan.

It is really up to the individual, but in general, most people prefer the tanned look. A tan would definitely up your attraction factor. Not only that, it allows you to emit confidence, good health and fitness. With that, we are pretty sure that it would make you feel happy.

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 while a permanent tan can be achieved by repeated exposure to UV light.

Sunburn is the result of overexposure to excessive amounts of UV light. It can range from a mild pink skin discomfort to an extreme red, blister-like burns, like a lobster. Sunburn occurs when the UV exposure exceeds that of the body’s protective pigment and melanin.

Tanning beds and booths are fitted with fluorescent lamps that are designed to emit UV rays somewhat similar to the sun.

Generally, anything in excess is never good. Overexposure to large amounts of UV light is always dangerous, whether you are tanning indoors or outdoors. However, indoor tanning is safer as the equipment is designed to give you the optimal amount of UV light needed. The risk of getting skin cancer or premature skin is thus lowered considerably. Also, with professional guidance and scheduling, indoor tanning would provide you with the ideal amount of tanning.

It is recommended that a person waits 24-48 hours in between tanning sessions. Two tanning sessions within 24-hours is considered dangerous and may result in a burn.

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 the consultant.

This entirely depends on the individual as different people have different skin types. Some people may notice results in a few sessions while others may take longer to actually get a “base tan”.

A base tan is the tan your body permanently has over a long period of time.

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.

Yes. You need goggles, lotion and your body.

Yes! Though it may seem like a burden, the goggles offer protection to your eyes. Your skin can be tanned, but your eyes can’t. 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.

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.

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. If you have sensitive skin, there are lotions which are designed for sensitive skin and they are fragrance-free.

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, stop 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.

Q: Some people get white spots despite tanning themselves, why is this so? 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.

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.

Normally, a person tans indoors only as well as they are able to tan outdoors. However, 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.

When the eyes are kept closed or 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.

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.

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 can I expect when I go for a tan?

Are you unfamiliar with indoor tanning? Walk with us right now through the entire process of getting that beautiful tan in just 20 minutes! Take the step now, and join the group of beautiful bronze people.

Step 1: Make an appointment with our tanning expert

Instead of having to set aside a few hours of week for tanning, all you got to do is book a tanning appointment with us, whether it’s in the evening or even during your lunch break, it doesn’t matter! Say good bye to rushing and wasting long hours under the sun. Tanning with us can be done during your free time!

Step 2: Professional skin evaluation for achieving your targeted bronze skin tone

Upon arrival, the tanning consultant will evaluate your skin type and tanning preferences. Based on the discussion, they will recommend the optimal tanning experience, with suitable tanning lotions and tanning hours. They are here to provide professional advice and guidance on your tanning experience.

Step 3: This is the fun step. The tanning begins!

Once you are in the tanning room, strip off your clothes and get that tanning lotion on! It’s up to you to whether you want be completely naked or not, but we recommend so for an even tan.

Now, just hop into the tanning booth to let the tanning begin! Once it is over, the lights in the tanning booth will automatically switch off.

Finally, hold your breath, get out and appreciate your new beautiful skin in the mirror.

Step 4: Maintaining and enjoying that beautiful tan

After the tanning experience, our tanning consultants will recommend tips and advice for maintaining your new bronzed look.

Tanning can be a very easy and effortless process as long as you make the right decision. In fact, the result of indoor tanning is much faster and safer than natural tanning. You can enjoy your desired healthy look now.

Enjoy the special promotion below to achieve your desired bronze skin!