How to Get a Natural Looking Tan Using a Tanning Bed

Tanning is your body's way of protecting itself from sunburn. This layer of protection is also known as the base tan. Moderate exposure to UV rays is good for you because the Vitamin D helps your body control abnormal cell growth. Tanning in a bed allows you to control how much exposure you get. It's an all-over tan, so you can control how even and natural it looks.

• Fill out a questionnaire about your skin type and tone. Our indoor tanning shop uses this to determine how much time you should stay in the tanning unit. Be honest about your skins tendency to burn.
  

• Decide how tan you want to get. If you're looking for a base tan, you will only have to tan occasionally (2 or 3 times a week). If you're looking to get darker, you'll want to tan more often (5 days a week for 10 minutes will work).
  

• Apply an indoor tanning lotion to your skin before tanning. It helps the tan look more natural by moisturizing and protecting your skin. Skin that is hydrated will hold a tan longer, too. Some lotions even come with wrinkle-resistors and firming formulas.  Chose one with [Acteyl] L-Tyrosine.  Those who exfoliate and use lotion are 30% more likely to accelerate the tanning process.

• Tanning beds have a built in timing unit. Discuss an appropriate tanning time and schedule for you with your customer service representative.  A starting time of 5 to 7 minutes is a great place to start for your first week.  Typically, no one should stay inside a tanning bed for more than 20 minutes

• Tan in a variety of positions including Lying with your hands above your head  occasionally and on your stomach. Even though the front and back of your body is getting hit by the tanning bulbs, your underarms and sides often don't get color. This will increase your ability to tan those areas.

If you are going to continue your exposure to the sun and the tanning bed, a diet rich in vitamins D and E along with an indoor tanning lotion containing L-Tyrosine may be beneficial in helping your skin stave off the damaging effects of UV rays.


Suns A Beach carries a great selection of Indoor Tanning Lotions to suit your needs.  Those containing Tyrosine are product lines by Synergy Tan, Supre, Designer Skin, Fiesta Sun and Norvell.  Ask our customer service representative to suggest a lotion for you if you are unsure which one to purchase.