What to Wear in Tanning Beds

A tanning bed is the quick, surefire way to end up with a golden glow with just a few sessions. If it's your first time tanning in a bed, be sure to build up your tan by adding just a minute to your tanning session every day to avoid burning. When it comes to what you wear in a tanning bed, the choice is yours, but remember that you're alone and no one is watching, so tanning in the nude is probably your best bet.

Tanning Nude

Tanning in the nude is easy and ensures an even tan. No one is watching, so don't be shy about dropping everything when it's time to climb in the tanning bed. This is easiest because prior to tanning, you apply indoor tanning lotion. If this indoor tanning lotion has a bronzer (read the label to find out), it can stain a swimsuit or clothing. When you get in the tanning room, a small clock will give you anywhere from 2 to 3 minutes to remove clothing and rub on tanning lotion. Be sure to wear your goggles. If you are concerned with pre-mature aging, you can wear a towel over your face to protect it from the tanning bed's rays. When doing this, still wear your goggles to protect your eyes.

Tanning in a Swimsuit

If you decide to tan in a swimsuit, be sure to bring along or wear an older swimsuit. Indoor tanning lotions and bronzers can sometimes have a strange effect on fabrics because of the chemicals, so they can discolor or stain your swimsuit. It would be wise to wear your swimsuit under your clothes to the tanning salon, so you aren't inconvenienced with changing clothes before you jump in the bed. Wear protective goggles over your eyes.

What to Wear to Tan

There's no heavy lotions or tanning solutions involved in tanning in a bed, so you can wear pretty much anything. By the time you put your clothes back on following the tanning session, any bronzers in your indoor tanning lotion will have been absorbed by your skin, so don't worry about damaging clothes. In matters of convenience, women can wear a sun dress, which is easy to remove and throw back on, and men can wear a T-shirt and shorts.

Time Frame

You will need to tan in a tanning bed anywhere from 3 to 5 sessions to build up a golden tan. The color will increase with each session. If it's your first time tanning in a bed, do not rush things. The first session may be as little as 3 to 5 minutes, with an additional minute tacked on each time you tan. Remember to be consistent with your visitations, as any more than 5 to 7 days can give skin a chance to lose pigment and you'll have to start the process over.

Warning

Tanning in a tanning bed or the sun can cause pre-mature aging like wrinkles and sun spots. It can also contributes to skin cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer recently bumped indoor tanning up to one of the top contributors of cancer, declaring it "carcinogenic to humans."

References

• Beware the Risks of Tanning Beds
• Tanning Tips
• Tanning Beds Get Highest Carcinogen Rating