The process of getting a fake tan involves climbing into an enclosed chamber, where you will lie for a specified period of time. The person in charge of the tanning beds will then set a time limit for your first session. Usually, the length of the sessions is increased by 2-minute intervals. Most beds are equipped with fans so you won't feel too heated. Most tanning salons start to offer bargains during the summer months (since people can go outside and do it for free).
While this is a great way to get a tan without worrying too much about burning, there are some precautions you'll want to take:
Make sure the tanning salon has a disinfecting policy. Many people will be in the tanning chambers sweating away--so if the salon doesn't disinfect, your skin could easily become irritated.
Make sure the salon has you fill out a Skin Type Analysis Form. This is a simple form that takes less than 1 minute to fill out. The form is used to determine how your skin reacts to tanning.
If you're taking medications, be sure to tell the salon staff. The medications may affect your sensitivity to the tanning beds.
Get a pair of FDA-approved goggles. Don't worry about getting raccoon eyes. The goggles protect the eyeball, and since the eyelids don't tan, you won't be able to notice you had them on. Depending upon the salon, you'll either need to buy these beforehand or you'll be able to borrow a pair at the front desk, so call ahead to find out the salon's policy.
Tanning beds are far from being skin-friendly. In fact, most health experts agree that the use of tanning beds increases a person's risk of skin cancer. When a person uses a tanning bed, more layers of the skin are damaged than when that person gets a tan from just being out in the sun. Still, if you're willing to take the risk with your skin, tanning beds do offer some benefits. You'll be able to control what kind of ultraviolet light your skin receives, you won't get sunburned, and your progress will be monitored.
on 9/4/2009
Question: If I get the same amount of color if I sun for 2 hours starting at 10am, compared to 1 hour starting at noon, does it matter when I go? Is one less harmful to my health?
Comments
scottkyu said
on 9/4/2009 Question: If I get the same amount of color if I sun for 2 hours starting at 10am, compared to 1 hour starting at noon, does it matter when I go? Is one less harmful to my health?
johnsonlove said
on 7/29/2009 this was a very informative article, and definitely helped me with a few of the answers i was looking for.