How to Use a Tanning Booth

Imagine that it's almost prom time or you're about to get married or you are going on vacation. Pasty pale skin can ruin pictures of these events. The quick fix? Hop into a tanning booth a few times before the big day and you will look fabulous in no time!

Instructions

1. Locate a tanning salon in your area that has a good reputation for sanitation and tanning booth upkeep. The best thing to do is ask friends, family or co-workers where they have gone and whether they recommend it.

2. Start tanning sessions a week ahead of the big event you are trying to get color for.

3. Ask the salon receptionist for a Level I booth and start between three and 10 minutes for your first visit. Start as low as three minutes if you tend to burn quickly. Request protective eyewear.

4. Make sure you are comfortable with the room you are in. Most reputable salons have nice, small rooms for each tanning booth that offer customers privacy and discretion. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, ask for a different style room or go to another salon.

5. Wipe the booth down before you get in with the sanitizer that will be in the room. The salon should be doing this after each customer, but just to be sure, give it a little spray yourself.

6. Undress to the level you feel comfortable. Many women only go in with their underwear on (and no bra) and most men go totally nude. You want to be conscious of any tan lines you might be getting and try to avoid them.

7. Lie down in the booth and put on your protective eyewear. Close the door to the booth and locate the control panel near the hinge of the booth door. There will be a button that says "Start/Stop" that is already pre-programed with your desired length of time and all you have to do is push it.

8. Relax in the booth as the lights come on and enjoy the warmth. Most salons will have music playing and a fan at one end of the booth so you don't get too hot.

9. Push the door to the booth open when the lights turn off and wipe it down again before you leave. Get dressed and throw away your eyewear if it is disposable.

10. Schedule your next session for 24 to 48 hours later and add three minutes to your time. Continue this pattern to build your tan over time.

Tips & Warnings

• Moisturize after tanning. Your skin needs it and it will help you maintain your tan longer.

• Never tan over a pre-existing burn. This will be very damaging to skin.