If you really want a tan but don't want to shell out the money for a tanning bed or a daily trip to the beach, the next best thing to do is to lease a tanning bed. Finding a good tanning bed to lease would save you the cost and trouble of shopping for an expensive beauty implement all by yourself, and save you the risk of making a hasty purchase also.

The most common and practical way to lease a tanning bed is to rent the services of a salon. In a tanning salon, you will also have skilled attendants who may be able to assist you in case of problems. You should be able to take your pick of professional tanning options - you could get a darker tan faster by making use of the high pressure beds, or get a regular, longer-lasting tan by using the regular beds.

Understandably, leasing the high pressure beds would be more expensive. These beds use a different set of bulbs, more expensive than regular bulbs, but also much stronger. They are also called "high pressure" bulbs, because they emit much stronger (and potentially more harmful) UVA light than regular bulbs. The beds themselves fetch a higher price in the market, used or brand new.

And of course, if you're using stronger stuff, you will also need stronger protection. You may need to invest in thicker and more protective tanning goggles, and you'll certainly have to invest in tanning lotion that has a stronger sun protection factor (SPF). If you're not up to buying these things yourself, you could simply rent or purchase the things you need from the salon during every tanning session. In the long run, it may save you more money.

Whether or not you own the bed you will be using to tan, the important thing to do is to stick to a tanning schedule. Consider your budget before starting a tanning routine. Will you be able to set aside enough money to visit your favorite tanning salon and rent your chosen bed on a regular basis? If you are not confident that you will be able to save up for a regular tanning schedule, it may be best to wait until you have set aside money for the essential treatments.

However, if you're thinking of opening up your own salon, owning your very own tanning bed may be considered more of an investment than opting to lease a tanning bed. Taking care of a tanning bed is no easy task - you have to keep it clean, check it up regularly to make sure all the parts are in perfect working order, replace bulbs as often as necessary, et cetera. But once you have gotten used to the routinary work of maintaining a tanning bed, and have mastered the ins and outs of using it, you can feel more confident to try out other beds, and even to purchase them when it's time to set up your salon.