If you need to know how to use a tanning bed, it makes sense that you find out more about the possible ailments associated with tanning in tanning beds. Tanning in a tanning bed or a tanning salon is not, as many people believe, that different from tanning on a beach. That's why it's absolutely imperative to know how to use a tanning bed properly.
Although using a tanning bed is quite simple, knowing how to tan in a tanning bed properly is another matter altogether. Using a tanning bed is, essentially, trying to replicate the tanning process in a controlled environment. The sun tans you via UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays, and that is exactly how a tanning bed tans you. In tanning salons, anyone who wants a tan can control how long a time they want to be exposed to a tanning bed's UV rays, as well as control which rays the skin itself is exposed to. On a beach, you don't, and can't, get this kind of personalized control, nor can you tan on the beach in the winter!
Tanning beds are actually quite similar to sun tanning, because the same UV radiation is creating the tan.
Using a tanning bed is quite simple. Any individual seeking to get a good tan in a tanning bed must first get a base tan, which is a deep, below the surface tan, which can take about eight sessions, depending on the pigmentation of your skin. If you need to know how to use a tanning bed, how long to stay in the tanning bed, depending on your skin tone, the employees at the tanning salon can assist you.
Obviously, tanners with fair skin should limit exposure to ultraviolet rays emitted by a tanning bed, which are pretty much exactly like the ones emitted by the sun. After building a base tan, the next thing to do is to tan a little bit at a time, to work your way towards the desired skin tone. Ultraviolet light, i.e. the light which is used in tanning beds is a slightly a different strain of the sun's type of ultraviolet rays, but because the rays are more concentrated, customers need to keep their visits short. This is the most important thing when considering how to use a tanning bed. It is in your best interests to ask for advice, and to trust the professional who is supervising your experience.
Two of the most important things to take into consideration when considering using a tanning bed are to a) wear protective goggles and b) apply liberal amounts of tanning lotion or lotions. Human eyes are extremely sensitive to ultraviolet light, and due to the concentration of the ultraviolet rays used by tanning beds, the eyes are immediately susceptible to harm. Sunglasses, once thought as acceptable protection, are absolutely, positively not to be used to protect your eyes. Using goggles specifically designed for tanning in tanning beds is the best overall idea, because goggles of this type are created specifically to protect against UV rays.
Regarding lotions, you need to consider moisture and tyrosine. Moist skin tans better, not to mention more evenly, than dry skin. This isn't ground-breaking knowledge, but most people don't moisturize enough. By moisturizing you are slowing and/or retarding the exfoliation process. Doing this effectively you will receive a good tan, so finding a proper moisturizer is absolutely essential. Tyrosine, an amino acid that assists production of melanin, which controls the skins pigmentation, is also an element in selecting the proper lotion. Tyrosine allows your body to maintain melanin levels longer, and will assist in the retardation of the exfoliation process.
If you need to know more about how to use a tanning bed, or desire someone to teach you how to use a tanning bed, consult a local specialist.
Tanning still remains popular for:
Young adults and teens want to attract the opposite sex
Getting ready for a summer trip
Bodybuilders tanning for competitions
Heliotherapy for seasonal depression
So, whatever your reason, you want to see how indoor tanning can work for you. You want to understand how to use a tanning bed. Understand that there are essentially two types of tanning units to choose from, tanning booths and beds. The option of bed versus booth may be limited by the units in use at tanning saloons in your area. Check with the cashier of your selected tanning salon which of their packages will work best for your tanning goal.
Learn from the attendant which tanning lotion will be best for you as well. There are just as many different tanning lotions as exist skin types and tanning goals.
After you have paid for your tanning package, the cashier will assign a tanning bed and a room.
Once you're in your room, secure and lock the door, and take off your clothes. You can keep the bare essentials on if you're afraid of being walked in on or roasting your parts. But, if you're hoping to darken evenly, you should get used to the idea of tanning naked to prevent leaving tan lines.
How to use a tanning bed: Apply tanning lotion all over your body, but not your face, since it can cause acne. Raise the top of the tanning bed or open the tanning booth door, depending upon which one you're using.
Now, if you're using a tanning bed, you might want to position a pillow or towel under your head to make things more comfortable. You might also want to turn on your iPod and the fan. Things will get pretty warm when this things heat up.
If your hair is long, you should put your hair up using a scrunchy or clip. This will ensure that your lush mane doesn't block the tanning lamps and ensure that you don't wind with odd tan lines on your face.
Next, most importantly, use the goggles provided by the tanning salon during the entire time that the tanning bed/tanning booth is in operation. The UVA/UVB light from tanning lights is so strong that it can cause cataracts if you're not wearing tanning goggles. Closing your eyes is not enough. Your eyelids are so thin that the enough of the energy will go right through them and still cause irreparable damage.
Finally, turn on the tanning unit. You might have to press a "start" button or a timer to set, depending upon how your tanning salon works. If you're just starting tanning and are fairly pale, your first few visits should be from six to ten minutes. After a while you can build up to as high as 30 minutes per session.
Whether you use a bed or a booth, once the timer runs out, the lights will turn off, indicating that you've been roasted to tanned beauty. Open the lid or door, take off your protective eyewear, and clean off the lotion and sweat with a towel. Dress yourself and gather your things!
Don't forget to collect your tunes as you leave. Don't shower for the rest of the day; some soaps can work against your tan if you use them too soon after tanning. Now that you know how to use a tanning bed, you're good to go for a healthy, radiant tanning bed tan.
Both Peter Vermeeren & Aaron Andrews are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.