Why do individuals need to tan? People think that if you have tanned skin, you will be more immune to the scorching sun’s prickling heat because your skin is filled with melanin, which helps to keep your skin healthy and safe.
Additionally, there are many ways to achieve the perfect beach-ready body, but not all of them may be feasible. Luckily enough, there is a solution: indoor tanning beds. It’s safe if done correctly; however, there are some precautions to take when using this type of tanning equipment.
How often is too often when it comes to tanning beds? It’s a question that many individuals ask, but the answer isn’t always easy to determine. To get the maximum out of your tanning sessions without damaging your skin, it’s essential to know how often to use a tanning bed and when to take a break.
If you’re curious about “How Does a Tanning Bed Work?” Do these beds give you that wonderful rich bronze look? Keep reading as I’ll give you an informative explanation of the tanning process from UVB rays to its advantages and drawbacks.
Key Takeaways
- Sunbeds should be used in moderation.
- All tanning bed exposure sessions should be closely monitored for skin reactions before using a tanning bed again.
- UVB exposure can help your body produce Vitamin D.
- People who have never tanned outdoors may risk damaging or burning their skin if they use a tanning bed for the first time.
- It is determined by your skin test results and complexion color whether you will require more minutes per tanning session.
- Using a tan accelerator during your tanning session will result in deeper dark skin with less time spent on a tanning bed.
How Do Tanning Beds Work?
Sunbeds are a popular form of sunbathing that produces an artificial tan. The UV lights enter your skin and cause it to release pigment, giving you a golden tan than if the same amount of tanning time spent outside would do so naturally.
It’s important to remember that prolonged exposure to UV rays may increase the chance of developing skin cancer. Also, the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and indoor tanning lights that give you “golden tan” are UVA in type.
UV radiation of this intensity stimulates melanocytes cells in the lower layers of the skin to produce melanin, a kind of dark pigment. Indoor tanners, in general, are created with 95% UVA rays and 5% UVB rays, despite the fact that this may vary depending on the model.
You’ll have the sensation of being out in the sunbathing in a normal light while still feeling comfortable and warm. Indoor heating entails spending some time in front of a variety of tanning tubes that a transparent perspex sheet has covered.
In most sunbeds, there are ten to fifteen tubes. Furthermore, in order for the tanning tubes to produce the desired result, the user must lie or stand as near as possible.
How Often Should You Use A Tanning Bed For The Best Results?
The fastest way to get a nice golden tan is with the use of a stand-up tanning bed. You could be done in just minutes; however, it takes more than one session for the color you want. If you spend extra time in your first go-round, then expect red skin with peeling layers afterward, likewise standard sunburns, which are also painful.
It’s typical to start with a four-to-five-minute tan session at the beginning for a base tan. You may now begin going for somewhat longer indoor tanning sessions each day once you have established a base tan. Wait at least 36-48 hours between sessions.
This is to ensure that your skin’s melanin production develops properly and prevents serious skin ailments. You can go three to four times a week for 30 minutes at a time when you start tanning. After you’ve achieved the brown skin you want, limit yourself to going to the tanning salon once or twice a week rather than more frequently.
One of the most necessary things to remember about tanning is that it can be dangerous if you don’t take care. This shorter session will help maintain your color with less risk of adverse effects.
Different Types Of Tanning Beds
Tanning beds come in many different types and sizes. Low pressure, high-pressure, or tanning booth – it’s all about what you’re looking for.
Traditional beds are low-pressure beds. UV radiation is delivered in a form that is comparable to natural sunshine. Lamps emit color rapidly, but the danger of sunburn is greatest in this sort of bed. If you are susceptible to burns, this bed is not suggested.
On the other hand, higher-pressure beds emit a more significant amount of UVA radiation (UVA penetrates farther layers of skin and promotes tanning, but UVB rays can cause sunburn if utilized excessively.
If you’re looking for a long-lasting tan with little risk of burning, this is the type of bed that will suit your needs. It’s slightly more overpriced than other options, but its benefits outweigh their costs in most cases. Higher-pressure beds are the best choice for people with fair skin or who tans easily.
Booth or stand-up beds are vertical beds that allow you to stay standing instead of lying down. If you’re on a stand-up bed, you may move and arrange your body in any way that will give you a tan (perfect for getting an even tan on the entire body, particularly under your arms or between your legs).
Why Is My Tan Fading?
Below are some of the most ordinary reasons why your tan will fade. If you want to avoid having it happen quickly, make sure not to do any of these things:
- Swimming: It’s excellent for building endurance and health, but prolonged exposure to chlorine and water can strip away your tan. To keep it longer, try not going in too often, or if you must do so, ensure that after each swimming session, there’s plenty moisturizing on top.
- Heading to the sauna or steam room: They are amazing for your skincare routine but ensure that your tan doesn’t fade quickly. You should also try limiting long showers and using cleansers with gentle ingredients instead of harsh soaps, which could strip away all those golden tan.
- Skipping moisturizer: When you forget to moisturize on a daily basis, your skin cells become more exposed and start shedding. This leaves the natural regenerative process behind, with only an unpleasant dryness remaining.
Not good if we want our bronze glow last. So don’t let this happen by hydrating yourself regularly using some sort of tanning lotion or cream.
- Regular long showers: Showering too frequently dehydrates the skin. This, in fact, causes the skin cells to peel faster. Furthermore, it will make your tan look lighter, resulting in very light skin.
- Avoid abrasive skin exfoliators: Exfoliating too much might remove the top layer of skin cells, making your tan fade more quickly.
What Is The Aim Of A Skin Type Survey?
There are particular skin types that have a greater propensity to develop skin cancer and sun damage. This is why it’s critical to figure out your skin types range before you start tanning.
In truth, preventing sunburn at all costs is what reliable tanning means; and as performed by a qualified sunbed operator in a respected tanning salon. Gradually increase your outdoor exposure times depending on your personal skin sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, which is better predicted by skin types.
It is necessary to decide your skin type. Today, most tanning salons provide their clients with information about their skin type, which is good. It’s worth mentioning that skin types fall into one of six categories, ranging from Type 1 to Type 6.
- Type 1: Light, pale white
- Type 2: White, fair skin
- Type3: Medium white to olive skin
- Type 4: Olive, mid-brown
- Type 5: Brown, dark brown
- Type 6: Very dark brown, black skin
Type 1 is for people with light skin that may burn rapidly, whereas Type 6 is for dark skin that might tan faster. The term “best method to tan” refers to how long a person should stay on the tanning bed before gradually increasing their time there.
Furthermore, recommendations vary. Different ultraviolet light bulbs provide varying levels of strength and coverage, so what is ideal in one salon may be completely different in another.
What Is The Minimum Number Of Hours You’ll Need To Invest In Each Tanning Session?
Going for a tanning session, the assistant will usually advise you to stay in the tanning bed for 15 to 25 minutes at a time, then rest your skin for a while or take a refreshing shower. Then repeat the process for a second time, allowing another 15 to 25 minutes before completing the first session.
The length of time you spend tanning per session will depend on the results from your skin test and complexion. When you’re dealing with a skin tag on a tanning bed, the sensitivity and type of the skin are the most important factors to consider.
How Regular Should Your Tanning Intervals Be?
As advised by tanning salon professionals, the patient should wait 36 to 48 hours before getting ready for another tanning treatment. The tan fades over time, especially if the person has pale to dark skin, and therefore the skin may regenerate and eliminate melanin, returning the complexion to its skin tone.
The patient should adhere to a once-to-twice-a-week tanning regimen to prevent this effect, ensuring that the bronze glow is maintained and no severe side effects are produced on the skin.
If the patient contends with their fresh skin and is satisfied with it, they may simply stop tanning and keep this bronze look well-maintained by wearing sunblocks and daily applying moisturizers.
How To Protect Yourself When Indoor Tanning
As a first-time user of the tanning bed, be sure to start with short sessions and work your way up. It is important not to do too much or else risk having adverse effects on health such as burns from overexposure.
It’s also critical to note how your body responds before extending your tanning session. You should always use tanning bed lotion when using a UV lamp. It is not secure to stay in the sun longer than 20 minutes at once, and you will increase your risk for skin aging if too much time passes between tanning sessions.
Furthermore, there are tanning lotions that are mainly meant to protect you from excessive UV radiation, but there are others on the market that are intended to assist people in achieving deep and rich skin tans.
After tanning lotion, you must protect your eyes by wearing tanning goggles; this helps to avoid damage and also aids in the prevention of wrinkles forming around the eyes. However, drinking water is always helpful while you’re tanning.
This will help keep your skin hydrated and reduce the risk of becoming too dry or crinkly during sunbed sessions. Don’t forget to moisturize your skin. Furthermore, beds can help you feel more confident and attractive. Simply make sure that you follow all of the necessary guidelines and precautions.
In reality, tanning bed use can cause cancer. Several instances of individuals who developed skin cancer due to such devices have been reported. But there’s good news: having a better knowledge and understanding of how to utilize a tanning bed correctly can help you avoid many health issues.
Wrapping Up
Tanning beds can be a great way to get that perfect summer glow, but it is important not to overdo it. Excessive UV rays exposure from indoor tanning equipment can lead to skin cancer and premature skin aging.
If you’re worried about tanning bed risks, I recommend that you use it sparingly and be mindful of the frequency with which you visit. The best rule of thumb is to elude more than two indoor tanning sessions a week.
I hope this article has helped answer your questions about how often you should go to a tanning bed.