1. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. There are certainly tanning bed safety concerns but as with anything common sense will go a long way to keeping you safe. Tanning precautions How often have you heard someone say its not safe to use a tanning bed, or youll get skin cancer. If you want to particularly tan the skin underneath your arms, lift your arms over your head for a few minutes to tan. By Dr. Daniel Glass. Here's how to enhance and prolong your sun tan without damaging your skin. Ask what kind of cleaner the staff uses on the beds. I'm pretty pale, spray tan just never seems to look just right... firstly, i don't tan easily like some people. Tanning beds utilize bulbs that give off both UVA and UVB rays. ", "I have never used a tanning bed. Toxicity 101: Ingredients & Understanding Labels for Cleaning Products. obviously i wouldn't do it too often.. but maybe at the start of summer to not be my pasty self lol. Once you have done this a couple of times, you can increase your session time to between 15-20 minutes. Tanning beds are not safer than the sun – The notion that it is safer to tan in a sunbed compared to tanning in the sun is incorrect. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued advice on the health risks associated with UV tanning equipment, such as sunbeds, sunlamps and tanning booths. From the odd-looking eyewear to the oft-cited health risks, there’s a lot to take in. I started using a tanning bed in my mid-20’s and I have never regretted it. Some recommended products may use affiliate links. Exfoliating helps prepare your skin before you tan. Tanning beds do not help hide stretch marks – Tanning in a tanning bed might make stretch marks more visible. Getting a base tan cannot prevent sunburn. You can reduce tanning bed side-effects, including risks of any damage to your skin, eyes and other concerns by paying attention to the following tanning beds safety tips. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages your skin, whether the radiation comes from tanning beds or natural sunlight. If your skin feels particularly dry, rehydrate it by generously applying moisturizer. I've loved tanning ever since I was pretty young. They help to give the body a nice golden texture and are very popular among adolescents. You need to start your tanning schedule slowly, to avoid being sunburned. Makeup can prevent your face from tanning or cause uneven tanning. While you will never be able to fully protect your skin from damage when using a tanning bed, there are ways to lessen the damaging effects, and to leave your skin nourished and glowing, rather than dry and red. It is not completely true as the former technique produces much more controlled results but the strong ultra violet rays of a tanning bed can cause severe damage in case of negligence. Raccoon Eyes from Tanning – Everything You Should... How To Lighten A Spray Tan – The Best Way. Apply the tanning lotion in a circular motion over your whole body. wikiHow's. No. Tanning beds make your skin age quicker – Those who tan often in the sun or tanning beds will have skin that ages quicker. The fewer clothes you wear, the more complete tan you will have. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Remember, inside tanning booths only emit alpha ultraviolet rays (UVA), so it is better to learn how to use tanning booth safely. I find that if I don't, I get an untanned streak on my sides. If you are worried about having to flip and rotate your body inside of a tanning bed, book an appointment for a vertical tanning booth. You can’t just show up to your tanning appointment unprepared. It is necessary to cover your head as UV radiation adversely affects hair and makes your hair dry and fragile. The thing is you need to learn how to do is not just safe tanning, but safer tanning. Use a moisturizer or tan extender after. Never wear contact lenses while tanning as they can dry out or damage your eyes. You should only use a tanning lotion which has been specially designed for tanning beds. Both the sun and tanning beds emit UVA and UVB rays. So how can you sunbathe safely in a tanning bed? A tanning lotion will help you build a tan faster in a shorter period. Not only will these outdoor products not be effective, but the compounds might actually damage the tanning equipment. Can I go to a tanning salon if I have skin cancer? They found use of the tanning beds before age 35 boosted the risk of melanoma by 75%. How many times in a week should you tan in a bed? Self-tanning lotions can be found at most drugstores, or they can be ordered online. Once you’re sure that the power is off, you can now start taking the tanning bed apart. Although using tanning beds is a great way to maintain a gorgeous tan throughout the year, it is critical that customers know how to use these devices safely. Many of you have been asking questions about the sun and the effects that it has on your skin. Tanning beds offer a quick and easy solution to getting a natural tan, without having to step foot outside. All Right Reserved. Do so carefully in order to remove the layer of dead skin. I used a tanning bed for a few times and surprisingly the effect was the same, the acne cleared. However, you can make your tanning bed experience as safe as possible with a few key pieces of knowledge. Hi girls, I know that we love tanning but we have to know how use an Indoor Tanning Bed Safely. Tanning beds and sun lamps emit the same ultraviolent (UV) light linked to skin damage that radiates from natural sunlight. Tanning beds use UV radiation to damage the DNA of your skin cells, causing a tan. Just ask at the receptionist, they will be sure to have something for you! Should I take off my make up before going on a tanning bed? If you’re still not getting enough vitamin D, consider taking a … If you have a base tan, you can still burn. This allows for safe exposure time, but you will still be able to build a dark tan over time. If you have a base tan or darker skin, your tanning time can be as long as 20 minutes. Read how customers like the tanning service and cleanliness of the place. You either stand or lie down in a tanning bed to be exposed to the bulbs. However. Exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, premature skin aging and eye damage. Exposing your skin to UV rays of any sort can increase your chances of developing skin cancer. Once your skin is perfectly prepped to go into the tanning bed, there are a few more things to remember to tan safely. Things Required: – UV goggles – Sunscreen Lotion – Small Clean Towel – Bikini / Shorts / Underwear. Questions continue to rise about the safety of tanning beds, specifically beds that only emit UVB rays. Advice about using sunbeds. Avoid making embarrassing mistakes on Zoom! This makes tanning beds and sunbathing equally dangerous methods of tanning. Should I shave before using a tanning bed? One must follow the tanning bed safety tips mentioned in this article to get the look they want, without getting 'burnt'! If you burn easily, consider using an alternative method. You may have prepped your skin well, and paid great attention to keeping your skin safe while in the tanning bed, but you still have to put some work in once your tanning session is done to keep your skin protected, hydrated, glowing, and allowing your tan to stay around for longer before fading. Do not enter a tanning bed unless you have eye protection. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Millions of Americans use tanning beds (sometimes called sunbeds) or sunlamps to maintain a year-round glow—or, increasingly, to get more vitamin D, which is produced when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, as from sunlight.Some sunlamps are marketed specifically for vitamin D … Other than drying out your skin, self-tanners are a much safer option for obtaining a gorgeous tan without the damage done by UV rays. In emergency rooms across the United States, people are treated for burns, loss of consciousness, and eye injuries caused by indoor tanning. Use a washcloth, hand towel, or tanning stickers provided by the salon to cover your nipples and genitals for most of your tanning session. I'm pretty pale, spray tan just never seems to look just right... firstly, i don't tan easily like some people. This is especially important for those with light skin tones. Most tanning salons have a variety of bed styles available, and each use a different method to tan your skin. The UV rays will also yellow acrylic nails, so ask a staff member if they have coverings you can use to protect them. Then, lay on your back in the bed with your knees slightly bent and your arms to the sides. Let us try to explain why. Do not spend longer than necessary in the tanning bed, and be sure to keep your skin hydrated in the days and weeks following your tanning-bed time. This article has been viewed 1,636,046 times. Since you clearly have skin that is prone to skin cancer, you really should avoid using tanning beds for the rest of your life. ", "This was very helpful to me, thank you.". Some of the most common types of skin cancer are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. These are the 7 tanning tricks and tips from doctors and dermatologists that you need to follow this summer 2019. Tanning beds do not give off enough vitamin D – You cannot get the recommended dose of vitamin D from tanning beds, they emit mostly UVA rays, but your body needs more UVB rays to make vitamin D. To make up for this, you should consume a healthy diet. Your Indoor Tanning Regime Skin Type 1: Limit tanning to very short sessions, no longer than 1 minute for your first 3 sessions. Creating Signage and Assuring Spa Safety. After receiving your tan, wait at least 24 hours to resume your normal beauty and skin care routine. Avoid using harsh soaps that will dry out or coat your skin with a residue. Whether you have been using a tanning bed for quite some time, or are looking to start developing a brown tone in a tanning bed, these tips are so important to ensure your skin is kept as healthy and protected as possible. Tanning beds should be thoroughly cleaned after every use. 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