I'm going tanning...?

Question

I am thinking about going tanning. I'd probably go to a regular tanning salon and use a regular tanning bed. However, I have never been tanning, so how does it work and is there anything I should know? Do I need to wear sunblock?

Answer 1

You dont have to buy any kind of lotions to start. You may want to later, but do a couple of sessions bfore you fork out the money. I put sunblock on my face because it is sensitive and I dont want to be leathery. Eye protection is imperative. Do not start without eye goggles. They should sell them @ the place you are going. Just a couple bucks. And for the love of God, dont go in the first 3 times for more than 8 mins. I know it doesnt seem like a long time, but your skin needs a base level of tanning booth rays. I have heard horror stories from people going in for too long the first time and coming out looking like a lobster. I am a massage therapist and I work @ a gym that also has a tanning salon. One of my clients had a "hookup" with the girl @ the front counter. She gave him some lotion, and let him go in for 15 min. He came out completely burnt. That night and most of the next day, he spent rubbing lotion on his entire body. Not because it was dry, but if he didnt, he said he felt little needles all over his body. Rubbing his skin was the only thing that eased the pain. He had a case of sun poisoning. Dont let the people @ the salon behind the counter trick you. They have no training and while they may be nice people, they might just be wanting the revenue

Answer 2

There are several things you need to know about tanning beds. Sunblock would be counter productive. Moisturizers are essential because tanning dries your skin out. Tanning beds have a maximum limit of 20 minutes per visit. And all salons have a 24 hour rule, meaning you can't tan more than once in any 24 hour period. HOWEVER, tanning that often can be dangerous. You could end up looking like shoe leather, or even worse get you could get skin cancer. I've been using those facilities for about 20 years and I don't have any problems. I start out the season by tanning 3 times a week until I've gotten my base coat, then I drop that down to once a week. Toward the end of the summer I drop that to once very other week. Then in October I stop, all together and don't start again until February. That gives my skin a rest.

Answer 3

don't wear sunblock, you can get a tanner when you get to the salon or where ever you are tanning, take your time when you start out 1st week probably just 5-8 minutes and go up in 2 min. intervals. You do not want to burn! Make sure you use lotion daily dry skin does not tan well. When you rub the tanning lotion in do it in a circle motion or you might get streaks

Answer 4

When you go for your first time make sure you don't go into a very powerful bed and only go in for 12-15 mins. Don't use sun block, but you should use a tanning lotion, just make sure you rub it on as evenly as possible. You'll wanna wait at least 3-4 days before you go tanning again and use a low bed for the first few times until you have a base tan, then you can go into any bed for as long as possible. Just remember to keep your skin hydrated so you keep it healthy, and you'll keep the tan better. Also, don't go twice in one day and you should skip days in between going ... you don't wanna look like a lobster. Have fun, it's very relaxing.

Answer 5

Great! Make sure u buy tanning lotion from the tanning salon. Its meant for tanning beds. The salon employees know how long you can tan for. Take their advice.
Don't shower until hours later, to keep the tan. Moisturize!!!! Bring your own music, they might have a personal stereo in your room. Ask.
Have fun! and relax.

Answer 6

don't wear sunblock. that completely defeats the purpose. buy a good indoor tanning lotion. it keeps your skin hydrated and helps enhance your tan. if you're very pale, only go for a very short amount of time at first. you can probably increase it by a minute or 2 each time you go. make sure to moisturize really well inbetween tanning to make it last longer.

also, buy some makeup removing wipes. your face tans better without makeup. so remove it beforehand. and don't forget to apply the tanning lotion to your face also.

good luck!

ps. bring some tunes!

Answer 7

you already know the health risks, right?
o.k.
after you get out of the shower at home apply some tanning lotion. let it soak into your skin.
go to the tanning salon and get into a room. take off your clothes, apply more tanning lotion. clean the tanning bed yourself (who knows when the last time it was cleaned and how well it was cleaned?). if there's a timer, set it.
the person working there will show you how it works if it's your first time. every salon is different.
enjoy!

p.s. i saw i woman i went to school with the other day. (she tans. i don't). my granddaughter was with me and asked (yes, in front of her) , " gramma , who's that old lady? is that YOUR mom?"
i almost wanted to hide.
we are only 38. and she looks every bit of at LEAST 55-60.

Answer 8

when you go into the place they'll probably tell you how it works, but if they don't then make sure to ask. most beds are different, but on most you just press a button. and make sure to turn the fan on if there is one! some beds are so stinkin hot! don't go for too long. ask the people that work there for their suggestion about how long you should go for. some places have ploicies about what kinds of lotions you should use, but if i were you i would use a sunblock with a low spf like no more than 15. make sure you go to a good place too. some places don't clean their beds or change their bulbs like they should.

Answer 9

There IS Something you should know..
Tanning is increasingly linked to skin cancer is one major cause of skin cancer according to studies and some studies have even proven that it is linked according to scientists..
And you don't wear sunblock.. that's why it is so dangerous..
Just use one of them self-tanning creams on the high street.. they work and are healthy and bring a natural tan to your skin without any damage!

Answer 10

Ask the tanning salon, they should know. They are the professional here. Buy lotion specified for a tanning bed.Start gradually, too much and you will be itchy.