Indoor Tanning Tips

Using Eye Protection In Tanning Beds

2009-07-08T23:00:00.005-04:00

One of the biggest mistakes that people make, myself included, is not protecting their eyes when tanning in a tanning bed, or even outside for that matter. I have to admit, that I am guilty of this myself. When I was younger, I didn't like the way I got white circles around my eyes from wearing tanning goggles in the tanning beds, so I just thought closing my eyes was good enough. Then other times I would wear them for half the time of my session and keep them off for the other half of my session.

Now that I am older and a little wiser, I always wear eye protection in the tanning bed. They even have super skinny tanning goggles, to cover the least amount of your eye, while still protecting your eyes from the harmful UV light. Also, some tanning salons offer stickers, I believe these are called "Wink-ease", that are specially made for your eyes. They kind of fold into a cone type shape and stick to your eyes, they work absolutely wonderful for showing no signs of white,"raccoon eyes", they are sometimes called. If all fails and you still feel like you have white circles around your eyes, use some sort of bronzer or make up, even a face moisturizer with a touch of sunless tanner in it.

Over exposure to UV light can cause great damage to your eyes if not protected,and believe it or not, just closing your eyes is not enough.

Here are eight facts about using eye protection in a tanning bed, that you must read.

1. Your eyes can get sun burnt! Tanning with no eye protection can cause red, itchy or watery eyes. These symptoms are all indications of short-term eye damage.
2. You can damage your eyes in just one tanning session! Even just one tanning session, without protecting your eyes, can be enough exposure to cause you short-term eye damage.
3. Two common forms of sunburned eyes
- Photokeratitis (a temporary corneal burn which causes tearing, pain and blurring for several days).
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (delicate eye tissue becomes damaged causing swelling and redness in and around the eye)
4. Closing your eyes is not protecting them! Your eyelids naturally block less than 25% of harmful UV rays from your eyes, and this will not protect you well enough.
5. You may also be at risk from eye disease. Sharing eye protection is one of the main ways that eye infections such as conjunctivitis are spread. Eye protection that isn't disposable is less hygienic and runs the risk of becoming contaminated.
6. Repeated exposure to UV light without eye protection can also cause long-term and even permanent eye problems.
7. Some damage caused to your eyes is irreversible! Long-term damage caused to your eyes include Diminished Color Perception (your sight will be dulled) and Reduced Night Vision. There is no cure for these.
8. Long-term exposure to UV light without eye protection seriously increases your probability of developing a cataract. This causes severe pain and even blindness. Surgery is the only cure for cataracts.

Wearing eye protection when you tan is one of the most important indoor tanning tips that there are. I hope this article convinces some of you to cover up those eyes. I know that when we're young we don't feel like we need to worry about things like this, but believe me, in a few short years you'll be wishing you had done a few things differently, don't make "wearing eye protection while tanning" one of them.

Tanning Beds

2009-06-29T22:23:00.004-04:00

Using a tanning bed allows you to have a bronze body all year around, without worrying about spending all of your time in the sun. Tanning beds also let you control the intensity and the amount of light that you are exposed to.

Tanning beds really started gaining popularity in the United States in the 1980's. They were discovered by a scientist from Germany, named Friedrich Wolff. That is where the famous Wolff tanning beds originated.

There are basically two ways to tan, in a tanning salon or in the convenience of your own home. Home tanning beds can easily be purchased. You can purchase a tanning bed from an online retailer, direct from the manufacturer or some local stores will carry tanning beds. It is important that when purchasing a tanning bed for home use, that you get one that is specifically designed to be used in a home, verses one that is designed to be used in a salon.

There are many different tanning beds available. The most popular is the lay down tanning bed. There are also the stand up tanning booths. There is always some sort of protective cover usually made of Plexiglas, over the actual tanning bulbs.

Tanning beds are made to be quite comfortable. Some come with a variety of features, including cooling fan, radio, misting fan and some even have air conditioning or aroma therapy to make your tanning experience as enjoyable as possible.

The type and number of tanning bulbs used in a tanning bed vary from bed to bed. Some beds have 48-60 UV bulbs that are each 100 watts. Other beds are designed to hold 24-46 UV bulbs that are between 100-160 watts each. The number and type of bulbs each bed uses, depends on the size and style of the tanning bed.

How Does Your Skin Tan?

2009-06-24T00:03:00.005-04:00

Whether you tan outdoors under the sun or tan indoors in a professional tanning salon, the tanning process is the same. This natural process takes place when your skin is exposed to ultraviolet light. Here is an overview.

Light is composed of energy waves that travel from the sun to the Earth. Light can be broken into three general categories: infrared, visible and invisible. Ultraviolet light is in the invisible light spectrum.

There are three kinds of ultraviolet light: UVA, UVB and UVC. Two of those categories, UVA and UVB, are used in indoor tanning equipment.

Indoor tanning equipment is designed to replicate UVA and UVB produced by the sun, but tanning lamps emit the light in carefully controlled and government-regulated combination's. As a result, the user has control over their exposure. That’s why people face greater risk of overexposure tanning outdoors than they do by using indoor tanning equipment.

Tanning itself takes place in the skin’s outermost layer, the epidermis. There are three major types of skin cells in your epidermis: basal cells, keratinocytes and melanocytes. All play different roles in the tanning process.

Everyone has roughly the same number of melanocytes in their bodies—about 5 million. Your heredity determines how much pigment your melanocytes can produce. Melanocytes release extra melanosomes whenever ultraviolet light waves touch them. This produces a tan in your skin.

The tanning process is your skin’s natural way of protecting itself from sunburn and overexposure. Calling a tan “damage to the skin” isn’t telling the whole story. Your skin is designed to tan to protect itself.
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Beware Of Hidden Cameras In Tanning Salons

2009-06-23T00:36:00.000-04:00

Having a home tanning bed is not possible for everyone and so people often go to a tanning salon instead. Lately there have been a lot of reports of hidden cameras being placed in these tanning salons.

Spy cameras are hidden in tanning salons by the owners to capture naked photographs of the customers. There have been many cases reported to police of the illegal use of hidden cameras in tanning salons having tanning beds.

If you have a tanning bed at your home then it is no problem to tan naked or undress for the tanning session but, many people prefer to go to tanning salons for getting that great brown tan. The reason why people prefer to go to tanning salons is that they are able to get expert advise and guidance there. Also there's not all the maintenance that goes along with owning an indoor tanning bed.

For indoor tanning at a tanning salon, the customer often takes off most of their clothes or even some tan naked. The knowledge of this has been misused by some crooked tanning salon owners or staff. They get pictures of the customer tanning naked and make money by selling the pictures online or to other dealers of this type of business. Police have busted many cases of this kind and have gotten a hold of the pictures of innocent naked girls which the customer had no knowledge about.

So, if you intend to tan in a tanning salon then take the necessary precautions:

* Before you undress, look out properly for the type of room you are in. If you find anything suspicious, check it out properly.
* Watch out for the frame of the tanning bed. There should be no holes present. Even tanning beds could carry hidden cameras . So, check out the tanning bed properly!
* Going to a reputed tanning salon, this reduces the risk manifold. So, opt for a reputed salon instead.
* if you find anything out of the ordinary, let the police know about it so that they can carry out the necessary action.

Taking care of these things is important to carry out on your end. It is a precautionary measure to ensure a safe tan for yourself and others. However, you need not get scared of tanning salons because of this, because most indoor tanning salons are safe. Just wanted to make it known that this is becoming more and more common.

The 5 Different Types Of Indoor Tanning Lotion

2009-06-17T16:52:00.000-04:00

If you have decided that you are going to go the indoor tanning route then you must use some type of indoor tanning lotion. Going in a tanning bed with out using a tanning lotion just is'nt going to give you the full effect. It's worth it, to invest a few extra bucks in a good tanning lotion.

Indoor Tanning Lotions are broken up into generally about 5 different categories. They can, however be mixed together, for instance you can get an indoor tanning lotion with both a tingle factor and a bronzer in it, you see what I'm saying?

So I've put together a list of the different kinds of indoor tanning lotions that are available. Depending on your personal preference and skin type you can choose which tanning lotion is right for you. This should help you decipher between the different characteristics you see on your tanning salon shelf.

1. BASIC ACCELERATOR: These indoor tanning lotions are great for a beginning tanner with exceptionally pale or sensitive skin. Many of these have great anti-aging elements in them like CoQ-10. If you have especially dry skin, look for an aloe based formula with moisturizing hemp seed oil in it.

2. BRONZER: These are by far the most popular tanning lotions on the market. A few years ago, tanning companies stopped calling lotions bronzer and started competing to see "how many" bronzers they could fit into one lotion, thus hiking their prices to reflect their new breakthrough formulas. However, don't be fooled. There are still just two types of bronzers: immediate and delayed. Either way, make sure that you apply these lotions evenly and wipe your hands off as soon as you are done to avoid streaking your skin.

3. TINGLE: These feisty little lotions pack a lot of punch for a beginning tanner. Even the most frequent tanner can have trouble using tingle. These indoor tanning lotions stimulate your skin, causing it to redden and become irritated. This effect can last for hours and result in an uncomfortable burning and itching feeling. If you have small children, make sure you rinse off before touching them as these lotions can make them miserable. Despite all of these bad side effects, tingles remain the most effective tanning lotions. Combine them with a good bronzer, and you are sure to have a beautiful, dark tan in no time.

4. FACIAL TANNERS: The skin on your face is thinner and more sensitive than the rest of your body. Most indoor tanning lotions are not designed to be applied to your face. Opt for a special tanning lotion just for the face. Or, better yet, apply SPF to protect the face from tanning, and just use a great make-up bronzer to achieve a nice glow.

5. AFTER-TAN MOISTURIZERS: These tanning lotions are promoted as add-ons to your lotion purchase. They do a great job, but you can find better ones than the bottles that line your shelf at the local tanning salon. Any non mineral-oil based moisturizer will do, just make sure to apply it within five minutes of getting out of the tanning bed.

Paint It Black Tanning Lotion 50X Extreme Silicone

2009-06-17T16:20:00.000-04:00

If you’re looking for an indoor tanning lotion product to build you an even darker base tan then Paint It Black will take you there. It goes on silky smooth, without the stickiness and helps you achieve that super dark tan you’ve been wanting.

This indoor tanning lotion works good for darkening those areas that are hard to tan at a much faster rate than other leading indoor tanning lotions. The Paint It Black Tanning Lotion has special ingredients which help more UV light penetrate and produce melanin and the silicone emulsion makes your skin feel smooth after tanning.

Here are some of the best features of – Paint It Black 50X Extreme Silicone Auto Darkening Tanning Lotion

■Use Paint It Black Indoor Tanning Lotion to get a dark tan faster
■Silicone emulsion formula helps keep your skin smooth
■Special ingredients help to produce faster tanning
■One of the most popular indoor tanning lotions on the market

This is personally one of my favorite indoor tanning lotions. The best part about this tanning lotion is the price. You can find Paint It Black 50x on Ebay and Amazon.com for a pretty reasonable price. So if your on a tight budget this is definetly the indoor tanning lotion for you. Even if your not watching your purse strings, which most of us are these days, you can't get a much better tanning lotion. I love this indoor tanning lotion!

Certain Medication and Indoor Tanning

2009-06-15T02:32:00.000-04:00

An important factor to be aware of if you are planning on tanning in a tanning bed or outdoors is that some types of medications increase photosensitivity in our body. This means that our skin develops a tendency to show increased sensitivity when exposed to sun or tanning beds. Some types of medicines can cause a serious sun burn.

Drug-induced photosensitivity manifests itself mostly in the form of prominently visible sunburn. Important point is that not always are we aware that our body has developed this photosensitivity until later when it's too late and we're sun burnt.

The main reason for this condition is the intentional or unintentional application or consumption of skin-affecting products and medication. The visible signs of such a reaction emerge when the skin comes in contact with ultraviolet radiation in the form of an indoor tanning bed. The severity of sunburns is another sign of our skin becoming photosensitive. At this stage, people develop rashes in areas that were exposed to the sun.

Care should be taken if you plan to go in an indoor tanning bed. In that case you should definetly tell the tanning salon administrator about your skin's photosensitivity. A suitable solution would then be found out for you.

If you are those who like the color of your skin tanned but find yourself at a stage where you need to take medication or topical products, then it is better to consult your physician about the photosensitive reaction of these medications and indoor tanning beds. He/she is the best person to tell you more about both prescription and non-prescription drugs, cosmetics, shampoos, herbal and other similar products. Sometimes your prescription can be changed or altered. Unfortunately in some cases you might have to stop or limit your indoor tanning.

Drug-induced photosensitivity can occur in anyone. However, some have a higher risk, those are people who have a fair complexion, have light brown, red, or blonde hair, have green or blue eyes, and who do not tan because of quick sunburns. If one has a history of severe sunburn(s), then too the risk of developing photosensitivity is increased.

The medications that you need to watch out for, include drug types like antihistamines, contraceptives (oral & estrogens), coal tar and derivatives, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, psoralens, phenothiazines, sulfonylureas, sulfonamides, thiazide diuretics, tetracyclines, and tricyclic antidepressants.

Don't get alarmed if your taking a medication that I just mentioned. Just talk to your docter or pharmacist about it. Remember everyones body is different and reacts to things differently. If you are using an indoor tanning bed and are on a medication use precaution. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Indoor Tanning Bronzers

2009-06-14T23:18:00.000-04:00

One of the very popular types of indoor tanning lotions is an indoor tanning bronzer. Some indoor tanning bronzers have a very high level of bronzer in it, while others have a low amount. Both are fine just depending on what type of skin you have and whether or not you are an experienced tanner with a good base tan or just starting out.

If you want to quickly get a dark tan or darken your existing tan then indoor tanning bronzers are great for you. Bronzers will give you a nice natural tan without having to spend as much time in the sun or under those UV lights. This can be very beneficial to the long term health of your skin.

There are a few guidelines you should follow when you use bronzers. Here are a few easy to follow instructions that will help get the best tan out of your bronzer.

1) Only apply specifically made facial bronzers to your face – As your face is the most visible part of your body and one of the most sensitive parts, a specifically designed facial bronzer should be used. If you use a normal tanning bronzer on your face, your face may not look as natural as it should. Facial tanning lotions with bronzer are specifically designed to give your face a nice natural healthy dark tan. (Sometimes I do cheat on this step. I don't always have the money to buy a special facial tanning lotion, but I wouldn't recommend doing this until you are very experienced with your tanning lotion bronzer. And by all means if you can afford to get the face stuff, do it! The outcome is well worth it.)

2.)Make sure the bronzer is applied evenly – If indoor tanning bronzers are not applied evenly they can cause some streaking. This usually occurs in tanning lotions with high concentration of DHA (DiHydroxAcetone), the substance used to bronze your skin. The best way to avoid this is to start tanning with only a low level bronzer. Then once you have a solid base tan try using a higher bronzer formula.

3) Only use quality name brand bronzers – If you want to avoid an unnatural tan it is recommended that you only use high quality brand name indoor tanning lotions. This is because some of the cheaper lotions contain low quality bronzer or too high of a percentage of DHA. When these low quality lotions are used streaking can occur or your skin starts to look orange.

4) Don’t have a shower for 4 hours after you tan in a tanning bed– As the oxidizing process of the bronzer can take several hours. The chemical reaction that occurs between the DHA and your skin can take up to four hours, so for best results one should wait a while before hopping in the shower.

5) Wash your hands after applying the bronzer – If you want to avoid turning your hands extra dark or an unnatural orange color, it is recommended that your wash your hands after applying bronzer.

6) Maintain you tan by continuing to use bronzers regularly – As the bronzing process is only temporary, if you stop using bronzers while tanning you may lose the darkened results. For best results with bronzers it is recommended that you continue to use bronzer tanning lotions. If you stop using a bronzer tanning lotion once you get the results you want, it will eventually start to fade.

Personally a bronzer tanning lotion is my favorite type of indoor tanning lotion. I especially recommend it for people with fair skin. Usually people with fair skin don't get that deep brown color that darker skinned people can achieve so easily. This can be accomplished for us very pale people too, just by using a bronzer tanning lotion!

Pregnancy and Tanning

2009-06-11T22:22:00.000-04:00

Even though you are sporting that special pregnancy glow now, you desire that glorious glow the sun's rays give you. You may have to wait until after the baby is born to get that overall great looking tan again. Pregnancy and tanning don't necessarily mix very well.

We've all known for years that tanning from the sun can cause skin cancer. While pregnant you want to stay as healthy as possible so that you have a healthy baby.

While there are no studies currently that say tanning by the sun's rays outside and using a tanning bed are harmful to an unborn baby, it is best to stay safe to have a healthy baby. There are not enough tests done to prove that indoor tanning or tanning outside is completely safe for an unborn child.

Although some doctors are in agreement that the UVA and UVB rays emitted by the bulbs in tanning beds can be as dangerous as the rays of the sun to human skin tissues, those rays do not penetrate far enough into the body to harm a fetus.

However, some mid-wives, obstetricians and gynecologists do have some concerns about pregnancy and tanning beds. During the first trimester of pregnancy, these health experts do not advise pregnant women to indulge in any activity that might raise their body temperature such as hot tubs, saunas and tanning beds.

The overheating of the mother's body (also called hyperthermia) is associated with some spinal malformations. It should also be noted that typically hyperthermia develops after the mother's body is exposed to temperatures of 102 Fahrenheit or more for several hours.

Fortunately, government regulatory standards in the United States typically limit the maximum temperature for commercial tanning devices to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, there does not seem to be any reported incidents of hypothermia related to pregnancy and tanning beds.

Still,when it comes to pregnancy and tanning beds, there has been a suggested link between ultraviolet rays and folic acid deficiency. Folic acid is responsible for preventing neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

Some health experts also maintain that the skin of a pregnant mother is more sensitive to ultraviolet rays and may be at a greater risk of acquiring unexpected sunburn. Another problem with trying to get a great tan during pregnancy is that the sun can cause melosma or make it worse. Commonly referred to as the mask of pregnancy, melosma can develop anytime during pregnancy, but can be brought on by the sun, and sometimes made worse. Melosma appears on the face, particularly on the cheeks, the forehead the upper lip and the nose. The mask of pregnancy can become more prominent and darker when exposed to the sun

If you do decide to get an indoor tan, doctors also recommend staying as cool as possible and drinking plenty of fluids to avoid light-headedness and dehydration.

Most salon owners are aware that tanning bed technology is relatively new and that very few studies have been done on the effects of tanning beds and pregnancy. This is also why most reputable salons require a note from a doctor before offering a tanning session to pregnant individuals.

Tanning Pills

2009-06-09T18:06:00.000-04:00

Having that sun-kissed look year round can take years off your appearance, and can even make you look more vibrant, healthier, and slimmer. Unfortunately, spending hours in the sun isn't always something that we have time to do. With our busy schedules in our day to day lives finding an easier and faster way to tan is what we're all searching for. One way some people have chosen to try is with tanning pills, but how safe are they? And how do tanning pills even work?

Sunless tanning products such as creams, lotion and sprays are just one way to achieve a natural-looking tan, but popping a pill to achieve the same effects may be another option.
Are sunless tanning pills as safe and effective as their makers claim? A closer look reveals the truth behind sunless tanning pills:

How Sunless Tanning Pills Work

Sunless tanning pills typically contain a number of vitamins along with pigment-enhancing ingredients such as tyrosine and caretonoid. Tyrosine is an amino acid commonly found in foods such as avocados, fish, chicken, whole grains and pumpkin seeds. Most people get enough tyrosine from their diets, but some people have reported that their skin turns orange with tyrosine supplementation. Results can be further enhanced by exposing the skin to UV rays, and many people take sunless tanning pills before hitting the tanning bed in hopes of boosting that tan.

Caretonoid may also enhance the amount of visible pigmentation on the skin, and colors the layer of fat under the skin’s surface. These tanning pills contain the active ingredient ‘canthaxanthin’ which binds itself to the layer of fat underneath the skin during the darkening process. However, researchers are still trying to determine what the dosage of this supplement is appropriate for human consumption. Dermanetwork.org reports that the amount of caretonoid required to achieve this high level of pigmentation may be dangerous.

Hidden Dangers of Sunless Tanning Pills

Both tyrosine and caretonoid are ingredients that simply ‘color’ your skin various shades of orange, and some formulas may be powerful enough to turn the skin a very dark and unattractive color. Sunless tanning pills are an unregulated dietary supplement, and are not backed by enough scientific studies to be deemed safe; in fact, the Food and Drug Administration has not given these sunless tanning pills its stamp of approval.
The Cleveland Clinic Center for Consumer Health explains highlights some important risk factors involved with sunless tanning pills. Common side effects of these pills include:

Diarrhea
Nausea
Liver damage
Anemia

An Overview Of the Types of Tanning Pills

Canthaxanthin

One of the best-known tanning pills contains a harmless, non-toxic food coloring, Canthaxanthin, a natural organic nutritional supplement. Oficially, canthaxanthin is approved by the FDA, as a vitamin supplement.
USA Food and Drug Administration Department recommends it only for use in small amounts in food coloring. Except food coloring, where the dosage is strictly established and controlled, there is a problem of using canthaxantin in other formulas.
The human body (body fat, more exactly) can't decipher it from pills so it turns into orange instead of a bronze color. Body fat can absorb a certain dosage, until saturation is achieved. Besides, self tannng pills are under suspicion since liver damage, jaundice cases and hepatitis have been detected as side effects. That is why this supplement is not approved as an oral tanner.

Elusun

Another self tanning pill is Elusun, containing betacarotene as an active ingredient. It was produced in France and it was famous a few years ago. This was also a tanning pill passing as a nutritional supplement; those experiencing Elusun were extremely confused about the dosage and about the orange tint they got.

Melanotan-1

Meanwhile, something also working as a self tanning pill, but containing a synthetic derivative, has been created in the labs. Melanotan-1 is a drug and can induce tanning. The drug derives from the natural hormone which controls skin pigmentation. The tablets should be taken only after the meals throughout the day for optimum absorbtion. The dosage has to do with body weight, too. It is said that the pigmentation appears no sooner than in two weeks.
The studies regarding melanotan-1 are inconclusive so far. In fact, none of the self tanning pills have been officially introduced and established.

Bottom line, if you do decide to go with sunless tanning pills make sure that you follow the strict guidelines on the bottle. Always check with your docter or pharmacist if you are taking any other perscription medication. Not for everyone,using these tanning pills can be an effective way of producing a color that may satisfy you. Trial and error is the best way to decide if these tanning pills are for you or if you would rather hit the beach or tanning bed.

Update: I was just informed that Melanotan-1 is not made in pill form. Sorry about that I was mis informed. Thank you-http://melanotan.org/ - afamelanotide

Tanning Bed Rash

2009-06-09T00:38:00.000-04:00

There are risks that are associated with indoor tanning beds, one being a tanning bed rash. There are certain symptoms of a tanning bed rash that you may notice and this may include small, red pimples and blisters that appear on the skin, typically a few days after using the tanning bed.

You can develop a tanning bed rash which is similar to heat rash when you are in a tanning bed because your body gets very warm and irritated. A tanning bed rash can develop when using a tanning bed because of the intense heat generated from the strong tanning bed bulbs, often times within a small tanning room.

Treatment:

The most important thing to do is avoid getting a tanning bed rash to begin with, but since this is not always possible, you will want to be aware of the options that you have in terms of treatment for the tanning bed rash.

There are medicated creams on the market that you can use, and which will help to moisturize the skin and relieve the irritation of the tanning bed rash. If the rash is particularly bad, your doctor may suggest that you use prescription medication for a certain amount of time or that you go to a dermatologist for more severe treatment.

Keep in mind that your tanning bed rash actually may be caused from you taking a medication, so you will want to speak to your doctor and as well to the tanning salon owner to make sure that your medication is not going to cause any problems. Reactions that may occur include blistering or a painful skin rash and so if this does happen you should stop using tanning beds immediately until you have spoken to a doctor or at least until you are done taking your medicine. If it is a medicine that you are permanently taking you will have to find another option.but it is important that you do not continue to go tanning because you will only be making the tanning bed rash worse and this can end up causing you serious problems. Make sure that if you are going to go tanning you take all the necessary precautions and be aware of the dangers and risks associated with it.

Indoor Tanning Tips

2009-06-08T01:05:00.000-04:00

Indoor tanning works, but how well it works often depends on you, the tanner. Follow these tips to get a golden tan with serious staying power:

Avoid the Shower Before and After you Tan

You shouldn't shower right before you tan. Showering can actually strip the body of its natural oils and you want your skin to be as moist as possible to both help the tan develop and prevent your skin from drying out.

Showering right after a visit to the tanning salon is also going to wreak havoc on your tan. A hot shower, soap, and a loofah is a recipe for an exfoliation disaster. So. . .

Don't Exfoliate

Exfoliation actually works to take a tan away. It's great for keeping your skin healthy and fresh-looking, but every layer you scrub away is a layer of tanned skin. Unless you're committed to regular tanning, try to keep the exfoliating to a minimum.

Wear a Shower Cap in the Tanning Bed if Your Hair is Treated

Wear a shower cap if your hair is treated because some of the dyes and chemicals will hurt the acrylic on an indoor tanning bed. Plus, some chemicals may also react with the UV-B rays resulting in possible discoloration. Tan and green outfits may look great in the fall, but for your skin-hair combo, not so much.

Moisturize and Use Lotions

This one should be drilled into your head by now, but it's so critical it's worth saying again and again: always moisturize after you tan . UV lights can dry out your skin and moisturizing can prevent tan-stripping flaky skin.

Tan Naked

Tanning naked is the only way to avoid tan lines. If you're concerned about "certain areas" that may have never seen the light of day, you can use commercial cover ups or a small piece of cloth for protection to protect yourself during your time in the tanning bed.

Change Positions

Laying in different positions will help you tan stubborn areas like your under arms, under your chin/your neck, the inner part of your legs and any other place you have trouble getting the same amount of color as the rest of you. Try putting your hands above your head and tilting your head up to get your neck good and tan without those white lines.

The Best Bronzer for indoor tanning

2009-06-07T17:09:00.000-04:00

The First 100X Strength Bronzer!

I would have to say that the best bronzer on the market right now is BlackOut 100X^TM Bronzing Emulsion. With it's Advanced Bronzing Tanning technology it beats out all the competition! BlackOut 100X contains an exclusive blend of Superior Vitamin Enriched Bronzers, Botanical Extracts and Exotic Oils to achieve the Deepest Bronze Tan! It is said to produce incredible results.

True Bronzing technology:

* Perfect Blend of Bronzers

* Exotic Natural Oils & Extracts

* Superior Tan Technology

Features:

*100X Bronzing Emulsion

*Vitamin Enriched Bronzers

*Botanical Extracts and Exotic Oils

*Skin Rejuvenation and Moisturization Formula

*True Bronzer Technology

BlackOut 100X Contains botanical extracts and exotic oils that will leverage your natural tanning glow and intensify your tan. These extracts also play a crucial part in replenishing your skin to make you feel soft and supple.

Your complexion will experience a dark boost in color along with essential moisturization required for a great healthy tan!

You can pretty much find this at any Tanning Lotion Wholesaler online. I would advise looking around a bit before you actually buy it and do it online it's so much easier. From my experience it costs anywhere from $50 - $ 90. So definitely look around first. Amazon and Ebay are both great places to buy from if your worried about using your credit card over the internet and they also offer good prices too! Good Luck! I hope this post inspired you, I don't think you'll be dis appointed.

The Positive Effects of Tanning Beds

2009-06-07T00:32:00.000-04:00

During my research about indoor tanning I have found some very interesting facts about tanning beds and the effects of the UV light that tanning beds emmit. It seems that there are many proven benefits of spending time in our beloved tanning beds. I got most of my information from UVtalk.com. If you are a regular tanner or even if you just tan for the summer I highly recommend checking this out. All of these statements are proven to be true to the best of my knowledge.

It may come as a surprise to many people that tanning bed use is regulated by the FDA. The government regulates how long a session can be, how often you can tan, and even what the tanning salons are allowed to tell you. Tanning salons can't tell you that exposure to UV light (the type of light produced from tanning beds) actually has health benefits. Some of these benefits include:

UV light is how the body produces vitamin D.
Harvard researchers found that exposure to UV light increases production of a protein that is known to fight cancer.
Even as early as 1940, researchers knew that people who spend time in the sun were less likely to die of cancer than those that spent their time indoors.
Doctors claim that vitamin D requirements can easily be met by oral supplements, but a recent study published in the Oxford Journal of Rheumatology points out that low vitamin D levels are common in people taking 800IU of oral vitamin D3 (the amount recommended as the upper limit.)

While it is true that ultraviolet damages the skin on a cellular level (much like exercise damages muscles on a cellular level), it also triggers the repair mechanism that tells damaged cells to commit suicide.

Also more evidence shows that regular, moderate UV exposure actually helps to PREVENT rather than cause melanoma. One theory is that by exciting the production of vitamin D (not the vitamin D itself, but the process itself) actually helps keep melanoma in check.

So if the doctors know about these positive effects why are they telling you the exact opposite? They don't want you to get melanoma, right? Well according to a study done by Brigham and Women's hospital, the risk of melanoma does not change significantly by where you live. If you live in Atlanta you get more UV exposure than you get if you live in New York but you don't have a greater risk of melanoma.

Hemp Tanning Lotions

2009-06-03T22:53:00.000-04:00

Anymore there are so many indoor tanning lotions to choose from it can make things kind of confusing, especially if you are not familiar with the different ingredients that are used in the label. Well to go over every type of tanning lotion would be long and almost agonizing. So I'm going to focus on one well known type of indoor tanning lotion. Hemp is also gaining in popularity. More and more tanning lotions are using hemp oil as one of their main ingredients. It is normal to wonder if hemp lotions actually have any real benefit or if they are just a fad. The answer is hemp oil is actually a very important ingredient for tanning lotions, in fact it is probably one of the more important.

Hemp oil is a very important factor in indoor tanning lotion because it is a type of humectant. If you are wondering what a humectant is, it is a type of non-oily substance that attracts moisture from the air, retards evaporation, and holds in water or moisture. In other words it, when applied to the skin it will draw moisture from the air and hydrate the skin.The fact that hemp oil hydrates the skin is fantastic because the tanning beds ultra violet (UV) lights are known to be dehydrating on the skin. Also, hemp lotions have a high concentration of essential fatty acids which are known to aid in increasing the effectiveness of absorption of moisture in the skins lipid layers. This will reduce the normal damage caused by tanning, such as the process of drying skin caused my tanning. Which is also why I cannot stress enough that it is very important to use a good moisturizer before and especially after tanning. You can even find an after tanning moisturizer with some sort of hemp in it, which will double the benefit effects.

Not only does tanning lotions made with hemp oil, hydrate the skin and lock in the moisture, it also can amplify the tan in some cases making your tan look darker and more natural. This is because the natural oils of hemp can cause an intensification of the UV rays that penetrate your skin. Also, tanning lotions with hemp have a lot more essential nutrients not found in regular lotions, which will help keep the skin healthy and aid in its overall development.

So are there any negative effects for using tanning lotions with hemp oil? The answer is no. Unless you are one of the rare people who is allergic to hemp seed oil there is nothing to worry about. If you have lots of allergies you may want to test hemp seed oil based lotions on a small portion of skin first. Also, you don’t have to worry about failing a drug test or getting intoxicated by using hemp seed oil tanning lotions. This is because hemp seed oil tanning lotions are drug-free, that is they don’t contain THC.

Overall any type of indoor tanning lotion containing hemp oil is going to be a great choice. It helps to give you that deep, dark, beautiful tan. While at the same time it is going to help aid in fighting the negative affects of indoor tanning in a tanning bed. I hope this helps in choosing the right tanning lotion. Happy tanning!

Tanning Lotion Review: California Tan,Australian Gold,Swedish Beauty &Hemp Lotions just to name a few.

2009-05-21T01:42:00.000-04:00

Indoor tanning lotion reviews tend to be written by companies who manufacture or sell those same products. That means that they are going to be giving biased reviews. It is hard to find an honest tanning lotion review or products, let alone identify the honest ones.You may see some very catchy names that make you want to grab a bottle and start lathering up but before you get inspired by a clever marketing team, get to know the product inside the fancy bottle.First know your level of endurance. Are you an experienced tanner stuck at in a rut and just can't get that beautiful color you desire or have you yet to experience your first trip to a salon.

The best advise can be to read the label. Many will say right on it that it is intended for experienced tanners and you would certainly know if you are or are not, but for those who are new at this you should know that tanning beds and can be intense and the lotions are made to enhance the experience and get you as dark as possible. Indoor tanning lotions can do a number of different things depending on the ingredients in the bottle. Some indoor tanning lotions only moisturize the skin. Other lotions help to develop the tan you are getting from the tanning bed. Some people are confused about the difference between indoor tanning lotions and self tanners, or "sunless tanning lotions". Sunless tanning lotions were not meant for use in an indoor tanning bed. Do ask the tanning salon attendant about which product to use before getting into a tanning bed.

Some are made with "sizzle" which will cause a reddening of the skin that can last from one to several hours, depending on your skin and experience. Sizzle formulas are not intended for the face. Some are made specifically for the face like California Tan's new CT Seven Face.Some are made just for your legs. Other lotions are made for all over with a cooling agent that may make the experience more comfortable since it does get hot under the lamps.Hopefully you are also following your tanning session with a good moisturizer as well. This will make your tan last longer.

The latest CT Seven Bronzer Maximizer Step2 is said to be the best you can get. Whether you are maintaining a fabulous tan or are getting a great base before the summer, California Tan knows tanning and stays consistently at the top of the market. Designer Skin products are also top notch and I recommend them as well. For the those of you who are new at this, take it slow. Tans look best when achieved, gradually by starting with just a few minutes to prime your skin. Use a quality lotion and be sure to moisturize after wards. Understand that 5 minutes can make a difference to skin that never experienced the intensity of the tanning bed before.

Make sure that you stay with quality manufacturers (California Tan, Designer Skin, Australian Gold, Swedish Beauty to name a few). Tanning is an investment in yourself. You'll attract attention with your gorgeous tan and if you work in the public eye, it could even help your career. It may take a few extra minutes and even cost a few extra bucks but honestly, you're worth it!

If tanning bronzers are applied properly the benefits are endless. If you want to quickly get a dark tan or darken your existing tan then bronzers are great for you. Bronzers will give you a nice natural tan without having to spend as much time in the sun or under those UV lights. This can be very beneficial to the long term health of your skin. As it is know that extensive exposure to UV rays can increase your chances of cancer.

A lot more indoor tanning lotions are using hemp oil as one of there main ingredients.Hemp oil is very important because it is a type of humectants. Humectants are a type of non-oily substance that attracts moisture from the air, and holds in water or moisture. In other words it, when applied to the skin it will draw moisture from the air and hydrate the skin.

Total tanning lotions offer their own accelerators, bronzers, and tingle products for that ‘total' tanning package. Total tanning lotion ‘accelerators' moisturize your skin not only to make your tan look natural, and but also to make sure that it stays. Total tanning lotion ‘bronzers,' on the other hand, make your tan ever darker without streaks or discolorations. Total Tan also offers tingle products to give you an instant flushed look and accelerate your tanning process. Just consult with the salon's tanning consultants and you will be walking around with a rich tan in no time.

The Total tanning lotion line likewise comes in three top brands: Australian Gold, Swedish Beauty, and Caribbean Gold. Each brand is popular for different things – and you will surely find one that works.

Australian Gold is probably one of the best-selling indoor tanning lotion brands. Australian Gold blends can give you natural-looking tans that go from light to very dark. Its products are known for making the skin a great ‘canvass' for tanning – after all, the healthier the skin the better it tans.

Swedish Beauty. This brand made it to the Total tanning lotions line because of its reputation for promoting cell regeneration while tanning. All Swedish Beauty products contain vitamins A, B, C and E that all help boost collagen and elastins.

Caribbean Gold. These Total tanning lotions are not only affordable – they also contain all the essential botanical elements, antioxidants, vitamins and special bronzer formulas for people who want the darkest tans – and want them fast. They are also very easy to use, making them favorites.

So there you have it, a few of the top name brand indoor tanning lotions. Now I would suggest trying a few sample lotions at your tanning salon before spending money on something you might not even like. Then go online, somewhere like Amazon.com, they have great prices on many well known products and you know that you aren't going to get ripped off. When buying online always stick with popular stores that you know. If you have any questions at all please ask your tanning salon worker.

Just to let you know I am not getting paid to mention any of the names in this article. So Good Luck and Happy Tanning!

Indoor Tanning Tips

2009-04-17T15:11:00.001-04:00

No matter how hard you try you just can’t get that great indoor tan in a tanning bed? I have the answer. First of all your indoor tanning lotion makes all the difference, there are a few different types of indoor tanning lotions. There are accelerators and there are bronzers. Most likely if you have tried a tingler you got a beet red color and could actually feel your skin burning. They have been shown to work very well though. Personally I can't stand the feeling of my skin burning away from tinglers,although I still use that type of indoor tanning lotion(what does that say?). For light skinned people they will probably give your skin a reddish look, try testing it out on a small portion of skin.

In the shower on the morning you wish to go tanning, specifically indoor tanning, you must use an exfoliant. Exfoliation is extremely important to the overall effectiveness of tanning in a tanning bed. By exfoliating the skin we are able to wash away dry, dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface. Shaving is also an excellent way to "exfoliate" because the razor gets rid of excess dry skin cells as well. Exfoliation is important because it rids dry skin, which can interfere with the tanning process, and also prevents flaking of the skin.

If you have an exercise routine it is a good idea to work out before going tanning. Something with the blood flow and increased circulation, it helps your skin with producing the melanin.

After your shower and exfoliation it is important to moisturize. At this stage, most any moisturizer will work. Moisturizers are most effective on moist, still wet skin, which is why you should immediately apply lotion after stepping out of the shower. This way, it will absorb better into the skin and your skin will retain moisture for longer. This is an important step before tanning because moist skin gets the most effective tanning results. I would like to recommend something with dead sea salts in it, that is my preference.

When you first start tanning you have to start out with a mild tanning lotion such as a bronzer, I like Black Night, Cafe Bronzer and Paint it Black but there are many more out there. Check out my others articles about choosing different types of tanning lotion.

After you develop a base tan you can start my special technique of using a good bronzer of your choice and just applying a little bit of a tingle lotion on your arms and legs and other trouble spots that don't get as tan as the rest of your body.

Finally the last step is to use, not a sunless tanner but more specifically Jergens Natural Glow. It works wonders in trouble areas that don't tan as well, such as under the neck and shoulders and under your arms and arm pits. It also tops off your perfect tan with a beautiful brown glow but don't worry it isn't even that noticeable just as long as you don't go overboard with it.

Good Luck with everything and please feel free to leave me a comment about your experiences or about my blog.