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, versus 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 aromatherapy 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.

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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 without 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.
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