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 Tanning questions & answers!

   

BEFORE TANNING IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE TANNING PROCESS WORKS. THESE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WILL FILL YOU WITH KNOWLEDGE AND HELP YOU TAN MORE SAFELY!

 

"Saying that sunlight is harmful and therefore should be avoided is as misleading as saying that water causes drowning, and therefore we should avoid water" -TanningTruth.com   

 

Q: How does the tanning process work?

A: UVA and UVB rays are both needed to produce a tan. Tanning beds provide both UV rays. Each type of bed has a different ratio of the two rays in order to give a different result. UVB rays signal melanocytes to produce melanin and raise it to the surface. UVA oxidizes the melanin previously produced, turning it brown. UVA also penetrates deeper, lasting longer, which means UVB does not penetrate as deep and is quicker to fade.

 

Q: What is a tingle lotion?

A: As we previously learned, you get darker by the UVA ray oxidizing the melanin in your skin. A tingle gets the blood and melanin flowing in your skin, bringing it to the surface of your skin, this is what causes the reddening effect. By getting everything to the surface of your skin, it causes the melanin to oxidize faster. The more oxygen your melanin is exposed to, the darker it turns. Tingles cause you get to darker than you're normally allowed to get. This lotion is best if people have "plateaued" or they have difficulty tanning a certain body part, ex: legs.Tingles do, however, cause you to get red for a couple hours and its similar to feeling burnt. It does go away within a few hours, though. You should not put tingles on your face! 

 

Q: What kind of benefits does indoor tanning have?

A: There are lots of benefits you can get from indoor tanning. It can help treat Seasonal Affective Disorder, Psoriasis, Acne, Jet Lag, Osteoporosis, Eczema, and even PMS! You can also adjust duration and exposure with indoor tanning which can minimize the risk of sunburn! However, if you are on medication for some skin conditions, you could possibly be very sensitive to UV light, so check with your doctor!

 

Q: Why do I need to use a lotion, and why can't i use normal moisturizers?

A: If your skin is dry, the UV light will refect off of it and if your skin is moisturized, your skin can absorb the UV light. Normal moisturizers and tanning oils can actually cloud and crack our acrylic beds, they also can block the UV rays from penetrating your skin! Our indoor tanning lotions have lots of nutrients and vitamins that actual help you get tanner faster and help you keep your tan longer. We also have lotions that have other benefits such as hemp, silicone, anti-aging, anti-cellulite, etc.

 

Q: Why develop a base tan?

A. Your body's natural protection against the sun is a base tan. The increased melanin surrounds the DNA cells, which helps protect them. Your skin also thickens protecting the layers below the epidermis. Without this protection, sunburn is more likely to occur, therefore damaging the skin cells. Always follow the golden rule of tanning: NEVER SUNBURN!  

 

Q: Tell me about your spray tans!

A: Our SunFX spray tans are done by hand. This ensures that you will get the best coverage possible! Our sprays are made by appointment only, so call and set one up! they last about 4-6 days depending on how well you take care of it!

 

Q: What do I do before and after I get a spray?

A: You need to shave and exfoliate right before your spray! After your spray is done, you cannot shower or work out for a few hours. Wait as long as you can! The first shower will even out your tan. Do not exfoliate in the shower and instead of wiping your skin dry, just pat dry! Also, keep your skin moisturized!

  Q: Can I tan if I’m pregnant?

A: The heat can disturb you and your growing baby but the rays will not penetrate deeper than the layer of skin named the Dermis. Make sure to consult your physician before continuing to tan.

 

Q: Does the temperature of the bed matter?

A: No, the temperature of the tanning bed will not effect the tanning process taking place. The bulbs and wattage within the bed will be what causes a difference.

 

Q: What causes my skin to smell after tanning?

A: Melanin! A natural side effect of melanin production is the smell. Some lotions have ingredients in them that will help reduce the smell, but a shower will definitely contribute to removing such smell.

 

Q: What are these white spots on my skin?

A: What you're experiencing is probably Tinea Versicolor, a common skin condition caused by a fungus on the scalp that falls and leaves bleached spots on the chest, back, arms, and other areas. This can usually be treated by using Selsun Blue or Head and Shoulders shampoo. If your case is more moderate, your doctor can prescribe certain medication to help treat it.

 

Q: Why do I have to wear eye goggles while tanning?

A: Your eyes can become permanently damaged from UV exposure without the right protection. Eyelids only block about 25% of UV. Without eye protection, you can lose your night vision and color perception. A towel offers NO protection for your eyes.  

 

Q: What can I do to get rid of raccoon eyes?

A: If you move your goggles around slightly while tanning and make sure all makeup is removed from your face you can help eliminate tan lines.

 

Q: I just got a new tattoo, is it okay to tan?

A: You should not tan until your tattoo is completely healed. When you first get a tattoo, they inject chemicals that can make you very sensitive to light. After the tattoo is healed, you can tan. However, after a while your tattoo may fade. You can prevent this by using lip balm, sunscreen, or a tattoo stick. Remember, it can fade by tanning indoor AND outdoor!

 

Q: Do I need to burn to start a base tan?

A: Absolutely not! To tan smartly you should never sunburn. Tanning is similar to everything else and should be done in moderation and without overexposure. Do not expose red skin to more sunlight. This can permanently damage the skins ability to repair itself.

 

Q: Should I shower after tanning?

A: Showering will not wash away your tan. However, if you are using a lotion with an added bronzer it may be good to wait, as to not wash away the sunless tanner, but you only need to wait a few hours. If you use an accelerator lotion, you do not need to worry about waiting to shower.

 

Q: Why does my tan fade?

A: Your tan goes on the top layer of the skin, the epidermis. Your skin cells die and flake off, and are replaced by new cells that aren't tanned. The cycle usually lasts around 30 days.

 

Q: What do I do if my sunburned skin peels?

A: At the first sign of peeling, you should take a cold shower to calm the inflamed skin and slow down the peeling process. Do not rub the skin or peel it! You need to keep the skin moisturized with either lotion or aloe vera. Stay hydrated!