How to Use a Tanning Bed
Go to your local tanning salon and ask about the programs they have., Take a tour., Fill out a skin analysis form., Get goggles., Avoid tyrosine-based tanning accelerators, lotion, tanning enhancers/tingles or pills., Go to your room., Put on your...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Go to your local tanning salon and ask about the programs they have.
Most salons have a variety of beds available with many packages to choose from:
Low pressure.
This is the traditional tanning bed.
UV rays are emitted in a spectrum that is similar to natural sunlight.
The lamps produce fast color (instant gratification) but the risk of sunburn is highest in this kind of bed.If you burn easily, it's not recommended that you use this bed.
High pressure.
These beds emit a higher proportion of UVA rays (versus UVB rays).
UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn.In this kind of bed you'll get a deeper, longer-lasting tan, but it will be slow to build.Usually this bed is more expensive.
Booth.
This is basically a vertical tanning bed.
Instead of laying down, you stand up.
Parts of the skin that would normally be hidden don't come in contact with surfaces that other people's skin has touched (and sweat on, perhaps naked).
Plus, it's the best option for those suffering from claustrophobia.
Whole body spray.
Your body gets sprayed by a substance that darkens your skin through a chemical reaction.
UV rays are not involved, so this is the least cancerous way to go.
Keep in mind that this tan might fade away in a blotchy, unappealing way if you don't keep coming back for more. -
Step 2: Take a tour.
Visit a few salons and ask to see the beds.
Is everything clean? Look closely at the beds.
If you see any dirty buildup, like where the glass meets the edge of the bed, leave and never return.
Otherwise, ask what kind of cleaner they use on the beds (glass cleaner doesn't remove or kill bacteria).
Shop around, compare salons, and choose the one you like most. , Any decent salon will make you do it (they should also refuse to (UV) tan all fair-skinned customers.) The form is used to determine your skin type (so they don't accidentally fry your skin by putting you in a bed for too long).
It should only take a minute or so.
One important thing to be open about is what kind of prescription medication you're using.
Some can affect the way your skin reacts to tanning beds...in a very bad way. , Again, any decent salon will make sure you have goggles.
If they don't insist, then they don't care about your safety (and they might be just as nonchalant about cleaning the beds in between uses).
Don't worry, these funny-looking goggles won't give you raccoon eyes.
They just make sure you won't go blind. , ("“Tanning accelerators” are not approved by the FDA") Don't listen to any rumors about tyrosine.
Yes, tyrosine is an amino acid that your body uses to produce melanin, which is the stuff that makes your skin look darker.
That part is true.
But there's no evidence (none!) that tyrosine is absorbed by your skin (or through your gut, if you're tempted to buy the pill form) and finds its way to the melanin factory.
Learn How to Resist a Sales Pitch if they get pushy, or just leave. , Strip down as low as you want to go.
You can keep your underwear/bra on, or you can wear a swimsuit, or you can go nude.
Use the same precautions you would take in a public shower.
Remember that even though the surface of the bed should be cleaned between uses, the rest of the room probably isn't, so don't sit on the chair naked unless you're 100% sure the person before you didn't have crabs.
Keep your socks on unless you're 100% sure the person before you didn't have foot warts.
You know, things like that.
If you're really paranoid, and you don't mind the staff looking at you like you have ten heads, ask for a bottle of the cleaner so you can wipe things down yourself.
Don't bring your own cleaner, though, because some cleaners (e.g. ammonia-based ones) can damage the finish on the glass in the beds, or irritate your skin in surprisingly unpleasant ways when you expose it to UV rays right after sitting on a chair that you wiped down in bleach.
Ask a staff member to give you a tanning bed crash course.
Find out what all the buttons do.
How do you shut the whole thing off? How do you control the fan? If there are separate bulbs for the face, how do you turn those on and off? , This is a must.
Don't even think about getting into that bed unless you have goggles or some kind of approved eye protection (sunglasses don't do the trick, no matter how stylish they are).
Who cares how goofy you look? , Press the button to flip the lights.
There should be a timer, and the staff person should have assigned you a small time (like 4-5 minutes), no matter how much you argued that you don't burn, or that you want to get the most bang for your buck.
A good tanning salon employee will know better and will start you off with a "low dosage" and increase it gradually (depending on your skin responded) every time you return.
As you're laying there, pray that your DNA will prove resilient.
Beg the tanning gods to spare you a sunburn.
Visualize your cells producing melanin and lots of it.
Or take a power nap (unless you're in a booth; napping while standing is not recommended). , If you're all sweaty and slick, wipe yourself down with a towel (which should have been provided).
Put your clothes back on and swagger out of the salon. -
Step 3: Fill out a skin analysis form.
-
Step 4: Get goggles.
-
Step 5: Avoid tyrosine-based tanning accelerators
-
Step 6: lotion
-
Step 7: tanning enhancers/tingles or pills.
-
Step 8: Go to your room.
-
Step 9: Put on your safety goggles.
-
Step 10: Get inside the bed and shut the lid.
-
Step 11: Get out of the tanning bed.
Detailed Guide
Most salons have a variety of beds available with many packages to choose from:
Low pressure.
This is the traditional tanning bed.
UV rays are emitted in a spectrum that is similar to natural sunlight.
The lamps produce fast color (instant gratification) but the risk of sunburn is highest in this kind of bed.If you burn easily, it's not recommended that you use this bed.
High pressure.
These beds emit a higher proportion of UVA rays (versus UVB rays).
UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn.In this kind of bed you'll get a deeper, longer-lasting tan, but it will be slow to build.Usually this bed is more expensive.
Booth.
This is basically a vertical tanning bed.
Instead of laying down, you stand up.
Parts of the skin that would normally be hidden don't come in contact with surfaces that other people's skin has touched (and sweat on, perhaps naked).
Plus, it's the best option for those suffering from claustrophobia.
Whole body spray.
Your body gets sprayed by a substance that darkens your skin through a chemical reaction.
UV rays are not involved, so this is the least cancerous way to go.
Keep in mind that this tan might fade away in a blotchy, unappealing way if you don't keep coming back for more.
Visit a few salons and ask to see the beds.
Is everything clean? Look closely at the beds.
If you see any dirty buildup, like where the glass meets the edge of the bed, leave and never return.
Otherwise, ask what kind of cleaner they use on the beds (glass cleaner doesn't remove or kill bacteria).
Shop around, compare salons, and choose the one you like most. , Any decent salon will make you do it (they should also refuse to (UV) tan all fair-skinned customers.) The form is used to determine your skin type (so they don't accidentally fry your skin by putting you in a bed for too long).
It should only take a minute or so.
One important thing to be open about is what kind of prescription medication you're using.
Some can affect the way your skin reacts to tanning beds...in a very bad way. , Again, any decent salon will make sure you have goggles.
If they don't insist, then they don't care about your safety (and they might be just as nonchalant about cleaning the beds in between uses).
Don't worry, these funny-looking goggles won't give you raccoon eyes.
They just make sure you won't go blind. , ("“Tanning accelerators” are not approved by the FDA") Don't listen to any rumors about tyrosine.
Yes, tyrosine is an amino acid that your body uses to produce melanin, which is the stuff that makes your skin look darker.
That part is true.
But there's no evidence (none!) that tyrosine is absorbed by your skin (or through your gut, if you're tempted to buy the pill form) and finds its way to the melanin factory.
Learn How to Resist a Sales Pitch if they get pushy, or just leave. , Strip down as low as you want to go.
You can keep your underwear/bra on, or you can wear a swimsuit, or you can go nude.
Use the same precautions you would take in a public shower.
Remember that even though the surface of the bed should be cleaned between uses, the rest of the room probably isn't, so don't sit on the chair naked unless you're 100% sure the person before you didn't have crabs.
Keep your socks on unless you're 100% sure the person before you didn't have foot warts.
You know, things like that.
If you're really paranoid, and you don't mind the staff looking at you like you have ten heads, ask for a bottle of the cleaner so you can wipe things down yourself.
Don't bring your own cleaner, though, because some cleaners (e.g. ammonia-based ones) can damage the finish on the glass in the beds, or irritate your skin in surprisingly unpleasant ways when you expose it to UV rays right after sitting on a chair that you wiped down in bleach.
Ask a staff member to give you a tanning bed crash course.
Find out what all the buttons do.
How do you shut the whole thing off? How do you control the fan? If there are separate bulbs for the face, how do you turn those on and off? , This is a must.
Don't even think about getting into that bed unless you have goggles or some kind of approved eye protection (sunglasses don't do the trick, no matter how stylish they are).
Who cares how goofy you look? , Press the button to flip the lights.
There should be a timer, and the staff person should have assigned you a small time (like 4-5 minutes), no matter how much you argued that you don't burn, or that you want to get the most bang for your buck.
A good tanning salon employee will know better and will start you off with a "low dosage" and increase it gradually (depending on your skin responded) every time you return.
As you're laying there, pray that your DNA will prove resilient.
Beg the tanning gods to spare you a sunburn.
Visualize your cells producing melanin and lots of it.
Or take a power nap (unless you're in a booth; napping while standing is not recommended). , If you're all sweaty and slick, wipe yourself down with a towel (which should have been provided).
Put your clothes back on and swagger out of the salon.
About the Author
Donald Kelly
Experienced content creator specializing in pet care guides and tutorials.
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