I'm wondering the same thing. I have my first appointment on Tuesday.Originally posted by NewMike
What do you wear in the tanning bed?
So I won't burn from the tanning bed? I'm kinda fair-skinned if that makes any difference?Originally posted by California Love
Wear nothing, like LaidBackCharmer said. Personally, i dont wear the eyeprotection cuz it gives me white circles around my eyes.
Start with the time they suggest you. Once a week is enough to maintain the tan. I used to be a compulsive tanner and go 3x a week. The thing with tanning beds is that they are almost purely UVA. THis means that they bring pigment up to the skin, but do not darken the pigment. Therefore, too often is just overkill and will not yield effects.
A side note - Your tan will not forever improve. After about a month, your capacity will set in, and that is the most tan you will get from the bed. If you want to get "darker", then implement some real sun, which provides UVB as well as UVA.
Dont wear sunscreen, which defeats the purpose. Also, do not buy tanning lotions, which are overpriced and unnecessary.
You'll probably burn the first time. Take the amount of minutes that they suggest you, which will probably be under 10 minutes. Don't worry about the burn though. Its no biggie - might hurt a little in the shower and when u put on clothes, but it goes away in a few days. After a few times, your skin will be adjusted and you wont burn anymore. Just dont overdo the system. 2x a week max.Originally posted by Byronic Hero
So I won't burn from the tanning bed? I'm kinda fair-skinned if that makes any difference?
Wear nothing at all? Do they wipe out the insides of the bed? How can I trust the person before me?
Thanks for all the help so far.
They wipe it down and spray it with sanitizer (at least the one I go to - you should ask THEM this)Wear nothing at all? Do they wipe out the insides of the bed? How can I trust the person before me?
Wow. Thanks shiftkey.Originally posted by Shiftkey
Ask the salon girls any questions you have. It's hard to say how often and how long you should go without seeing you. I started going about a month ago, and I have type 2 skin - meaning I don't tan easily and I have naturally light skin. Type 1 means you can't tan, you only burn (probably closer to Tweek's skin type). Type 3 is average, type 4 you tan easily, etc. I was advised to start at 8 minutes. I was a little pink from that and it was slightly uncomfortable in the shower (not as much as after getting a full blown sunburn though). After that I would add a minute or two every time I went, which was every 2 or 3 days. Now I'm up to 20 minutes (the legal and safe max) and have a decent tan that virtually everyone I know has commented on.
If you're a type 2 like me, you'll probably do the same thing I did. You might also notice that some body parts tan slower than others (my arms tan slow for some reason :/ ) - this is normal. The best way to solve this is to supplement real sun. Another side effect I've noticed is that my skin complexion has improved.
Don't wear sunscreen (this damages the tan beds actually), don't wear clothes, DO wear the little glasses they provide or you'll permanently damage your eyes (even if you close your eyes). When you get home, immediately moisturize with a good quality, water-based moisturizer, and moisturize after every time you take a shower or go swimming. This helps you keep your tan longer and helps prevent burning. You can just get a bottle for less than $10 at a drug store or department store that'll last a long time.
They wipe it down and spray it with sanitizer (at least the one I go to - you should ask THEM this)
No problem.Wow. Thanks shiftkey.
I had my first appointment yesterday. Went 10 minutes. Didn't use goggles cus a friend of mine said it would give me the raccoon look. I will definitely wear the glasses next time though. Does the racoon look actually exist or is it not that important?
I didn't burn much from yesterday. I'm a little tender in spots but it isn't bright red and I can shower fine. I think that is pretty good for a first time.
Tanning in the sun is more risky than tanning in a tanbed, just fyi. The sun emits more UVB, which is what causes your skin to burn and get cancer. Tanbeds emit mostly UVA, which is what gives you a tan, and 8% or less UVB. The higher quality beds where I go emit only 3%.I live in sunny floridia so the coldest it gets here is 40...i can go outside and take my shirt off and lie down and try to tan, but my previous attempts have proven to be barely noticeable. I don't want to pay money to do something I have a backyard and a sun for, so any advice? I stayed out about half an hour each time.