| Tanning 101 The more you understand about the tanning process, the better tan you'll get. An educated tanner gets the darkest & longest lasting color. |
| Common Tanning Problems I feel like I'm not getting any darker. This is commonly referred to as a tanning "Plateau". Moisturizer is extremely important at this point. Remember that store bought “creams” contain alcohol which can actually dry the skin more. Salon tan extending moisturizers are formulated for a tanner’s skin. Also, using a tanning lotion (if you aren’t already) will help soften the skin. Your skin cells are standing up as much as 45º and are actually reflecting the UV rays. Using a lotion will help these cells lay down and become more translucent, therefore more receptive to UV rays. Plenty of moisturizer will help you get over your “plateau”. You should also try exfoliating to get rid of dead, flaky cells. Changing lotion type- like from an accelerator to a bronzer- can also push you over a plateau. Try an upgrade to the 12 minute bed. The lamps are a higher wattage and tan a little deeper into the skin which can give you that extra "boost" your looking for. What are these white spots that won't tan? There is a harmless fungus that can live on the skin. These "patches" cannot absorb UV light. There is a product called “Arrest Sunspot Treatment” available to help kill the fungus. My face and legs don't tan very well. What should I do? The extremities are harder to tan because of there is less blood flowing to them than say your stomach. Use a moisturizer at least twice daily. It's a fact that moist skin tans much better than dry skin. Use a facial or leg accelerator to boost melanin production and help tan these difficult areas. Should I shower after a tanning session? The tanning process actually continues for a period of time after a tanning session. Taking a shower will remove the mantel acid from your skin and slow down or stop this continued tanning process. It is recommended you not shower for 2 hours after your tanning session or 1 hour before. How do I get rid of pressure points (white areas)? Pressure points are usually found on the shoulder blades, tailbone and elbow area. What you want to do is lift up, carefully off the acrylic, several times during your tanning session, to allow oxygen to get at that skin. Within a few tanning sessions, you should see them disappear. |
What you need to know about LOTIONS Why should I use a lotion? The lotion will help you tan faster, keep your tan longer, and help prevent wrinkles and fine lines. If you aren't using a lotion you are wasting 5 minutes of your session because it takes 5 minutes for UV light to penetrate your skin to reach the melanin. Can I still tan without a lotion? Yes, but if your skin is dry prior to tanning, it will not soak up as much of the UV light as it could if it was well moisturized by a quality tanning accelerator. What is the difference in an upper-end product and a lower-end product besides the price? Using a lower-end product is certainly better than trying to tan with nothing on your skin at all, but there are many differences in an upper and lower-end lotion. An upper-end will have more tyrosine acids, which is the amino acid your skin/body has to have to actually produce melanin (pigment that make your brown). Many upper-ends will contain DNA restoratives which will prevent elastin break down from occurring in the skin. Many upper-ends contain a complex that will also eliminate the after-tan odor Can I use my tanning bed lotion outdoors? Not a good Idea. Indoor lotions usually don't contain SPF. You will have no sun protection outdoors. Indoor tanning lamps control the amount of UVA & UVB rays, while the sun does not. Outdoor UV rays can vary daily even hourly in intensity. It is recommended you use a SPF while tanning outdoors. Outdoor tanning lotions are not recommended for indoor use, as they can cause a film on the acrylic and will inhibit the tanning process. |
What's the difference between lotions? Accelerators- Tanning accelerators prompt your skin to produce more melanin (more pigment). By using the right indoor tanning accelerator for your skin type. From day one, you will get a base tan 64% quicker, get beyond your tanning plateau and feed your skin the vitamins and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Bronzers- A bronzer is a lotion that gives you immediate color after you apply it and then more color is seen in 2 to 5 hours as the DHA reacts with the proteins in your skin. This part can last anywhere from 2 to 5 days depending on the quantity of it in the lotion. Just remember these simple rules when using a bronzer; wash your hands after putting it on and wait at least 2 hours (so it can soak in your skin completely) before excessive sweating, bathing or hopping in any body of water. Tingle- A "tingle" is a stimulation of the epidermal layers of your skin. Most people feel their skin heat up or tingle after applying these lotions. The skin stimulation brings blood closer to the surface of the skin. The blood brings melanin with it and you may receive a better tan. The tingle factors range from 1 to 10. The higher the number, the more intense the tingling. It is recommended you start with a tingle of 1 or 2 to become accustomed to the stimulation then gradually work up through the different levels. Extenders- When applied to the skin, extenders interact with protein on the surface of the skin to preserve color. In addition, these products supply advanced hydration technologies to provide the skin with a continued source of moisture to help your tan look it's very best, day after day. |
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