An Introduction to the Tanning Process

     Indoor tanning keeps growing each year and has now become the preferred choice of millions of people.  The reasons are simple. Indoor tanning provides a year round, convenient, controlled environment for people of all types who want to enjoy the look and feel of a tan body.  It is important to understand the tanning process so you can know what to expect from your next visit to one of our salons. 
Understandably, when you start a membership you're eager to see results.  Unfortunately, the tanning process is not something that can be rushed.  Sometimes, it can take up to several sessions before a noticeable darkening of the skin is evident.  For beginning tanners, initial exposure times in some tanning beds may be as short as five or six minutes.  It may seem like nothing happened, but remember, it can take up to 48 hours for melanogenisis to begin.  You may also want to using a tanning accelerator to help achieve the maximum result possible. 
     Once you have some color, after you have started tanning, your session length can be adjusted slowly until you reach the desired level of darkening — but keep in mind, everybody’s skin is different!  For a better idea of your skin type, make sure to use the B-Tan skin typing chart.  Even after building a base tan, some people with fair skin may never be able to stay in a tanning bed for the maximum session time. 
     Always use caution when you begin tanning indoors or switch to a new tanning center and you are unfamiliar with their tanning beds.  Comparing session times in two different pieces of equipment from two different tanning salons can be like comparing apples to oranges.  Often, there can be a drastic difference in twenty minutes in one tanning bed versus another--even if the two units look similar.  There can be a large variance in the quality of equipment and bulbs from one salon to another, which can result in a bad burn.  Your B-Tan Tanning Centers consultant will make a recommendation for your first session, as they are more familiar with our equipment. 
How often should I tan?
     Most people don’t know how often they should tan. When building a base tan, 48 hours is the recommended time between sessions.  Depending upon the bed type, it usually takes from 1-3 sessions to notice results.  Once you have an established tan, it is usually only necessary to tan two or three times a week.   Once you begin to develop a tan, the best way to preserve it is to take good care of your skin.  Using a lotion, like one of the ones we carry in our salons is strongly encouraged.  B-Tan Centers require all users of our tanning beds wear some form of eye protection.  You should always wear eye protection when using a tanning bed.  Your eyelids do not provide adequate protection from ultraviolet radiation -- even if you keep them closed!

Copyright © 2003 B-TANPSL, Inc. All rights reserved.