Tanning Advice

It is important to prevent UV overexposure and to protect the health of your skin whilst tanning, follow the tanning advice below to ensure you do not overexpose yourself when tanning:

• Ensure that you moisturise your skin with a gel or cream that has been specifically developed for indoor tanning. It's important to use moisturiser before and after a session, as moisturisers reduce the drying effects of UV exposure when tanning.
• Allow at least 24 hrs to pass before tanning again, whether it be indoors or outdoors. Industry and medical standards advice waiting 48 hours, which is the time it takes for skin to create melanin and to tan.
• When tanning naked, ensure that you protect sensitive areas of the body that normally are not exposed to UV light. Skin on the underarms, backs of legs, buttocks, and genitalia can suffer severe sunburn from the same light intensity that only tans the rest of your body. You can expose the sensitive areas gradually by covering them halfway through tanning sessions for the first three or four times you tan naked.
• It is a good idea to protect your lips with a lip balm that blocks UV light; lips cannot produce melanin, so they are at risk from overexposure during a tanning session.
• If you are sunburned, soothe your skin with a moisturiser, and don't try to tan again until the redness completely subsides.

Do I have to wear tanning goggles?

We'd advise that you do wear tanning goggles during a tanning session, as the skin of your eyelids is very thin and needs to be protected. All of our tanning studios have tanning goggles available.

It is always sound advice to seek medical advice whenever you have a health concern-such as rashes, itching, or any other skin problems or irregularities.

Tanning and Skin Health Information

Every year, millions of people get golden brown tans in the comfort of their local indoor tanning studio. They like the way they look and feel with a tan, as well as the relaxation their tanning sessions provide.

But some people worry that their health will be jeopardised by tanning only a few days a week. There are many stories circulating in the media about the reasons why "tanning rays", or ultraviolet (UV) light waves, should be avoided.

Indoor tanning technology, is controllable, (which cannot be said for outdoor tanning), and when used in moderation, is designed to reduce the risk of skin damage caused by overexposure.

Indoor tanning provides a controlled UV dose based on your natural skin tone that helps you to tan without burning. This type of tanning control simply is not possible by sunbathing outdoors, where overexposure, or sunburn, is much more likely. Overexposure - not merely exposure - can cause the long-term skin damage most people worry about today. Tanz promotes moderation and gives expert tanning advice to our clients in order to avoid UV overexposure.

But what is moderate tanning?

Before we explore specific skin safety issues, we need to understand the concept of moderation in tanning.

Tanz realises that our tanning services, if abused, can effect our clients health. That's why Tanz follows specific safety guidelines, determined by governmental law as well as the tanning equipment manufacturers' guidelines, regarding the duration and frequency of individual client's tanning sessions.

Moderate tanning is achieved by following these guidelines, by listening to any additional safety recommendations made by Tanz tanning consultants. These safety practises will prevent the overexposure to your skin that is associated with UV-induced health concerns.

Tanning Advice -The Golden Rules

You have made a wise decision to tan in a comfortable, controlled atmosphere. Our goal is to help you to safely achieve the best tan possible and help you keep that healthy glow as long as you can. With that in mind, here is some tanning advice to help you get the most out of each tanning visit.

First, lets talk about how your skin tans. Basically, it works the same indoors or out. Ultraviolet rays penetrate your skin causing different reactions. UVA (tanning rays) and UVB (burning rays) are emitted by the sun as well as by our tanning lamps. UVB is commonly referred to as the burning ray because it is more intense than UVA and is responsible for sunburn. Our tanning lamps emit more UVA and much less UVB than the sun, which is the best tanning combination.

Although UVB is responsible for overexposure it is necessary in acquiring a tan. UVB stimulates melanocyte (pigment cells) in your skin to produce melanin (pigment). The melanin absorbs UVA to keep it from reaching deeper, more sensitive layers, of the skin. UVA oxidises, or darkens, the melanin forming a tan. This whole process is the body's own natural defence against a sunburn.

By controlling the type and amount of UV light you receive in a Tanz sunbed or a vertical tanning stand, there's no doubt that this is the best place to acquire a tan. But there are some precautions you need to take even with the best of conditions.

Never try to force a tan and always use common sense.

This is the most important rule.  In other words, never sunbathe more than once a day.  As a rule of thumb: up to ten sessions in two to three weeks, unless you are using a high pressure tanning bed, when you should reduce the number of sessions, as you can get a the tan achieved will then be retained by sunbathing once or twice a week. 

The following tanning advice should also be observed.

Keep to the tanning times recommended by your Tanz tanning consultant.

If you are taking medication read the information slip or consult your doctor before tanning.  Some medicines are photosensitive to Ultra Violet rays.

Always use a good quality tanning lotion that is specifically designed for sunbed use.  Do not use any lotions that contain a sunscreen.

Always keep your eyes closed and wear protective goggles while tanning.

Before and after tanning, use skin-care products to keep skin healthy and keep an attractive tan looking good for longer.

Anyone on the following precautionary list is not permitted to use a sunbed or should seek medical advice before use:

• If you are under 16 years of age.
• If you have a medical condition that becomes worse in sunlight.
• If you have fair or sensitive skin that burns easily and does not tan in sunlight
• If you have a large number of freckles or moles.
• If you have or have had skin cancer
• If you have a history of sunburn especially in childhood.
• If you are pregnant - whilst there is no evidence to suggest that UV tanning equipment can damage a foetus, a doctor should be consulted before use.

Frequently asked questions not covered above

How long does it take to develop a tan?

This obviously depends on your skin type, the lotion you use and your current skin colour. In general, the average person can develop a base tan in 3 to 5 sessions.

Can I use a sunbed after sunbathing in the natural sun?

Definitely No. You will likely burn on a sunbed if you have sunbathed in the natural sun as you’ve had an uncontrolled amount of UV exposure.

What do I wear when tanning?

What ever you want! Once you enter your private tanning room it’s your choice. Some people wear their under garments, but most prefer to go nude.

Do tanning accelerators / intensifiers really work?

Quite simply, Yes! These lotions help you tan faster, moisturise and many help reduce the appearance of fine line and wrinkles. By supplying your skin with needed vitamins, minerals, amino acids and moisture these lotions can help you tan up to 67% better than using no lotion at all. By using lotions you can tan faster in less sessions with less UV exposure = safer, smarter tanning!

Why doesn’t the skin tan equally all over?

The insides of the arms and legs do not tan as easily because they contain fewer pigment-forming cells than the skin on the rest of the body.  The face does not tan as easily either because it has a naturally thicker Horny layer- providing special protection from UV-B.  Freckles and pigmented moles contain a particularly high amount of tanning pigments and therefore go darker much more quickly than other areas of the skin.

How long will my tan last?

Your tan should last around 2 to 4 weeks after the last sun bathing session.  The uppermost skin cells are gradually shed as a result of natural process of skin renewal. The skin will have renewed itself after approx. 28 days.  Looked after properly a tan can be preserved for longer. Discuss the techniques used for long term tanning with our tanning consultants, who will advise you on the method to use for your skin type.

How can I keep up my holiday tan?

One to two sessions per week will keep up your holiday tan for much longer.

Other helpful advice:

When tanning indoor or out, moisture is lost from the skin. Use a good daily moisturiser after tanning, showers or exercise to keep a health glowing skin tone.

Choose a good quality lotion when tanning. Exposure to UVA can cause skin to dry up. A high quality tanning lotion can help prevent and reduce these effects. It’s well worth the money!

Remember, like most fun things in life, moderation is the key. Talk with your Tanz consultant about tanning, take care of your skin, and take a break every now and then. 

Why does Tanning lotion work?

Mother nature has a way of taking care of us in many aspects of our life, and tanning is just another of mother natures wonders. When we are born, our skin has a reflective quality to reduce the amount of UV penetration, and this reflects more  than half the normal sunlight.

Although we recognise it as "look good" advantage a tan is our body's natural protection from the sun,  tanning lotions break this barrier down so you get nearly 100% of the sunlight going deep into the skin for a longer lasting, better looking tan. Lotion also speeds up the production of the Melanin.  

Melanin is the chemical compound that holds the tan. It travels from deep in the skin to the surface faster and that’s what turns into a nice golden brown suntan.  When tanning indoor or out, moisture is lost from the skin. Use a good daily moisturiser after tanning, showers or exercise to keep a health glowing skin tone.

Choose a good quality lotion when tanning. Don't scrimp on moisturiser, get the best quality product that you can afford. Exposure to UVA can cause skin to dry up. A high quality tanning lotion can help prevent and reduce these effects.