Comfort and Convenience

For some people, having the privacy to undress and tan in their own home is a good enough reason on its own to get their own bed.  For others, perhaps the idea of who knows how many other people lying on that same bed is unsettling for them.  Or maybe it’s just a time saving factor and you don’t want to drive to the salon, wait for a bed to be available, or have to make appointments days in advance.  Tanning when you want, day or night, can be a big reason for deciding to buy your own bed.

Equipment Price

When you work out the costs of buying minutes or tanning packages from a salon and compare that to the price of owning your own bed over an extended period of time, you’ll see that if you’re an avid tanner, you’re actually saving money by having your own equipment.  There will be additional costs such as replacement bulbs and electricity bills that you’ll need to pay for, but in the long run you’re still saving in comparison to tanning at a salon.

Bed and Bulb Maintenance

The bulbs on your home bed will have to be replaced occasionally.  They can usually last for up to about 1000 hours of use.  Depending on your usage and the number of people using the bed, 1000 hours of use could mean changing the bulbs roughly every 4-5 years.  Special cleaning products will also be required to clean the bulbs, but this doesn’t have to be done very often and the maintenance is generally pretty simple.

Safety and Precautions

When owning your own bed it could be tempting to tan longer or more often than you should.  This could lead to skin damage and possible health issues.  Getting a bed with a timer or using a clock timer is an excellent way to limit your exposure.  It’s also a good idea to tan no more than once in a 24 hour period.

While the commercial types of beds are usually built with more lamps and may give you a quicker tan, the same types of bulbs are used in domestic beds so you’re still getting the same quality of UV exposure and an equally beautiful tan.  If you have the space to store a bed and tan enough to make the investment worth it, buying a home tanning bed could be the right decision for you.

High Pressure Bulbs

These bulbs use quartz glass and pressurized argon gas.  Because the quartz does not filter out the UVC rays, which are the more harmful UV rays we try to avoid, dichroic filter glass is used with these bulbs and will usually give them a purple hue.  This type of bulb is for tanning from above only, so in a lay down tanning bed they would be found on the hood, or perhaps used only as face tanners.  These bulbs are more intense and efficient and would be changed after 300-1000 hours of use.

Low Pressure Bulbs

Low pressure lamps are quite similar to the common fluorescent tube lights you see everywhere.  The difference between the tubes used for tanning and the ones used for common lighting is the phosphor used in them.  The low pressure lamps would be used for tanning from above and below in a tanning bed.  They last longer than the high pressure bulbs and would need to be replaced after 300-1600 hours of use.

There are other differences in tanning bulbs than just the pressure type of course.  Some bulbs, such as the type often found in stand up beds, would have reflective surfaces created inside to maximize the range of the UV light being emitted.  Different wattage levels are also commonly found in different bulbs and may be used for a variety of purposes such as the location of the bulb in the bed or what type of bed it’s being used in.

While tanning bulbs are a fairly low maintenance, the do require occasional cleaning to prevent dust or oils from accumulating on them.  Oils from your hands while handling the bulbs can decrease their expected lifespan, while dust on the bulbs can get in the way of the UV rays while you’re tanning.

The bulbs do also need to be changed every so often, but if you’re changing your own bulbs in a home tanning bed, they should last you quite some time depending on your usage.  These bulbs are fragile and contain mercury, so if you’re changing your own bulbs handle them with care.

In a booth you’ll be able to move around more easily.  This can allow you to raise or lower your arms, stand a certain way, or even stretch out if the booth is feeling cramped.  Lying in a bed restricts your movements somewhat and spots can be missed from having to stay in more or less one position.

The lamps in the stand up booths are often made with special reflectors inside.  These reflectors help to spread the light around the tanning chamber and ensure you’re getting tanned from all sides.  This gives you an excellent even tan with no missed areas.

When lying on the glass of a lay down bed, pressure points can be formed between the glass and certain parts of your body.  Because of the compacted tissue, the UV rays aren’t able to properly soak into your skin and you may have lighter areas in some places.  This can be avoided in lay down beds by simply adjusting your position every so often, but it’s a problem that is completely eliminated in a stand up booth.

Stand up booths tend to have stronger bulbs providing you with a quicker tan.  In a salon, the stand up beds usually have a lower maximum time limit because their bulbs are more intense.  If spending too much time in a bed is an issue for you, the more efficient booths may solve that problem.

Standing up in a booth is not for everyone though.  Even if you’re only in there for a few minutes, it can get boring or become tiresome.  Lying in a bed is often more relaxing and some tanners even find it quite enjoyable and therapeutic.  Lying down also allows you to use the separated goggles that don’t require the nose piece in the middle or the elastic to keep them on your head.  While the thin tan lines they create can be fixed by adjusting your goggles, it can give you one less thing to think about.

UV light kills most bacteria and tanning beds are cleaned by the salon staff after every use, but hygiene may still be a concern for you.  Since you don’t touch the sides of a stand up bed, the cause for worry regarding germs is removed completely.

Choosing the type of bed to use comes down mostly to comfort, efficiency, and best results.  Try both at your salon and see which style you prefer.  Some people even choose to alternate between lay down and stand up to maximize tanning coverage and keep their experience a little more interesting.

Acidic liquids such as white vinegar and lemon juice can help reduce the intensity of any streaks or blotches your sunless tanning lotion may have left you with.  Using either of these on a cotton ball, or even using a slice of lemon, can remove the streak and leave you with an even and wonderful looking sunless tan.

Mixing some baking soda up with a little water will also help to remove streaks and even out your faux tan.  Washing an area that has gone too dark with some baking soda then exfoliating gently should remove the problem spot with little muss or fuss and no acidic odour.

If your face has gone a bright shade of carrot orange, wash with a generous application of facial toner.  You can also use a cosmetic bronzer powder or moisturizer afterwards to smooth the shade of your skin while keeping some of that added colour.

Thorough exfoliation over your whole body can also cut the intensity of an undesirable shade to give you a more acceptable and natural glow.  Shaving your legs can do the trick as well if you’ve used the self tanner mainly on that area.  You can even try coating yourself with baby oil to loosen up the top layer of dead skin then grab a loofah and jump in the shower.  With self-tanners, you’ve stained your outer layer of skin, so that dead skin on top can be taken off with a good dose of exfoliation.

You may have done a real number on yourself and given your skin a heavy application of self-tanning lotion that looks terrible.  If the other home remedies just aren’t going to cut it for you, there are professional self-tanning remover products you can buy that will be effective for about 4 hours after application of the self-tan product.

Self-tanning mishaps may be prevented in the future by shopping around for quality products from trusted cosmetic name brands.  Of course, this isn’t always the case because a certain product may react differently on your skin than that of someone else.  Doing a trial run on a test patch of skin should help you determine the colour you’ll be getting from any given self-tanning product and give you a better experience with your future tanning lotion applications.

When deciding where to start working on your indoor tan, there may be certain factors you’ll want to consider before buying any kind of package or membership. Shopping around before committing to anything could save you a lot of money and regret. A lot of places have trial plans or one-time fees to see how you like their beds so if it isn’t costing you much or anything at all, take advantage of any trial offers you can to make the most informed choice possible.

Price

Usually a main deciding factor for most people paying for an indoor tan is the price. Finding a salon that offers the best deals can be tricky. Different salons can offer varying pricing methods so it isn’t always easy to compare price points versus sessions provided. Asking for a detailed breakdown of every package they offer, or perhaps even a printout, can help you when determining which salon will be more affordable for you.

Convenience

Driving or walking to your tanning salon can become a chore if it’s too far away to access easily. Finding a salon close to your home or work, or perhaps even in your gym, could save you a lot of traveling time. Some gyms offer tanning packages at excellent prices with a membership, so this may be a great option for you if you’re a member of a gym with tanning beds.

Knowing how busy a certain salon can get is also a very important factor when choosing the right place. Certain seasons or different times of day can get exceptionally busy, so being aware that you might have to wait for a bed or make appointments in advance is something you should know before making that salon your place to tan.

Quality

The quality of the bed and bulbs can differ widely from salon to salon. Some beds have weaker bulbs, which may be perfect for you if you have fair skin that’s prone to burning, but usually you’ll want high efficiency bulbs that are replaced in a decent amount of time. Ask questions about equipment when you’re scoping out your new tanning spot and determine how well maintained their beds are.

Sanitation

The cleanliness of your salon is something you should keep in mind. If the inside of the salon itself looks dirty, that right there may be something to think about. By law, the beds should be cleaned after every use, so even though UV rays kill most bacteria, ensuring the beds are properly disinfected will keep you safe and worry-free while tanning.

Knowledgeable Staff

The fees you’re paying to tan in a salon or spa are also going towards paying for the level of service you’re receiving from the staff. Not only should they be friendly and approachable, they should be able to address all the tanning questions and concerns you have. When starting at a new salon the staff should be asking for your appropriate history such as susceptibility to burns and possible medication that can be affected by UV exposure. They should also be providing proper equipment and lotion information if needed and be able to provide advice on time exposure and tanning frequency.

Getting the best tan is highly dependent on where you choose to do it. Finding a salon that has the right price, location, equipment, and staff will have a huge effect on your overall tanning experience. Don’t be afraid to shop around before deciding that any one salon is right for you.

The Basics of a Spray Tan

Spray tanning works by spraying or airbrushing an FDA approved substance called DHA (or dihydroxyacetone) onto your skin. This is a form of sugar that sticks to the dead skins cells on your body and causes a chemical reaction with the amino acids on your skin to create a browning result. Since it affects the outermost layer of skin, it lasts only about a week or so until the tinted skin has been exfoliated away. Be sure to exfoliate beforehand to maximize the time your tan will last.

Where to Get It

This is a process that can be done at home or in a salon and can sometimes even be found at a kiosk at the mall or beach. The thicker skin on your body such as your hands and feet can absorb more DHA creating a more intense colour, so if you’re applying your own spray tan, it may be best to do these areas last or not at all. Salons will offer this service by means of a booth that sprays you automatically or by applying the spray by hand with an airbrush.

The Spray Tanning Process

The tanning spray is misted onto the body from an automatic nozzle in a booth or by hand from an airbrush gun. If you want the best results, you may be more inclined to have a well trained technician apply it with the airbrush to avoid missing any spots, applying too much solution to one area, or giving yourself any streaks or blotches. A professional spa technician should also be able to advise you on the correct application to get the perfect tone for your natural skin colour.

This process is done a few minutes, the extra spray is towelled off, and the results can be noticed in about an hour or so. You will likely be advised to wait about 4 hours before showering to avoid rinsing the spray off while the chemical reactions are still in progress. Keeping your skin moisturized will slow the exfoliation of your skin and should help to keep your tan lasting longer.

Precautions to Take

Like any cosmetic product you apply to you skin, possible allergic reactions can occur. If you have sensitive skin you may want to do a test patch on yourself before getting a full body spray. This process could also dry out your skin so be sure to use proper moisturizers to keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful.

The tanning solution used is for external use only, so be careful to cover your eyes and mouth during the application. Holding your breath or using a breathing filter (such as a small mask) while spraying areas even away from your face may also be a good idea if you have sensitive lungs.

Whether you want to just get a little darker for a special event or will be repeating the process each week, spray tanning is a great way to get a healthy looking bronze while avoiding the sun and its UV rays. This process doesn’t give you any kind of a base tan that will protect from UV exposure, so be sure to still use sunscreen when tanning outdoors or spending any time in the sun.