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Picking the right tanning lotion for you.

What to look for when buying a tanning lotion.

So you want to start tanning for the first time or you are looking to find a better tanning lotion. Here are a few questions to ask yourself.

1. Why are you tanning? Are you trying to get a darker color or are you tanning so you don't get burned when you go on vacation?

If you are tanning to go on vacation you'll probably need to go about 10 times in a 3 week period to get enough of a base not to burn when you go outside. This doesn't mean that you don't have to use sun tan lotion with SPF when you go out.

If you are going in order to get a darker color then you'll have to explore what the different lotions do for you.

2. How sensitive your skin? Do you burn easily?

If you burn easily I'd suggest going for 6-7 minutes your first time. Do not go for the full 15 minutes. You will get burned and your skin will peel. Tanning lotions high in Vitamin E can help. You will need to gradually build up a base so you can go longer and longer at higher levels.

Typically there are 3 levels of UV bulbs. Level 1 would be for beginning tanners and level 3 is for people with a nice base tan.

3. How much are you willing to pay?

Some salons allow you to pay per tan without having a membership. Others will make you buy minutes to tan. Always keep in mind how long you will be going for because there are fees associated with canceling your membership and renewing it at a later date. The place my friends go to allows you to put your membership on hold.

Look for special days of the week that they have deals. This could save you a few dollars each time you go. For example, "Tuesdays $5 Tans".

4. Which lotion is right for you?

The 3 main types are bronzer lotions, tingle lotions, and regular accelerator lotions.

First time tanners should start with an accelerator because it will help moisturize and tan your skin. Your skin can take in more UV light when it is moisturized which is why you'll tan better from an accelerator.

A tingle lotion really does the same as an accelerator but you feel a tingling sensation when you put it on. The tingling actually brings blood to the surface of your skin which in turn brings oxygen to the surface to affect the melanin in your skin. Your skin will be red for about an hour afterwards and will look similar to a sunburn.

The bronzer lotion helps dye your skin. This is where you'll see people with an organish skin color. That happens when they do not use the right bronzer or apply it correctly. The bronzers are used by people who tan quite often because they produce the best color results.

5. Are you planning on tanning indoors or outdoors?

If you are planning on outdoors then there are different lotions that you should be using. Outdoor lotions can not be used in indoor beds as I describe more about later in this article. A couple of good outdoor lotion sites are listed below.

What are the benefits of tanning?

1. Makes you feel more confident and better looking. A lot of people claim that it will make them look better in certain outfits or that they will look more healthy.

2. Releases Melanin which is used to protect our skin from UV rays. The increased production of melanin in human skin is called melanogenesis. Melanogenesis-based tan takes more time to develop, but it is long lasting.

The photochemical properties of melanin make it an excellent photoprotectant. It absorbs harmful UV-radiation and transforms the energy into harmless amounts of heat through a process called "ultrafast internal conversion". This property enables melanin to dissipate more than 99.9% of the absorbed UV radiation as heat and it keeps the generation of free radicals at a minimum (see photoprotection). This prevents the indirect DNA damage which is responsible for the formation of malignant melanoma. - Wikipedia results on Melanin

3. Vitamin D3 is produce when we are exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is important in maintaining organ systems. To read about all of the positive benefits of Vitamin D check out Wikipedia.

4. Most people feel relaxed in the warm and quiet beds. The fragrances in the lotion produce an aromatherapy type experience for the user.

Here is a little more information that may help you

Most lotions will be produced by companies such as australian gold, swedish beauty, designer skin, california tan, coppertone, Millenium, Supre, Immoral, and Hawaiian Tropic. I would suggest sticking with a brand name company to ensure the quality of the product. Indoor lotions will usually say on the bottle that they are intended for indoor use only. For outside, one can simply use baby oil or products from companies such as hawaiian tropic or coppertone. These companies make outdoor lotions with or without spf blockers.

Also, there are alternatives to tanning at a salon. You can always get a fake bake lotion. These lotions that can be applied to the skin to produce similar effects without any sunlight or UV exposure. However, I would suggest an indoor spray tan before experimenting with sunless tanning lotions because they are hard to apply correctly.

If you are looking for more tanning lotion information or reviews, I would suggest going to amazon.com. Review their ratings for each lotion you are interested in. There is some good information about different bronzer lotions, tingle lotions, accelerator lotions, and which ones work the best. The best tanning lotion or most popular tanning lotion will come up first when you type in "tanning lotions" into amazon. These lotions are probably your best bet to ensure that you get a quality product for your money.

What are the ingredients in a Tanning Lotion? 

Here are the ingredients most commonly found in tanning lotions.

Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Melanin, L-Tyrosine, Tea oil, Copper, Green Tea Extract, Mineral Oil(Baby Oil), Hempseed Oil, Silicone, Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), & Frangrances

A tanning lotion is primarily used for increasing the skin's exposure to UV light while moisturizing the skin to keep it hydrated. Skin that has moisture in it will tan better because moisturized skin can take in more UV light.

Fragrances are added for a more enjoyable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions 

My findings...

1. Should you apply tanning lotion about an hour before going to the salon?

Applying tanning Lotion before going to the salon can be beneficial because it gives the lotion enough time to soak into your skin. This is recommended primarily for the reason that moisturizing your skin will avoid any potential damage that can be done by tanning. Putting on lotion right before you get into the bed may not allow enough time for your skin to soak in the moisturizers and result in unwanted damage to your skin such as wrinkles and peeling.

2. What's the difference between indoor and outdoor lotions?

Indoor lotions are designed so the acrylic tanning beds do not get ruined by chemicals that can be found in the outdoor lotions specifically mineral oil (Baby Oil). Never use an outdoor tanning lotion in a bed because it will ruin the bed and you will not get tan. The sun's rays are different than the bulbs in the beds and produce different UV light. Outdoor lotions are specifically designed for the sun's UV rays, not the bulbs in a bed.

3. What is Tyrosine?

Tyrosine is an amino acid and is very helpful in increasing the production of melanin by being exposed to ultraviolet rays.

4. Is it OK to tan while I'm pregnant?

There is no hard evidence suggesting that tanning during a pregnancy will cause harm to the unborn baby, but it is strongly advised that you speak with your doctor first. The heat associated with lying in a bed can be potentially harmful for the baby and mother. Prolonged heat exposure can cause overheating (hyperthermia) which has been associated with some spinal defects of the fetus.

5. How does silicone in tanning lotions help?

Silicone provides a level of protection against some UV rays and can help hold moisture in your skin by acting as a sealant. Holding the moisture in your skin helps produce a better tan. Silicone is also considered heat resistant.

6. Do I have to wear my tanning goggles? Why can't I just close my eyes?

You must wear your goggles. As a matter of fact, your eyelids can not protect from the ultra violet rays. Your eyelids will only filter out about 25% of the UV rays. Not wearing goggles can cause damage to your eyes and produce redness, itchiness, and watering of the eyes. The goggles will protect your eyes from these harmful UV rays. Also, putting a towel across your eyes does not block the UV rays. Without goggles for indoor tanning, you may risk burns to the cornea, cataracts, and retinal damage. More on wearing googles and the long term effects can be found on my page. Why wear tanning goggles?

7. Do I have to wear eye protection while spray tanning?

No. The pupose of wearing goggles is to prevent damage to your eyes from UV rays. You can simply shut your eyes during spray tanning. If you would like protection from getting anything into your eye, try using the one time use eye protection that most of the salons have. Many spray tan solutions are non toxic and can be flushed out of your eyes with a little water if you feel irritation.

8. Why am I not tanning after going to the tanning bed?

Your body may not be producing a lot of melanin. Melanin is the pigment produced by your skin cells that causes your skin to turn darker. Everyone has different skin types and others may tan faster because they produce more melanin when exposed to UV light. If you do not tan after several sessions, I would suggest looking at an alternative to indoor beds because you will only be damaging your skin by the repetitive exposure without production of melanin. A spray tan may be best for you.

9. Can you get allergies from tanning?

According to all-tanning-beds.com "...some people are actually allergic to UV rays, and therefore they have an allergic reaction when they use beds. Many people don't realize that they are allergic to UV rays though so they continue going. There are many different symptoms that a person may get with such an allergy that you can watch out for.

The most common ones include bumps on the arms and legs as well as a rash that develops after you have been using a bed. Such rashes and bumps can also be found across the chest and back areas. Some people experience extreme itching and even break out with hives in the hours following their tan sessions.

What appears to be tanning bed allergies can actually turn out to be a symptom of some type of skin disorder. Psoriasis and eczema are both skin disorders that can be activated by exposure to UV lights in the beds. You should get the outbreak of skin or rash looked at by a doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible to get a proper diagnosis.

Some individuals find that while they have been able to use beds before they now have developed an allergy to them. This is often due to some change taking place with their body. It could coincide with the introduction of a prescription medication, changes to their diet, pregnancy, and menopause.

A toxic chemical reaction can occur in a bed because of the make up of your body, your diet, the medications you are taking, the tanning lotions you are using, and they chemicals used to clean the beds. Sometimes just the right combination of items will result in what appears to be tanning bed allergies.

Some individuals only find out they have tanning bed allergies after they have seen a doctor or dermatologist regarding their symptoms. There are several different types of medications that can be offered to treat it. The most commonly prescribed medication for tanning bed allergies is Prednasone. Many people self medicate by taking over the counter Claritin.

A common ailment that is along the lines of tanning bed allergies is called Photosensativity. Depending on the degree of severity, even spending five minutes in the bed can cause serious pain. Yet most people who have such a serious ailment already know it because they have the same sensitivity to natural sunlight. Therefore they should already know to avoid beds.

In most cases though, the individual isn't really allergic to the bed. The reaction they are having is due to a new tanning lotion or cream. If you have been using the same one for a period of time and start having a reaction take the time to find out if the ingredients have been changed.

Sometimes changing from a lay down bed to a stand up booth is all that needs to be done. There is a small percentage of individuals who have an allergic reaction to the plastic material that is used to make the bed.

Still yet, the allergic reaction could be to what ever the salon is using to clean the beds with. You may wish to inquire about what types of solutions they use after each person has completed their tan session.

As you can see, there are a variety of reasons why a person may be experiencing tanning bed allergies. To get to the bottom of it you will have to complete some troubleshooting procedures. This can be time consuming but controlling the variables and documenting the results is the only way you are going to find out what is causing your tanning bed allergies."

10. Can I eat in a tanning bed?

Most salons do not allow food or drinks into the booths. Some will allow you to take water in with you but only if you do not take the water in with the intent on drinking it while you are in the bed. I would suggest drinking lots of water beforehand to avoid dehydration. Dehydration can make you feel woozy or confused while in a bed because of the extreme heat the bulbs produce. If at anytime you feel woozy or confused, stop and drink some water. Just let the salon assistant know and they will most likely allow you to tan for those minutes you missed.

11. Do beds ruin acrylic nails?

It depends on the type of adhesive and acrylic nails used. Exposure to sunlight or UV rays will cause acrylic nails to turn yellow over time. It is important to cover your nails while tanning to avoid any possible problems. Use a towel and avoid getting lotion on your nails. Some lotions have ingredients that can increase the chance of the yellowing effect (i.e. Bronzers).

12. What is DHA or Dihydroxyacetone?

This is a common ingredient in some tanning lotions. According to Wikipedia - "DHA is the most abundant essential fatty acid (polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFAs) in the brain and retina. It comprises 40% of the PUFAs in the brain and 60% of the PUFAs in the retina. 50% of the weight of the neuron's plasma membrane is composed of DHA.

Of all the fatty acids, DHA has the largest effect on brain PUFA composition. DHA is found in three phospholipids: phosphatidylethanolamine, ethanolamine plasmalogens, and phosphatidylserine (PS). It modulates the carrier-mediated transport of choline, glycine, and taurine, the function of delayed rectifier potassium channels, and the response of rhodopsin contained in the synaptic vesicles, among many other functions.

DHA deficiency is associated with cognitive decline. PS controls apoptosis, and low DHA levels lower neural cell PS and increase neural cell death. DHA is depleted in the cerebral cortex of severely depressed patients."

So how does it help while tanning?

According to Medicinenet.com - "DHA is a colorless chemical (it is derived from glycerin) that interacts with the amino acids in dead skin cells to produce a brown color change. Since these dead skin cells are constantly being shed, the color change produced by DHA usually lasts about five to seven days."

13. Can I be allergic to tanning lotions?

Yes. There are many ingredients in tanning lotion that can react with your skin differently. The most common allergic reactions occur with tingle tanning lotions because they are designed to irritate the skin to produce the desired affects. This is why I suggest testing out your lotion on your arm prior to using it to tan. This is the preferred method especially if you have never used the lotion before. Tingling tanning lotions will cause mild irritation. If the irritation persists or causes an allergic reaction than I would suggest using a different type of lotion.

14. Do all beds work the same?

No. Different beds produce different levels of UV light. It depends on the bulbs and the power of the bed. If you are tanning in a salon that is new to you, I would suggest starting with the level 1 beds to ensure that you do not get burned. You can always go back and use higher level beds after you know what each level of bed is capable of.

15. How long should I tan for in order to get my desired tan?

It all depends on your type of skin and reaction to the UV in the bulbs. Different people tan differently so start at a low level and work your way up. Your body may produce melanin differently than your friend. Most salons give you a questionnaire to fill out before you tan. Make sure you answer the questions honestly to ensure that they can make the proper suggestions for what level of bed and tanning lotion might be best for you.

16. Is there anything other than tanning lotions that I can use to tan?

Yes. There are tanning towels. The towels or sunless towelettes are designed to give you a tan without having to expose yourself to UV rays. There are typically two strengths of sunless towelettes and they are great for people who don't like to tan often. There is a regular and extra strength version. The regular version is for people with fair skin or people who do not have a base tan yet. The extra strength sunless towelette is used for people who already have a nice base tan. Do not apply moisturizers or shower after using a sunless towelette.

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