The fundamentals of indoor tanning

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 very important to understand the tanning process so you can know what to expect from your next visit to one of our salons.

It's understood that when you start tanning 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 even seem like nothing happened, but remember, it can take up to 48 hours for melanogenisis (the darkening of skin) to begin. You may also want to use a tanning accelerator to help achieve the maximum result possible.

Once you've got some color

After you have started tanning, your session length can be adjusted slowly till you reach the desired level of darkening — but keep in mind, everybody’s skin is different! 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 if you are someone switching to a new tanning center and 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. Our tanning consultants 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.

Also, tanning beds tend to dry skin. 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 salon, is strongly encouraged.

Temple of Tanning requires that all users of our tanning beds use 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.

Skin Typing Chart

Type	Skin Reaction	Examples
1	Tans little or not at all, always burns easily and severely, then peels.	People most often with fair skin, blue eyes, freckles, white unexposed skin.
2	Usually burns easily and severely (painful burn); tans minimally and lightly; also peels.	People with fair skin, blue or hazel eyes, blonde or red hair, white unexposed skin.
3	Burns moderately, gains average tan.	Average Caucasian, white unexposed skin.
4	Burns minimally, tans easily and above average with each exposure, exhibits IPD (Immediate Pigment Darkening) reaction.	People with light or brown skin, dark brown hair, dark eyes, unexposed skin is white or light brown (Asians, Hispanics, and Mediterraneans).
5	Rarely burns, tans easily and substantially, always exhibits IPD reaction.	Brown-skinned persons, unexposed skin is brown (East Indians, Hispanics, etc.).
6	Tans profusely and never burns, exhibits IPD reaction.	Persons with black skin (African and African Americans, Australian and South Indian Aborigines).
Information courtesy Looking Fit Magazine

Why Use a Lotion?

Lotions are a very important part of the tanning process. Using a tanning lotion helps lock in moisture that is lost during the tanning process. It also helps to smooth out skin and allows for optimum UV absorption. Lotions help you get darker faster and help you keep your tan longer. Skin should be hydrated to reach and maintain that desired tan. Dry skin reflects UV light and does not allow it to tan underneath. Dry skin also exfoliates faster which in turn causes a tan to fade quicker. We offer the most advanced lotions available including tingle lotions, cooling lotions, bronzers and accelerators.

What is a "TINGLE" Lotion?
A tingle lotion increases the microcirculation of the skin, or causes blood vessels in the skin to open, which increases blood flow. An increase in blood flow also increases the oxygenation of the skin and aids in the delivery of required nutrients. Tingle lotions take the tanner to the next level of darkness. Temple of Tanning offers a wide variety of tingles, ranging from mild to very intense tingles. It is not recommended that tanners with sensitive skin use tingle lotions, as they are likely to feel uncomfortable with the reddening and heating effects.

What is a "COOLING" Lotion?
A cooling lotion is for tanners who want to achieve a deep, dark tan without the actual heat of an indoor tanning bed. Cooling lotions use invigorating, botanical aromas such as Menthol, Eucalyptus Oil, Cucumber and Spearmint Oil to give the skin a clean, refreshing feel. They also help the tanner feel extra cool while tanning. Temple of Tanning carries several new, aromatic, cooling lotions that will awake the senses. There are also cooling lotions that include both the cooling effect and an intense tingle to take tanners to the next level of darkness.

What is a Bronzer?
Bronzers supplement a tan with a light self-tanner that delivers color in 2 to 4 hours while a natural tan develops. That bronze tint can be temporary and be removed with soap and water or it may contain DHA. DHA is commonly used as a self-tanning agent and causes the surface of the skin to brown. Some bronzers also contain both a temporary bronze tint and DHA. Temple of Tanning specializes in the most advanced levels of bronzing lotions to help you achieve that sun-kissed look.

What is an Accelerator?
Accelerators are used mainly to prep the skin for a tanning session. There are a variety of accelerators ranging from non-tingle accelerators, bronzing accelerators and tingle accelerators. Temple of Tanning can recommend an accelerator for those tanners wanting to build a strong base tan.