FAQ's

Q) Is it all right to sunbathe outside immediately before or after I go tanning?

A) No. Going tanning before or after sunbathing outside can lead to overexposure and possible damage to your skin. If you have spent considerable time in the sun, chances are that you have received significant UV exposure. Jumping in a tanning bed after a day at the beach will not make you tan quicker, it will only increase the chances of a burn, and the likelihood of damaging you skin.

Q) Is indoor tanning the same as tanning in the sun?

A) Yes. A photon of UV light is the same whether it comes from the sun or from a UV lamp. When tanning indoors, your body produces a tan in the same manner as when you tan outdoors. An important advantage of tanning indoors is that the amount of UV light you receive is regulated, and there is greater control of exposure. You can gradually increase your exposure times to get a tan, while helping to minimize sunburn.

Q) Do I have to wear eye protection when tanning indoors?

A) Yes. Your eyelids do not provide adequate protection from UV light. Although there may be no immediate symptoms, damage may be occurring to your eyes which can lead to vision problems. Always wear eye protection when tanning--you only get one pair of eyes.

Q) Can I tan while I am pregnant?

A) No. Probably not for the reason you think, either. It does not have to do with the "tanning" part of the experience, as in the UV rays, but rather the heat produced by the tanning unit. Excess heat can be harmful to the pregnancy and can cause complications. You should not tan while you are pregnant.

Q) What are the white spots I see on my body since tanning?

A) The little white spots that won't tan, usually found on the upper torso, shoulders, and neck are call "sun spots." They are a type of fungus, similar to dandruff, and are harmless. They can be pretty common to tanners and are easily treatable. There are sun spot products available in your salon which should eliminate the problem. If your salon doesn't carry any, then try a dandruff shampoo, such as Tegrin. Apply it to the affected area twice a day for two weeks and the spot should go away.

Myth's and Facts

MYTH “I've heard that indoor tanning is more harmful than tanning outdoors because the UV light exposure is more intense.”

FACTS People tanning indoors are exposed to a scientifically calibrated amount of UV light. When used according to the U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationÍs exposure guidelines (posted on each machine), tanning beds are designed to maximize tanning and minimize burning. Conversely, tanning outdoors is an unregulated environment. There are many factors that have to be considered when you tan outdoors: geography, time of day, weather conditions, the seasons, and the ozone layer. Remember the best way to safeguard yourself from sun damage is to wear appropriate levels of SPF sunscreens outdoors Ü even if you already have a tan. You should also know that, even with sunscreen protection, UV exposure can still lead to skin cancer and premature aging, even if you donÍt burn.

MYTH “My friend was tanning every day in a sun bed at a salon. After about a week she started to notice a strange burnt smell, but she wasn't sunburned. She went to a doctor, and he told her that the tanning bed was beginning to bake her internal organs, creating the smell.”

TRUTH The UV light from a sun bed is similar to UV light from the sun, and cannot penetrate deeper than the skin to harm internal organs. The odor your friend noticed is probably whatÍs commonly known as the ñafter tanî odor, a common occurrence, which is caused by harmless bacteria. Have your friend try a lotion with bioecolia, such as Polarity, a Step 1 lotion, or Helix, a Step 2 lotion.

MYTH “I know someone who caught AIDS (or herpes) from a tanning bed.”

TRUTH The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that this is physically impossible. The AIDS virus, as well as other serious viral diseases, does not live outside the body. This fear may come from the fact than many people lay nude in sun beds during their tanning session (in order to eliminate tan lines). However, even if there is profuse sweating, the AIDS virus, or other venereal diseases, cannot be passed to the next user. Additionally, tanning salons are required by law to disinfect the acrylic liner in the tanning bed between uses.