Why Is Indoor Tanning “Smart Tanning?”
Indoor tanning, for those who can develop a tan, is the sensible way to minimize the risk of sunburn while maximizing the enjoyment and benefit of having a tan. We call this “smart tanning” because tanners are taught by trained tanning facility personnel on how their skin type reacts to sunlight, as well as how to avoid getting a sunburn both outdoors and in a salon.
Tanning in a professional facility minimizes risk because indoor tanning is government regulated. In Canada, exposure times for every tanning session are established by a schedule present on every piece of equipment. Exposure times take into account both the tanner’s skin type and the intensity of the equipment, this then delivers a dosage of sunlight designed to minimize the risk of sunburn. The schedule, as regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada, also takes into account how long an individual has been tanning, and gradually increases exposure times in order to minimize the possibility of burning.
This kind of control is impossible when tanning outdoors, where variables including seasonality, time of day, weather conditions, reflective surfaces and altitude all make outdoor tanning a random act and sunburn prevention more difficult.

Tanning is a Natural Body Process – It is Not Damage
Tanning is your body’s natural protection against sunburn—it is what your body is designed to do. Many have referred to this process as “damage” to your skin, but calling a tan “damage” is a dangerous oversimplification. Here are some reasons why:
  • Saying tanning is damaging to your skin is like saying exercising is damaging to your muscles. When you exercise you are actually tearing tiny muscle fibers in your body. To some, that could be called “damage.” However, that “damage” is your body’s natural way of building stronger muscle tissue. Therefore, to call exercise “damaging” to muscles would be terribly deceiving. The same idea can be applied to sun exposure: Your body is designed to repair any damage to the skin caused by ultraviolet light exposure. Developing a tan is the body’s natural way to protect against the dangers of sunburn and further exposure.
  • To say that any ultraviolet light exposure causes skin damage is an oversimplification. This would be similar to saying that since water causes drowning, humans should avoid water. Yes, water does cause drowning, but our bodies also need water; we would die without it. Similarly, we need sun exposure; we would die without it.
It is the professional indoor tanning industry’s position that sunburn prevention is a more effective message than sun avoidance, which ultimately encourages abuse. It is a responsible, honest approach to the issue.

Are there any benefits to tanning?
Besides healthy looking skin, indoor tanning can duplicate other beneficial properties of sunlight. There is strong evidence that sunlight is known to: aid in building the resistance strength of the immune system, help us produce vitamin D, increase the body's ability to absorb calcium, build our skin's resistance which helps protect against over-exposure, and help combat depression and induce and energized feeling of well-being. In addition to these, tanning can also increase the supply of oxygen in the blood, help in the treatment of acne, psoriasis and eczema, stimulate the thyroid gland which boosts your metabolism and stimulate the male sex hormone which can increase the sex drive.


Immediately After UV Exposure
It can take up to 48 hours after UV exposure for your tan to fully develop. By moisturizing and rehydrating right after UV exposure you help your skin boost collagen production, promote skin elasticity, and help achieve the best and longest lasting tan possible.

While Bathing
When showering or bathing, select products designed to be gentle to the skin. Products with low alkaline base will help prevent drying of the skin and help keep your tan longer.


After Bathing
Use a moisturizer after bathing while the skin is still damp. Applying moisturizer to dry skin is of little use because it is not very easily absorbed. The result would be similar to putting hair conditioner on dry hair - you wouldn't get an even absorption across the shaft of the hair.


After You Workout
When you workout you perspire. Consequently, your body loses moisture through the skin. Help keep your tan going by reapplying moisturizer after your workout.


Drink Up
In order to complete the skincare picture, remember to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. This rehydrates tired & stressed out skin, helps clear up facial blemishes and helps shed unwanted pounds. So drink up and reap the benefits.

The Forces of Nature
There are many forces at work against keeping your skin healthy. During the winter, lack of humidity and the wind remove critical moisture from the skin. During the summer the sun's rays, chlorine in the pool, and the sand and salt at the beach all work against your skin. Be your skin's friend and select a high quality moisturizer, something with no mineral oils or petroleum to clog your pores.


Q: How does my body get tanned?
A: Gradually, with layers of oxidized melanin. The operative word here is gradually. There is no such thing as a quick tan! The first time you expose yourself to the ultraviolet rays; UVB rays penetrate the skin and stimulate the tanning cells to produce melanin. The UVA rays then add oxygen to the melanin, causing it to turn brown within 24-48 hours. This browned (oxidized) melanin is the first layer of a tan. Each time you expose yourself to the ultraviolet rays, another layer of oxidized melanin is formed. These layers build up gradually over several consecutive exposures and give your skin that brown color you're looking for--your tan!


Q: How long will it take to get a tan?
A: Everyone's skin is different, and the tanning process occurs at different speeds depending on a person's skin type. Those with darker complexions will usually tan faster than those with fair skin. As a general rule, 10-15 consecutive sessions (every other day or not more than 4 times per week) will give you a base tan. This also depends on whether or not you use an accelerator and the condition of your skin. We recommend 2 sessions a week to maintain your tan.


Q: Do I have to use protective eyewear?
A: Absolutely yes! The potential risk of eye injury from unprotected UV exposure is serious and real. Failure to wear goggles may result in burns, cataracts, poor night vision or possible permanent loss of sight. We require that every tanner purchase their own eyewear. A small price to pay and remember you only have one set of eyes. Take good care of them!

Q: Why Should I use a lotion?
A: Perhaps the most important reason is that our lotions contain tyrosine, an amino acid not found in regular moisturizers. Tanning indoors or outdoors is drying to your skin. An accelerator will naturally speed up the production of melanin so the pigments will begin to darken immediately. Healthy skin care products will tan you faster, darker, and you will keep your tan longer. An accelerator will help you tan 60% faster and maintain your tan 90% longer. Without the use of an accelerator, the tanning process can be delayed while the melanin in your skin is being activated by the lights. Dry, neglected skin reflects UV light, not allowing it to tan underneath. It also exfoliates faster, causing the tan to fade quickly. All of our tanning products can be used for indoor and outdoor tanning. Remember if you plan to use the products we sell outdoors, they do not have sunscreen. Note: it is important to know that only those products designed for indoor tanning should be used in our tanning beds. Other products may contain ingredients that could slow down the tanning process as well as damage the expensive acrylic shields in the beds. These products leave a film that causes the acrylic to break down and crystallize. This film will not allow customer to receive the best tan. If you are unsure about a product you have, please ask a Sales Associate. Remember after tanning—Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!!!

Q: Why do my lips become so dry when tanning?
A: Your lips do not have melanin and are vulnerable to drying, burning, and blistering. Your lips need at least a sunscreen with an SPF-15 whether you are tanning indoors or outdoors.

Q: What should I wear while tanning indoors?
A: This is your personal choice. If you tan in the nude we recommend tanning sensitive areas slowly--expose them part of the time and cover them part of the time until that area of the body is conditioned to tanning.