Avoiding Tan Lines from the Tanning Bed

Tanning beds became all the rage in the 1980's, just after Fredrich Wolff invented the tanning bed in the late 1970's. Currently, tanning salons are not as popular as back then, since the danger of melanoma, or skin cancer, has startled a good number of the avid tanning supporters.

Tanning still remains popular for:

• Teens and young adults want to attract the opposite sex


• Getting ready for spring break


• Bodybuilders tanning for competition


• Light therapy for seasonal depression

Whatever brought you here, you want to see how indoor tanning can work for you. You need to understand how to use a tanning bed. Realize that there are two fundamental classes of full body tanners to choose from, tanning beds and booths. The option of booth or bed might be determined by the tanning units accessible at tanning saloons in your area. Check with the cashier of your closest tanning saloon which of their packages will work best for your tanning goal.

Also, have them suggest an appropriate tanning lotion for you. There are as many varieties of tanning lotions as exist skin colors and tanning goals.

Once you've bought your tanning package, the attendant will assign a tanning bed and room number.

Once you're in your room, secure and lock the door, and get out of those clothes and into the bed. You can keep the bare essentials on if you're concerned about privacy or toasting your privates. Or if you're going for an even all-over tan, you may want to tan naked to prevent leaving tan lines.

How to use a tanning bed:
Apply tanning lotion all over your body, but not your face, since it can cause acne. Open the door of the tanning booth or lift the lid on the tanning bed, as appropriate.

Now, if you're using a tanning bed, you might want to position a pillow or towel under your head to make things more comfortable. You might also want to turn on your iPod and the fan. Things will get pretty warm when this things heat up.

If your hair is long, you'll want to secure your hair up on top of your head using a hair tie. This will make sure that your coif doesn't get in the way of the tanning lights and ensure that you don't wind with unusual tan lines on your face.

Next, and this is important, wear the protective goggles provided by the tanning saloon during the entire time that the tanning bed/tanning booth is in operation. The UVA/UVB energy from facial tanning units is so powerful that it can cause cataracts when you don't wear proper eye protection. Shutting your eyes will not protect you from the tanning lamps. Your eyelids are so thin that the a lot of the energy will go right through them and still injure your cornea.

At long last, start the tanning unit. You might have to press a "start" button or to set a timer, depending upon how your tanning saloon works. If you're just starting tanning and are fairly pale, your first few visits should be from six to ten minutes. After a while you can build up to as high as 30 minutes per session.

An important tanning fact is that your complexion remains the same when you're using a tanning bed. If you get sunburn quickly outside, you will probably burn even faster when indoor tanning.

Whether you use a bed or a booth, once the timer runs out, the lights will turn off, letting you know that you've been roasted to tanned perfection. Exit the bed/booth, remove your protective eyewear, and clean off the moisture with a towel. Dress yourself and collect your belongings!

Be sure to collect your tunes on your way out. Don't shower for the rest of the day; the active ingredients in soap can reduce your tan if you use them too soon after tanning. With this knowledge now at your disposal, you're all set for a healthy, radiant tanning bed tan.