Frequently Asked Questions about Tanning lotions & Products
Tan Without Sand

Our goal is to bring you the High Quality indoor & outdoor tanning products you want at great prices. For convenience, we have broken down lotions into basic categories to help you determine what you need:

• Build a Tan 'Step One' – lotions designed to help stimulate melanin and provide moisture to improve tanning results when building your base tan. Anyone who has light color, or is starting to develop a tan should choose one of these lotions. You will use these until you hit your “tanning plateau” a point at which you are not getting any darker. Note: For best results do not Bath or Shower for two hours after tanning.
• Darken your Tan 'Step Two' – lotions designed to penetrate the skin with nutrients, minerals and amino acids; the building blocks of a deep dark tan. Many of these are “hot action” or “tingle” products, which accelerate circulation at the skin level providing superior results. If you have sensitive skin, Start with a lower Tingle Factor 2X, DO NOT choose one of the “hot action” or “tingle” 3x /10x or Higher products.
• Moisturize & Protect 'Step Three' – when building a healthy tan you must replace lost moisture, and protect your skin when outdoors for long periods of time. This category holds those type of products. For those who misjudge the sun's intensity occasionally, look at the “sunburn relief” products they are the best available.

1. How is the maximum exposure time for a tanning session determined?
The F.D.A. and regulations in your State determine an exposure schedule based on the intensity of each individual model of sunlamp and equipment. Your tanning salon professional complies with that schedule, and takes your skin type and tanning history into consideration.

2. Is indoor tanning as effective as outdoor tanning?
Yes, in fact, sometimes more so because you are in a controlled environment which blocks out the majority of harmful UV rays. The results and convenience of an “indoor tan” allows a year round healthy looking tan without concerns of prolonged exposure to the burning rays of the sun.

3. How long will it take to see results?
Most people will see a skin tone change after the first few sessions. Normally, you will have a good base tan in 8-10 consecutive sessions. One or two sessions a week thereafter will maintain your tan year round. There are special cells in the skin called melanocytes. Ultraviolet B rays stimulate these cells and cause them to produce melanin. As these cells migrate to the surface of the skin, ultraviolet A rays oxidize them; thus creating a tan. Each of us has a different amount of melanin. Fair-skinned, fair-haired people generally have less than dark-haired, dark-skinned people. This determines, for the most part, how quickly your skin will tan.

4. Can I use outdoor oils and lotions in the tanning bed?
Just as the word indicates, outdoor products should ONLY be used outdoors, as they can cause a film on the acrylic. This actually inhibits the tanning process, rather than acting as an amplifying agent. There are many excellent indoor tanning products for that purpose. Ask your tanning professional for recommendations.

5. If I have a good base tan, is it still possible to burn outdoors?
Having a good base tan does provide a defense mechanism, but should you overexpose, whether indoors are out, the chance of burning is possible.

6. If I have difficulty tanning outdoors, will the same be true in a tanning bed?
Each person tans at a different pace. Some skin types tan quickly and easily while others may require more sessions. If you are unable to tan outdoors, you may be one of those people who will take longer to produce a good color or may never show a significant tan because of lack of pigment. Approximately 5% of the population is unable to tan.

7. What should I wear to tan?
Many people choose to wear a swimsuit, just as they would at the beach. Because of the privacy of indoor tanning, others tan in the nude to avoid tan lines. Any skin that has never been exposed to ultraviolet light before, will be more sensitive. These parts must acquire a tan slowly. Cut down the exposure time for these areas to 1/3 or less of the total time recommended by your tanning professional. When you can't see any tan lines on your body at all, it's safe to expose that skin the same length of time as the rest of your body.

8. Will tanning lighten my hair?
If you tan regularly, and if your hair lightens when you tan outdoors, the same is likely to happen in a tanning bed. By covering your hair with a towel while tanning, you can avoid the hair-lightening process.

9. Are there guidelines to follow when tanning?
Yes; the following precautionary measures should be carefully observed:

• Do not attempt to tan all in one long session. A tan should always be obtained gradually and in incremental doses. Never tan more than once a day, as you would only be overexposing, causing potential damage to your skin.
• Because some medications can heighten one's sensitivity to UV light, you should always consult your physician before tanning if you are taking any medication.
• If you have any type of skin irritation or abnormality, consult your doctor before tanning.
• Do not apply any type of cosmetics or perfume before tanning, as they can act as a photosensitizer.
• Use only lotions or gels formulated specifically for indoor tanning.
• Keep your eyes closed while tanning, and always wear protective eyewear. Ultraviolet light penetrates the eyelids and the intense light can be harmful to your eyes.

10. How long will a session take me?
Depending on your skin type, tanning history, and F.D.A. regulations for the bed you are using, sessions range from 10-30 minutes. Use the following charts to determine your skin type & recommended exposure.

F.A.Q.'s

Q: How do we get a tan?

A: The tanning process is really quite simple, and it works the same way whether you tan indoors or outdoors. Ultraviolet light is the catalyst, and a pigment produced by your skin called melanin does the rest. More specifically:

Tanning occurs in the skin's outmost layer, the epidermis. About five percent of the cells in your epidermis are special cells, called melanocytes. Everyone has the same number of melanocytes on their body – about five million. Your heredity dictates your skin type, and how much melanin your body will produce. When exposed to ultraviolet B light (short-wave UV), the melanocytes produce melanin – the pigment that is ultimately responsible for your tan. The pinkish melanin travels up through the epidermis and is absorbed by other skin cells. When exposed to ultraviolet A light (longer-wave UV), the melanin oxidizes or darkens. This darkening of your skin – your tan – is its natural way of protecting itself against UV overexposure. A sunburn, or erythema, is a result of UV-overexposure – when too much light reaches the skin and disrupts the tiny blood vessel near the skin's surface, causing it to redden. The reddening is the result of increased blood circulation, naturally triggered by the skin trying to repair damaged cells. In order to most effectively avoid UV-overexposure, a tan should be acquired gradually, according to the guidelines recommended by a tanning salon professional.

Q: Why tan indoors?

A: We know that outdoors, we are exposed to a wide range of the sun's UV light, including the most intense rays. Indoor tanning systems do NOT utilize these potentially harmful rays. Tanning indoors also eliminates many environmental factors that are present outdoors, allowing us to carefully control each client's UV exposure and reduce the risk of sunburn. The design of the tanning system allows the UV light to reach all parts of your body for an even tan. The indoor tanning industry is at the forefront in educating the public about how to successfully avoid sunburn over the course of one's life. In fact, studies have consistently shown that indoor tanners, once they begin tanning in a professional salon, are up to 81% less likely to sunburn than they were before they started tanning indoors.

Q: How long does it take to get a tan?

A: While everyone is different, most people will notice results after just a few tanning sessions, but it may take a few weeks of regular tanning (at least three times a week) to get the color you are looking for. If you want to develop a base tan before going on a sunny vacation, you will want to start tanning about three or four weeks before you go.

Q: How often can I tan?

A: You can tan only once in a 24-hour period; pigmentation (tan) and/or erythema (sunburn) may not be fully visible for between 12-24 hours. Thus, two tanning sessions within a 24-hour period could cause unintentional overexposure. You can achieve excellent results with three or four sessions per week, and maintain your tan with two or three sessions per week. Of course, everyone tans differently, and your daily skin care regimen will affect the life of your tan.

Q: Do I need 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.

Q: How well do tanning lotions really work?

A: Lotions that have been created for indoor tanning help you tan faster, replace, and maintain moisture of the skin. Many help to reduce and combat the signs of aging. By supplying your skin with needed vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and moisture, these lotions can help you tan faster than using no lotion at all. By using these lotions you can tan faster in fewer sessions with less UV exposure. Lotions intended for OUTDOOR use will damage bed acrylics and must not be used in a tanning bed.