Tanning outdoors doesn't really require many supplies. You simply grab a towel, some tanning lotion and maybe your sunglasses and head to the nearest beach to enjoy the sun's rays. A large bottle of water is a good addition to the kit, too. If you're tanning indoors, however, you will need to collect a few supplies to ensure the process is not only effective but also safe. According to Tanning Advisor, tanning indoors also offers the benefit of allowing you to control how much UV exposure you get, so that you can prevent a sunburn.
Lotions
Tanning lotions for indoor use are meant to enhance the tanning process, so you can get tan faster and more evenly. According to Lewies Tanning, tanning lotion contains a number of ingredients meant to enhance the tan, moisturize your skin and condition it. Most tanning lotions contain some type of oil, such as hemp or sunflower, that helps magnify the effect of UV rays on your skin, increasing the speed and depth of your tan.
Tanning lotions also contain moisturizers, since dry skin doesn't tan as well and tends to flake and peel. A number of different lotions are available, including some that enhance heat, produce a cooling sensation or have bronzers to add more color.
Goggles
The eyelid is too thin to protect your eyes from the UV rays emitted by the booths, so it's important that you always wear eye protection when tanning indoors. Plastic goggles are the most common protection eyewear available, but eye protection made of disposable metallic paper is also available. Goggles should fit snuggly and completely cover your eyes according to Master Tanning. For vertical tanning booths, make sure the goggles have an elastic cord to keep them in place.
Lips and Hair Savers
Tanning can be hard on hair, especially color-treated hair. To prevent the color from fading, try wearing a colored shower cap. Transparent caps will not be as effective, since the rays will pass through it. You can also wrap your hair in a towel if nothing else is available.
Lips can be especially sensitive to the strong UV rays. To protect them, always apply some SPF-15 lip balm before getting into the tanning bed. If you got your nails done recently, you should consider nail savers, as the UV rays can fade the color. Nail savers are small stickers that can be put on top of your nails before you get into the tanning bed and removed immediately after.
