According to Tanningtruth.com, over 30 million Americans tan indoors at salons to achieve a sun-kissed appearance. Tanning indoors offers sun worshipers the opportunity to have a dark tan in less time than going outdoors in the sunlight. Most indoor tanning offered at tanning salons requires a one-time fee or monthly installment. Lotions are used to establish or condition a tan. Indoor tanning is a convenient and fast way to achieve a base tan or maintain a dark tan year-round.
Types
There are two main types of tans that can be obtained at a tanning salon or at home--tan by ultraviolet radiation light or a chemical spray tan achieved by lotion or airbrush. Both mimic the look of tanning outdoors under the sun's rays. Tanning beds and hex booths are set up indoors and generally use 75- to 100-watt bulbs to give off UVA and UVB radiation, resulting in a tan. People who are seeking sun and ultraviolet ray alternatives use self-tanning lotions and bronzers to achieve a suntanned look on their skin.
Time Frame
The time needed for indoor tanning in a bed or hex booth depends on the type of bed and how strong the lamps are. High-pressure tanning beds offer high-wattage bulbs but only allow the client to tan up to 10 minutes per session depending on their skin tone and depth of the tan. Regular beds with lower-watt lamps allow established tanners to tan between 15 and 30 minutes. Most salon owners or home tanning bed instructions suggest those establishing a base tan or those with light skin types to start off between three and five minutes for their first five tanning sessions. Airbrush tanning allows clients to see results right away with a bronzer. Like sunless tanners, it can take up to five or more hours for the faux tan to appear on the skin.
Benefits
Tanning in a bed or booth allows rays to reach almost every area of the body simultaneously. This saves time as opposed to tanning outside and having to turn or deal with bugs and cloudy conditions. Airbrush and self-tanning indoors eliminates the need for exposing the body to UV radiation--which can lead to the development of wrinkles and skin cancers such as melanoma.
Considerations
Indoor tanning can be expensive. Most people save when they purchase monthly or semiannual package plans. Most salons use co-pays and checking account withdrawals to make payment options flexible for clients. Tanning lotions and protective eyewear can be bought at most salons or online at companies like Lewiestanning.com. Consider purchasing tanning products specifically designed for indoor use because other lotions may include ingredients such as mineral oil that can damage the glass or surface of the beds.
Effects
A tan from a bed or booth generally lasts about seven to 10 days and is equivalent to a sunless tan. Tanning can also help with vitamin D deficiency while promoting relaxation and pampering. Some people feel that getting a tan indoors stimulates their senses and calms their moods.
