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1. How does tanning work?
Tanning beds use ultraviolet (UV) light to tan people. There
are three types of UV; UVA, UVB, and
UVC. Tanning beds are designed to concentrate optimal levels
of UVA in conjunction with very low percentages of UVB, on
the outermost layers of skin so as to stimulate the
production of Melanin pigment, which is slightly pink in
it’s dormant state, and cause it to turn brown after
excretion. The more melanin cells that are present in the
skin determine the amount of pigment that will be excreted
and distributed, and therefore the extent of the tan.
Tanning beds are designed to filter this UVC, as this is a
harmful type of UV.
2. How deep can tanning rays really go?
There is an urban legend about a “Roasted Tanner” who
supposedly roasted her internal organs by tanning too much.
Don’t give it a second thought. A UVA ray (the rays in
tanning beds) can only travel as deep as the dermis, which
is the middle skin layer. UVB can’t even travel that deep.
3. Why is it important to develop a base tan?
Moderate exposure to UVB helps develop a natural barrier in
the skin to protect the body from excessive UV light. UVB
stimulates the production of melanin, which then surrounds
the core of cells to protect DNA. This melanin substance
absorbs and/or scatters radiation. In addition to UVB
thickens the epidermis (the top layer of skin), there by
limiting the amount of UV light, which could penetrate the
lower skin layers. If this photo protection (base tan) is
not developed or a sunscreen is not used, sunburn can occur
and the DNA of the skin cells may become damaged. Repeated
sunburn can result in damaged cells, which then reproduce
themselves. This can be the beginning of skin cancer.
4. Do I have to take my contact lenses out when I use a
tanning bed or booth?
No, although you may want to. Although eyewear will protect
your eyes and lenses from UV damage, the heat emitted from
the tanning equipment may dry out the lenses and irritate
your eyes.
5. My face and legs don't tan very well. What should I
do?
Our face is the only part of our body that does not produce
it's own moisture. Our legs become a little dryer because of
clothing, hosiery etc. Fact is that moist skin tans much
better that dry skin. Use a moisturizer at least twice
daily. This is not only applicable to the face and legs but
all parts of your body.
6. What causes the scent that I smell after tanning?
In a word, “melanin” is the cause. Ultraviolet light in the
UVA range causes melanin to enlarge and turn brown. During
the process, dermatologists say a chemical reaction takes
place. A natural side effect of the reaction is the aroma.
This occurrence is normal whether you've been tanning inside
or outside. Some tanning lotions have been designed to
minimize or prevent the odor from occurring, but ultimately
a shower will remove the odor.
7. What should I wear to tan?
That’s up to you! Undress and tan as you wish in swimwear,
underwear, etc.
8. Does heat matter?
No, the temperature of the tanning unit does not play a roll
in you tanning results. You will not receive a better tan if
it is scorching hot or average to the touch.
9. I have reached a point that I just can't get any
darker. What can I do?
Your skin actually becomes thicker as your tanning
progresses and makes it difficult for UV light to penetrate
the upper layers of skin. This is commonly referred to as a
tanning "Plateau". Moisturizer is extremely important at
this point. Your skin cells are standing up as much as
45°, and are actually reflecting UV rays. Using a lot of
moisturizing lotion will help these cells lay down and
become more translucent, there- fore more receptive to UV
rays. Our recommendation is to use a good step 1 (or non
tingle) tanning lotion for 2 to 3 tans to get your skin
softened up then start a rotation with a step 2 (or hot
action) tanning lotion. Rotate your tans, two tanning
sessions with the step 1 tanning lotions then, one tanning
session with the step 2 tanning lotion. Keep this rotation
up and use plenty of moisturizer, you will get over your
tanning Plateau.
10. Are there certain medications that will make me
sensitive to UV exposure?
Yes, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you
have a question on any of the medications that you are
currently taking.
11. How do I protect a fresh tattoo?
It is important not to expose a fresh tattoo to sunlight or
indoor tanning equipment, while the tattoo is still healing,
since chemicals sensitive to UV exposure have been injected
into the skin. Cover the tattooed area completely or don’t
tan until the skin has healed. After the skin has healed the
chemicals have lost their sensitivity to UV, but continue to
take moderate protective measures. Tattoos will continue to
lose their brilliancy with exposure to UV light, whether it
comes from indoors or from outdoors.
12. How often am I allowed to tan?
It is suggested a 24-hour time period to pass between
tanning sessions. Pigmentation and/or over-exposure may not
be fully visible for 12 to 24 hours after your original
session. Two tanning session within a 24 hour period could
result in an unintentional burn. Ask your salon for any
specific requirements.
13. How long does it take to get a tan?
This depends upon the skin type of each individual as well
as the tanning equipment they are using to develop their
tan. While some may notice significant results in just a few
sessions, it can take others several weeks of tanning three
times a week to get their “base tan”. Output of the tanning
equipment and the tanning lamps is also a factor.
14. Do I really need to wear goggles while tanning?
ABSOLUTELY! It is of utmost importance! Your skin can
tan-your eyes can't. Federal law requires all tanning salons
to supply customers with proper eye protection. This eyewear
must meet federal government standards by blocking 99% of
UVA and UVB rays. Closing the eyelids, wearing sunglasses,
or using cotton balls over your eyes is not adequate
protection as the UV rays will easily penetrate these things
and continue into the eyes.
15. How do I prevent "raccoon eyes"?
Adjust your eyewear once in a while during your tanning
session will help reduce the demarcation of tanned to
non-tanned skin. You can make this adjustment by gently
sliding your eyewear to a new position. You should never
lift the eyewear off of your eyes during adjustment.
16. Can I tan if I am pregnant?
Please consult your physician. Although we know that there
is no danger from UV rays since they cannot penetrate deeper
than the dermis (skin layer), pregnant women are advised to
be cautious with saunas, hot tubs, and other things that can
cause excessive heat to build up in the uterus.
17. A 20-minute session in a tanning bed is equivalent to
how many hours in the natural sun?
It is difficult to make a simple comparison between the sun
and modern indoor tanning equipment. Just as various kinds
of indoor tanning lamps and equipment differ in spectral
output and energy emitted, the sun's strength is dependant
on several factors as well, such as the time of day or year,
the latitude, cloud cover, pollution and reflection.
Consequently, there is no formula for relating indoor
tanning exposure times to outdoor exposure times.
18. If a person cannot tan in the sun, will he/she tan
indoors?
Normally, a person tans indoors only as well as he/she is
able to tan outdoors. Yet, those fair-skinned people who
generally cannot tolerate the uncontrolled rays of the sun
often achieve some color when tanning indoors. This can be
attributed to a different spectral output as well as
carefully timed sessions in a controlled tanning
environment. Skin type, heredity, and individual
photosensitivity all determine who will have success tanning
indoors.
19. Is indoor tanning the same as tanning outdoors in the
sun?
Yes and no. The process of tanning is the same-skin is
tanning by ultraviolet (UV) light. The main difference,
however, is that a person can not control the amount of UV
light they are exposed to while outside due to changes in
the earth’s atmosphere. Also, the sun emits what is called
UV light, which is the most harmful of all ultraviolet rays.
Tanning beds filter this UVC light out.
20. Should I shower after a tanning session?
Taking a shower after tanning will not wash your tan away. A
natural tan takes 24-48 hours to develop. The tanning
process occurs within the epidermis when melanocyte cells
are stimulated by ultraviolet light that causes them to
produce the pigment melanin. Melanin production results in
the tanned appearance of the skin and is the skin's natural
defense against the sun and over-exposure, i.e. sun burning.
Melanin travels to the surface, where it eventually flakes
off. This process allows us to develop new skin every four
to eight weeks. Keeping your skin hydrated and exfoliated
will help maintain a more radiant and healthy-looking tan.
21. Should I shower before a tanning session?
A shower is not recommended 1 hour before an indoor tanning
session but you should remove any makeup or perfume before
the session. Some ingredients in makeup and perfume can make
skin more sensitive to UV light and lead to overexposure or
sunburn.
22. Do I have to sunburn first to obtain a good tan?
Like most activities in life, indoor and outdoor tanning
must be done in moderation. A beautiful tan is achievable
without overexposure. Reddening is a body’s warning that the
skin has been overexposed to ultraviolet light. Do not
ignore this warning. If you continue to expose red skin to
ultraviolet rays, the skin’s natural repair mechanism
becomes overloaded. This may lead to chronic light-induced
skin damage in which the resilient fibers of the lower skin
layers are harmed, causing them to sag.
23. Why do some people itch after tanning?
Itching and/or rashes may be linked to several unrelated
causes. Some people are naturally photosensitive; that is,
they may have an allergy, which becomes symptomatic upon
exposure to UV light. Others are susceptible to heat rashes,
a cause totally unrelated to UV light. Certain chemicals or
ingredients found in cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, and even
the acrylic cleaner used on the beds may cause itching as
well. Rashes caused by these products generally occur in
localized areas on which the products were applied. You
should tan with the skin as clean as possible. If
discontinued use of a suspected product does not inhibit
rash, you should discontinue your exposure to UV light until
the condition subsides or see a physician.
24. What causes White Spots?
There are several reasons why white spots become noticeable
on the body once the tanning process begins: Patches of
skin, which do not tan, could be the result of genetic
determination. White spots could also appear due to the
presence of a fungus, which lives on the skin's surface.
While the fungus is harmless, it does absorb UV light, which
would normally penetrate the skin. This fungus did not
appear as a result of tanning; it merely becomes noticeable
once tanning occurs. It can be remedied through the use of
prescription drugs or topical lotions. White patches of
skin, which are often prominent on the shoulder blades and
just above the buttocks, can be caused by pressure from the
body as it reclines on a hard tanning bed surface. This
pressure inhibits the flow of blood through that area of
skin. Since blood carries oxygen, which is essential to the
tanning process, this area does not tan. Periodic body
shifting during tanning will make these patches disappear.
Certain medications can react unfavorable with exposure to
UV light. |
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