ETS Tanning Bed Blog

People often ask me how to get a darker tan and I always say the key is consistency, good tanning beds and going slow. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, tanning is a process. It’s not a race. You need to start your tanning off slow and build your initial tan up to a good base.

Build From the Base Up

Once you have that slowly built-up base, you can start to work on a rich, dark tan. Trust me, deep tans don’t come from single or occasional "power" sessions – they come from a consistent use of good tanning beds over a period of time.

Invest in a Good Lotion

Good, indoor tanning lotions (they must be approved for indoor use) are the key to getting a deep dark tan. Lotions serve two purposes – they keep the skin moisturized and they help it absorb the UV rays. Some lotions are also bronzers, meaning they can help deepen your color and give it a nice, dark tone.

Think of your skin as a wet sponge versus a dry sponge. An already wet sponge will actually absorb more water than a bone-dry sponge. Your skin reacts in a similar way. By keeping your skin moist while tanning, you’ll develop a darker tan quicker.

Most tanning experts agree that a good, indoor-approved lotion can make as much as a 40 percent difference in a tanning bed’s effectiveness. That’s a pretty big difference.

Stay Moist at Home

Finally, the moisturizing doesn’t stop after you get out of the tanning bed – you have to keep your skin well-moisturized at home too. Dry skin is flaky skin. To keep your tan lasting longer, moisturize regularly and drink lots of water because yes, you can moisturize your skin from the inside out too.