ETS Tanning Bed Blog

Salon owners, are you educating your customers on the importance of a good moisturizer as a part of their tanning regimen?

Like tanning lotion, moisturizing lotion is an important part of the indoor tanning process.

It's important because the UV lights can dry out your skin. Moisturizing preserves and extends tanning results, enhances the appearance of an existing tan, and moisturizes the skin so it looks and feels better. Moisturizing makes the skin soft, smooth, healthier-looking, helps prevent peeling and flaking, and won't clog pores.

Even after the tanning bed shuts off, the tanning process is still going on. That means it's vital your customers keep their skin moisturized during and after this process. A good moisturizing lotion like Australian Gold's Moisture Lock Tan Extender .

Finally, it's easier to tan moist skin. That's because dry skin, as it turns white from the dryness, will actually reflect some of the UV rays. On the other hand, moist skin will absorb those rays, making them tan easier.

Customers should use moisturizing lotion to get that better tan and to make it last longer. Skin dries out and exfoliates and the more you moisturize the healthier your skin becomes and you don't lose your tan.

For salon owners, the message to relate to your customers is to moisturize the skin one way or another to help protect the skin and to enhance the tan. It's good to ask your customer how important their skin is and once they answer, then you can make the recommendations.

This also becomes an extra revenue stream for you, because you'll recommend your products, which will benefit them.

By having a customer talk to a professional, the tanning pro can recommend the best type of moisturizer to use. There are several, varying lines and they represent different prices and ingredients.

Believe it or not, using a single tanning lotion is not a good idea when trying to tan at an indoor salon .

Tanning lotion was first used in the 1960s and has evolved from one basic lotion to many different varieties. There are two main varieties, outdoor and indoor tanning lotion. Indoor tanning lotion is designed to amplify the effects of ultraviolet light rather than block them. This is usually done by using ingredients that promote tanning by increasing the blood flow to the skin, thereby increasing the amount of melanin that is brought to the top layers of the skin.

But why should a customer consider rotating tanning lotions? Not all tanning lotions are the same and not all are made with the same type of ingredients. By using different tanning lotions, they can help you obtain a better, well-rounded tan for your skin and who better to help the customer than the trusty pro behind the counter? Your tanning salon Professional is trained to identify your tanning & skin care needs and direct you to the lotion products that will meet those needs and your budget.

By rotating lotions, you actually enhance the tanning process because you are changing the active ingredients and each ingredient is designed to enhance the tanning process in different ways.

Some of the active ingredients found in common tanning lotions include melanin, L-Tyrosine, tea oil, copper – which is in many different chemical compounds – green tea extract, and many types of natural oils. Ingredients vary widely from brand to brand. What goes into one brand is different than what goes into another brand; and thus the competition begins. Lotions contain a mix of tanning enhancing ingredients and skin care ingredients which dictate the cost of each lotion. When selecting a tanning lotion your salon professional can help you to identify which ingredients best meet you objectives and then guide you to the correct lotion at a price that will fit your budget.

Tanning lotions and moisturizers come in many different fragrances and fragrance free alternatives are available for those individuals that have allergies or sensitive skin. Much like perfumes & colognes tanning lotions and moisturizers allow the customer to choose the fragrance that matches their individual style.

Indoor tanners should apply between a half-ounce to a full once of tanning lotion per tanning session, spreading liberally over all exposed areas to properly moisturize their skin so as to maximize their tanning session. When selecting a tanning lotion it is best to purchase your lotion from a professional tanning salon as brands sold at other retailers may include ingredients that will damage the acrylic surface you lay on in a tanning bed. Many tanning salons prohibit the use of brands not specifically manufactured for indoor tanning due to the potential for damage to the tanning bed acrylic. Your salon professional can provide you with a list of brands that are specifically manufactured for use in indoor tanning beds.

Tanning regularly is the key to getting the best tanning bed tan. If you let your sessions lapse, your tan will soon follow.

Building Up a Tan

When you first start building a tan, you should be going to an indoor tanning salon between three and four times a week. Once you’ve built up that base tan, you’ll only need maintenance sessions between one and three times a week, depending on your skin tone. If you’re using a high-pressure bed, you can often get away with going once every two weeks.

Most people see results after just a few tans, but it can take about three weeks of regular tanning before you’ll see a deep, noticeable tan. Remember, tanning is a process not a race. So, if you’re trying to get a base tan before your next vacation, you’ll want to plan ahead and start working on your tan three to four weeks ahead of time.

The Benefits of Lotions

When tanning indoors, you don’t have to wear an SPF lotion. Why? Because an SPF lotion is designed to protect you while spending an extended amount of time in the sun. When you’re using a tanning bed you’re only getting a few minutes of exposure as opposed to a few hours.

You also want to avoid using outdoor lotions in indoor tanning beds. These lotions can harm the tanning bed acrylics and adversely affect your tan. Instead, use products that are designed specifically for indoor tanning. These lotions are sold at all tanning salons and are designed to both moisturize the skin and help you achieve a deeper, better tan.

Tanning Safety

A good tanning salon will be able to offer you a skin analysis and recommend a tanning program that will help you achieve the color you want. For example, someone with fairer skin may need to start with a shorter exposure time, gradually increasing their tanning bed time with each visit. You can tan up to a maximum of once every 24 hours, but you should wait at least 48 hours between tanning sessions.

Finally, you should never tan (outdoors or indoors) if you’re currently using photosensitizing medication. Drugs like Accutane, Cipro, Intal and even Benadryl can dramatically increase the risk of overexposure. If you’re not sure, speak to your doctor, pharmacist or consult a tanning professional.