Going to a tanning salon is a great way to brighten up your skin color and prepare for swimsuit season. However, if you've never been to a tanning salon before, you may not know the protocol when starting out. Here are four tips to help beginners get started with tanning beds.
Build a Base Tan with Accelerator Cream
You may be tempted to spend a long time in a tanning bed when starting out, but a little goes a long way. If you spend too much time in the tanning bed, you risk burning. It's important to build up a base tan before you extend your tanning times. A base tan is a gradual, light tan that develops in the beginning before you proceed with darker tan shades. Ask your tanning salon about accelerator creams. These creams should keep your skin moisturized, protect it from UV damage, and help you build up a base tan more easily.
Avoid Deodorants and Makeup While Tanning
If you wear makeup, deodorant, or other products on your skin, you risk developing an uneven tan since these products can obstruct the tanning bed's rays. Furthermore, some makeup ingredients might react to UV rays, which could cause sensitivity or even allergic reactions, like rashes, on the skin. You should go in with clear, clean skin to get the best results.
Use a UV-Blocking Towel for Certain Areas
You probably already know that you need to wear protection for your eyes, but don't forget about other sensitive areas of your body. For instance, the skin on your chest and face is thinner than the rest of your body, so it may not require as much tanning to get the results that you want. Ask the tanning salon for a UV-blocking towel. You can lay these towels over sensitive areas of skin after certain intervals so that you can still safely tan other areas of your body.
Take Care of Your Skin Before and After Tanning
To make the most of your tanning sessions, you should shave and exfoliate your skin a few days before your appointment. Your skin will be smoother, and you'll slough dead skin cells which can help even out your tan. After your tanning session, it's important to rehydrate to extend the lifespan of your tan and keep your skin looking plump. Use a moisturizer afterward with hyaluronic acid, as this chemical can help to lubricate your skin and increase its elasticity.
Reach out to a tanning service like Tan Your Hide for more information and tips.