How to Tan With Fair Skin

Tanning with fair skin can be tricky. But, having fair skin does not mean that a gorgeous tan is out of your reach. People with fair or pale skin can still benefit from the tanning bulbs. Just follow these tips for the best ways to safely tan if you have fair skin.

Tanning can affect different types of skin differently. Skin types are classified into six different categories, labeled I-VI. If you have the lightest type of skin, you are a type I skin type. This means that your skin type is most prone to burning while tanning.  There are some precautions you can take to avoid the burning.

• As strange as it may sound, showering before you tan can make a big difference. This is because perfumes and makeup can cause your skin to be more prone to burning.  
• Apply a sunscreen that contains an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least twenty to thirty. This helps the skin to tan without burning.
• Be certain to keep your fair skin moisturized. Purchase salon quality moisturizers which are specifically designed for indoor tanning. Apply the moisturizer before and after tanning sessions. Such formulas are specially intended to help skin remain healthy while tanning indoors. 
• Don't use tanning lotion when outside. These lotions are created for indoor tanning beds, which do not emit dangerous UVC rays. 
• Consider all areas of your exposed skin. Wearing a lip balm to protect against UV rays is a smart idea. This will keep your lips from being overexposed. Along with this, you should wear protective goggles every time you tan.
• Tanning fair skin is best done, initially, in very short time spans. This way, you are able to see how your skin will react. Then, you can increase your tanning times a little bit at a time, building up to your maximum session time. Stay patient and complete this process over a long period of time. 
• Between sessions, allow 24 to 72 hours to pass. Your tan develops over time. Try not to give in to the temptation to rush the process. 
• If tanning nude, during the first three or four sessions you should tan your sensitive body areas for only half the amount of time. 
• If you experience any skin problems such as a rash or itchiness after tanning, you should consult a physician.

How to Clean Tanning Bulbs

Owning a tanning bed means you will have to set aside time to remove the acrylics and bulbs occasionally to clean them of dirt and dust and dead skin cells. Whether you have a tanning salon or a tanning bed at home, it should be a monthly task that you set aside time for to remove the acrylics and the bulbs and clean it all thoroughly. If dust builds up you won’t tan as quickly or as evenly as you did before they got dirty. While it may seem that because you’re not tanning as quickly you might need to replace the bulbs, that is a mistaken belief. Many times as they might just need a thorough cleaning!

Tanning bulbs gather dead skin, dirt and dust and it accumulates on the tanning bulb and doesn’t allow for the UV rays to get through and causes your tan to take longer to build up and could also tan you unevenly. Take time on a monthly basis to clean off the bulbs. It will take an hour or so and you may want to recruit some help but it will help extend the life of your bulbs.

The first step in cleaning the bulbs is to remove the clear acrylic panels and set them aside. Read the instructions that came with your bed to find how to properly remove the panels. Lay down a clean sheet and then remove the tanning bulbs and lay them on the sheet. Never stand the bulbs on end as they can easily break.

Caution should be used at all times when handling the bulbs because you don’t want to break the filaments or the bulbs themselves.  Wrap the bulbs in a clean, dry cloth and pull the cloth from top to bottom of the bulb to gently remove all of the dust. After you’ve cleaned the bulb, set it aside onto a clean sheet so it doesn’t pick up the dust from the sheet. Using a clean cloth for each bulb should be the plan so you don’t transfer any dust from one bulb to another.

Replace the bulbs gently back into the bed with the second person helping you ease them back into the bed without bumping into another bulb or the edge of the bed itself. Once all of the bulbs have been replaced, place the thoroughly cleaned acrylic panels back into the tanning bed and you should be ready to go. 

Preparing for a the Tanning Salon Visit

Making your first trip to a tanning salon? Don't make the usual rookie mistakes! There are a few things you can do to get yourself and your skin ready for a session under the tanning bulbs and on your way toward a sun-kissed tan. The time you spend preparing for your trip to the salon will enhance the tan you receive afterwards. So do it right and reap the rewards.

First, if you’re on any antibiotics or other drugs, know they can negatively affect your skin and cause photosensitivity, regardless of the limited amount of time spent under the tanning bulbs. Check with your doctor before you head to a tanning to see if any medicine you’re on can cause side effects when exposed to UV rays.

Make certain your skin is prepared to fully benefit from the tanning bulbs. The way to do this is to have spent some time – days or even weeks if you have time – moisturizing your skin.

Also, exfoliate the day before you tan to get rid of all of the dead skin cells. You can use exfoliating creams and/or bath puffs to scrape off the dead skin cells. Make certain your exfoliation process is a gentle one though as you don’t want your skin to be raw or irritated. In truth, you should be moisturizing daily and exfoliating at least every other day as these processes keep your skin healthy and smooth year round.

You should definitely make sure you’re using a moisturizer the day of your tanning salon visit. Make certain the lotion doesn’t contain any sunscreen and the day of your visit you will want to avoid any kind of astringents or any products that contain alcohol (these will dry out your skin and make it harder to tan properly).

When you go the tanning salon, ask the person who works there how many sessions they think you will need to achieve the level of tan you want. You will want to space out your visits so that you get your tan gradually. If you’re planning to go on a vacation, it’s best to start your tanning sessions at least a month prior to the trip. For individuals with hard-to-tan skin, you may want to look at beginning your tanning two months prior to your vacation.

Time spent in a tanning salon can lead to a nice even tan – the kind you rarely get from lounging on a raft poolside. Having a base tan can also prevent you from getting a burn while on your vacation. So consider time under the tanning bulbs one more to-do item before that vacation, or simply give yourself that boost that comes with knowing your skin is glowing and golden.

Tips for Cleaning Your Tanning Bed

It's easy to overlook cleaning the tanning bed, particularly when you are the only one using it! Yet the bed needs to be cleaned regularly in order to have the best environment in which to get the best tan. Cleaning can be done when changing out the tanning lamps and should also be done more frequently, at least once a week. Fortunately, even though there is a lot to do, tanning beds are easy to clean.

Tanning lamps themselves need to be dusted regularly. If you allow too much dust to build up, there is the chance that the UV ray intensity could be decreased by about 10 percent.

Wipe off the reflector, another component that helps to aim the UV rays toward your skin. While not, technically, a part of the lighting mechanism, the ballast tray tends to collect dust and should be cleaned out on a regular basis. Keep in mind, however, that the tray does not need to be cleaned as often as the other parts.

There will be cooling fans in the ballast or on the canopy, or in both areas. These fans are an essential component of the bed, so be sure to clean the blades thoroughly.

Always sanitize the bed between each use. Contrary to popular belief, UV rays do not disinfect the surface in any way, thus be sure to clean the bed yourself

The main thing to keep in mind is that tanning bed maintenance, and cleaning, should be done on a regular basis, and should be done properly. If done so, you will have a clean bed and the best conditions to enjoy a good tanning session.

Tips for Changing Out Tanning Lamps

People use tanning beds for many reasons - to get a base tan before a vacation and for getting a tan when the sun or a tanning salon is just not an option. But as any tanning bed owners will tell you, there are times when you begin to notice that your tanning time is not as productive as normal. Don't fret! Chances are you just need to change out the tanning bulbs. Changing out bulbs is simple enough and can be done easily by yourself.

1. First, determine how many bulbs you'll need, what type, and purchase said lamps. A great place to look is online, as often bulbs are cheaper and just as good of quality as stores.
2. Next, grab a clean cotton cloth so you can clean the acrylic cover. Once the bed is apart, use your cloth to clean away all of the dust and debris.
3. After you have removed the old, burnt out tanning bulbs, install the new ones, handling the bulbs with care (as the insides are hazardous).
4. Once the new bulbs have been installed, gently clean off any fingerprints with the soft cloth.
5. Replace the acrylic cover and give it a once over with the cloth to remove fingerprints from that as well.
6. Test the tanning bed once you've installed the bulbs. Make certain all of the newly installed tanning bulbs are working properly then let the bed run for a while to make certain none of the bulbs burn out (this could happen if they are incorrectly installed)

Take care in disposing of the old tanning bulbs - they cannot be tossed in with regular garbage. Place them in a separate container when tossing them out, or look up online for a safe place to dispose of them in your city.