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.

Tips for Tanning Outside

While you may be used to tanning in a tanning bed or in a salon, often times people want to work on their tan outside, in the comfort of their own home. Though this method can be easy, there are some tips to keep in mind because getting a healthy, golden tan is more than just lying around on the lounge poolside. Below are some helpful tips that will help your outside tanning session go smoothly!

You need to know your skin type and just how long it takes you to tan before you become burned. If you know your skin type then it’s easy to plan the amount of time you need to take to bronze up.

When you’re tanning in your backyard you will want to apply sun tan lotion. It sounds counter productive, but sun tan lotion will prevent you from getting a sunburn. You may not tan as fast with the application of sun tan lotion but you will tan without fear of burning and skin damage. Remember, burned skin can lead to skin damage and will also prematurely age you. Regardless of your skin type, you should apply a tanning lotion that offers at least a 15 sun protection factor – higher if you have fair skin that burns easily.

Find out the best time of day to do your tanning. What part of the day it is will depend on the area of the country in which you live. In some areas in the east, the sun is at its peak around noon, some areas to the west don’t hit peak sun until late afternoon. Knowing when the sun is at its peak will let you reap the full benefits of its rays.

Once you’re done in the sun you will want to shower off the sun tan lotion and liberally apply moisturizer. If your skin is dried out, it will produce less melanin and this will make it harder for your skin to produce a tan. If you keep your skin moisturized from the outside with lotion as well as from the inside by drinking plenty of water, your skin will be glowing with your tan.

So next time you head out from under the tanning lamps and toward the sun, remember these tips to make sure your skin is golden and not red by the end of the session!

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.