Why to Use Tanning Bed Lotion

For those who are regular tanning bed users, you probably know that using a lotion in the tanning bed can lead to some awesome results. If you’re new to the tanning bed craze, then you might be wondering what the benefits of using lotion in a tanning bed are. From helping provide an even tan to hydrating the skin, here are all the reasons you should be investing in one of the best tanning bed lotions before your next tanning session.

Why You Should Always Use Lotions in Tanning Beds

Tanning beds quickly dry out the skin while darkening it, which can leave your appearance looking less than ideal. The reason for this is that moisture becomes depleted from the skin during the tanning process — hence, why it is so important to replace that moisture with an appropriate tanning lotion. By applying a lotion to your skin prior to getting in a tanning bed, you help provide your skin with moisture. Hydrating the skin before a tanning session not only has the benefit of keeping your skin’s appearance healthy. It also works to help provide you with an even tan. By applying tanning lotion evenly to the body, you lessen your chances of acquiring an uneven tan. Additionally, tanning lotions can help nourish the skin, resulting in a longer-lasting tan that doesn’t immediately fade.

Additionally, dry skin actually reflects UV light, which is the light source provided in the tanning bed. This means that if you have dry or non-moisturized skin, you could potentially be wasting nearly 50 percent of your tanning session if you don’t use a tanning lotion.

What Kind of Tanning Lotion Should You Use?

When it comes to tanning lotions, one size does not fit all. In fact, regular lotions that are made to moisturize the skin but have no mention of tanning beds in their product description should be avoided at all costs. These regular lotions do little to help with the actual tanning process and can actually cause harm to the tanning bed itself, causing the materials to disintegrate after long-term buildup of the lotion on the machinery.

Alternatively, always be sure to use a tanning lotion that comes recommended for tanning beds. Many of these are available online or can be purchased in the actual tanning salon you visit. In fact, most tanning salons will have a selection of products that they recommend for use with their tanning beds.

Tanning lotions can come in a variety of forms, including both traditional lotions as well as sprays. They may include bronzer or simply work as intensifiers. The most important thing is that they are specifically formulated for indoor tanning, thus making them the best for deepening your tan, as well as a non-threat to the actual tanning bed itself.

How to Use Tanning Lotion

Tanning lotion should always be applied evenly to prevent uneven tan lines and splotches. Prior to applying tanning lotion, it’s best to take a shower and exfoliate the skin so that you have a smooth surface to work with. Additionally, you’ll want to shave all the areas of your body that you want tanned, as leaving any hair could leave to odd-looking tan markings if lotion gets caught on your hairs.

Once you’ve finished showering, apply your tanning lotion directly onto your body in an even, circular motion, being sure to cover every area you want tanned. This should include your neck, back, stomach, and legs. Remember, any area where you do not apply the tanning lotion will end up looking paler after your tanning bed session.

If there are certain areas of your body that you’d like to receive more of a tan (perhaps you have a pale area that you’d like to catch up to your tan shoulders, or maybe you simply want your legs a shade more golden than your stomach), you can apply more lotion to these areas. However, be careful to ensure the application of the lotion remains even so as to avoid splotches of color.

The Final Verdict on Tanning Lotions

The final verdict on whether or not you should use a tanning lotion before getting into a tanning bed is a simple one: yes, you absolutely should. With a proper tanning lotion, you can keep your skin hydrated, ensure your tan sticks around for longer, and bank on an even, natural-looking color that will leave you looking sun-kissed and healthy.

Resources— Palm Beach Tan, South Beach Tanning Company

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