Tanning Bed Lotion: Which Types Are Best to Use?
Tanning beds provide a quick alternative to lying out in the sun for hours at a time. If you’re in need of a fast tan, applying some of the best tanning bed lotions before you get into a tanning bed will help prevent your skin from becoming dry and keep your tan from being splotchy.
While tanning bed lotions can help with creating an even tan, many regular tanning bed users want to know if they can use any lotion in a tanning bed. Here’s everything you should know before applying lotion and using a tanning bed.
Why Use Tanning Lotion in a Tanning Bed?
You might think that you don’t need to apply lotion before using a tanning bed; however, finding an appropriate tanning lotion for inside a tanning bed will actually work wonders in helping you achieve a glowing, even tan.
Tanning lotions can help keep your skin hydrated during the tanning bed process. This step becomes essential for those with dry skin, as the drier your skin is, the less likely you’ll achieve an even tan. Contrary to sunscreens, tanning lotions help speed up the tanning process.
Tanning lotions can vary. They usually won’t contain SPF, differentiating them from the tanning lotions one uses when outside. They may come labeled as bronzing lotions or moisturizing creams. Additionally, some tanning bed lotions even come in a spray form, making it easy to apply a quick layer before getting into a tanning bed.
Can You Use Regular Lotion in a Tanning Bed?
While you may be tempted to apply whatever lotion you have lying around at home, it is not a good idea to use regular lotions in a tanning bed. One reason for this is that regular tanning lotions contain ingredients that can cause the tanning bed machine to become damaged after building up on the bed’s surface and deteriorating it.
Always check with your tanning bed location to make sure that the lotion you’re using is safe for their tanning beds. Many tanning bed locations will have recommendations for lotions. Additionally, nearly all tanning locations won’t allow you to use a regular lotion in their tanning beds, as doing so could lead to the deterioration of their tanning beds over time.
How to Prepare for a Tanning Bed When Using Lotion
There are a few steps to take before settling into a tanning bed if you want to get a stellar tan. Firstly, prep your skin by taking a warm shower and soaping yourself up. You want to be sure to remove any dirt or residue from your skin so that your tan will be even. Additionally, be sure to lightly exfoliate the skin before heading to the tanning salon, as tanning beds have a tendency to dry the skin out. For this reason, you want to be sure you’re arriving with smooth, hydrated, and prepared skin.
The shower is also a good time to shave any area of your body that you don’t want hair on. Ideally, any area that you want tanned should be hairless, otherwise, you risk the chance of the tanning lotion sitting on your hair follicles and resulting in dotted skin and an uneven tan.
Once you’ve finished showering and shaving, you can head over to the tanning bed location. You’ll want to apply your non-oil-based moisturizer right before getting into the tanning bed for the best results. The light of the tanning bed will activate the bronzer in many tanning lotions. While you don’t want a layer of white paste covering your body in the tanning bed, you also don’t want to skimp when applying the tanning lotion. Try your best to apply the lotion evenly, though you can apply more lotion to areas that are paler.
To ensure that you get an even spread of tanning lotion, bring a friend or family member with you to the tanning salon. If no one is available to attend with you, you can also ask a tanning bed technician to help you if you feel comfortable doing so. Areas like the back will often require help from somebody else to achieve an even coating of lotion.
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