Body Tan: Tanning 101

Tanning Info • Eyewear • Lotions • FAQ

TANNING INFO

Body Tan Indoor tanning has evolved from one bed in a small back room to thriving mega salons. Time is valuable. Most tanners simply do not have time to bask for hours in the sun. Tanners have come to appreciate the convenience of tanning indoors. Tan day or night, rain or shine. No longer do we have to get a tan on the week-end. Tan lines are a thing of the past. Tanning in a controlled environment means no more sunburn.

In 1996, California Tan founded the Heliotherapy Light and Skin Research Center at Boston University School of Medicine to lead the investigation of both the positive and negative effects of sunlight. The media constantly reminds us of the negative effects of the sun. Some of the positive effects of the sun are:

Produces vitamin D for healthier bones to help prevent Osteoporosis
80% of Psoriasis sufferers show improvement with UV exposure
Sunlight exposure decreases stress
70% of patients with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) show improvement after light treatment

Heliotherapy

One of the first things the novice tanner should determine is their skin type. Medical experts have identified six skin types. Pick the one that fits you from the following list provided by the International Smart Tan Network.

SKIN TYPE I	Burns easily and rarely tans. These people most likely have bright white skin, blue or green eyes and freckles, which usually reveals an English, Irish or Scottish heritage. People with Type I skin should not tan indoors or outdoors. Their skin is unable to produce significant amounts of melanin to protect them from sunburns that can lead to skin damage.
SKIN TYPE II	Can tan, but still susceptible to sunburn. Common traits include brown or blue eyes, red or blond hair and freckles. Heritage usually is English, Scottish or Scandinavian. Type II tanners should be cautious and take any precautions to avoid sunburn.
SKIN TYPE III	Tans easily, but still susceptible to moderate sunburns. The most common skin type in America. These people often have brown eyes, dark hair and Central European heritage.
SKIN TYPE IV	Tans easily and almost never burns. These people often have dark eyes, dark hair and Mediterranean, Oriental or Hispanic heritage.
SKIN TYPE V	Rarely burns and tans easily. These people have dark hair and eyes and are of Indian, American Indian, Hispanic or African descent.
SKIN TYPE VI	Can tan despite their black skin. Never sunburns. They usually have dark hair and are Africans, African-American or Aborigines.

Once you have established your skin type you are ready to begin the tanning process. Basically, when the melanocytes in your skin are exposed to UVB they produce melanin that travels to the surface. The melanin is then exposed to UVA which oxidizes giving your skin a brown color or a tan. The amount of time it takes to get a tan depends on your skin type. The "fairer" you are the longer it takes to build a base tan. Patience is the key word as you must start with a low amount of time in the tanning bed and build little layers at a time. If you get "pink" or "red" you've done too much time. NEVER SUNBURN. This applies to indoor or outdoor tanning. Tanning indoors is the only way to regulate your actual exposure time.

If you need a tan by a certain date start 4 to 6 weeks prior in low pressure or regular tanning beds. High pressure or combination beds are faster but you still can't wait tll the last week or day before. At BODY TAN we monitor your tanning progress by keeping a record of the time you do each visit and the lotion used.

EYEWEAR

I don't want "raccoon eyes" do I really have to where those goggles ?? YES !!! You must wear protective eyewear when tanning indoors or out. Simply closing your eyes is not enough. The skin on your eyelids is very thin and UV light can penetrate causing corneal and retinal burns, cataracts, night blindness and color blindness. Because these conditions take years to develop you don't realize it at the time. You only have two eyes, the risk is not worth it. If you have lighter areas around your eyes try using one of the self-tanning lotions available in our salon to blend in the skin tones of your face. Protective eyewear that meets federal guidelines is required for all tanners. Eyewear must block 99% UVA light and 99.9% UVB light with "21CFR" somewhere on the label. Sunglasses, towels, cotton balls, etc. will not give your eyes the protection they deserve. You must also be able to see out in order to operate the tanning bed. For your safety and protection we recommend purchasing your own personal eyewear since sharing eyeware can be a means of transmitting eye disease. At BODY TAN we have several styles and colors to choose from ranging in price from $3 to $8. Also disposal stick-ons for .50 a pair.	PEEPERS
	SUPER SUNNIES
	SUN GLOBES
	EZ - EYES

LOTIONS

For complete product line, click on text link or image

Maximize your tanning results by selecting one of the quality indoor lotions sold at BODY TAN. Indoor tanning lotions are designed to stimulate the melanin bringing it to the surface of your skin for optimum tanning results and exceptional skin care. Quality indoor lotions are designed to replace the moisture and nutrients loss during a tanning session. Tanning products are available in lotions, gels, oils and sprays. Lotions are more moisturizing and best for normal to dry skin. Gels are better for normal to oily skin. Gels, oils and sprays work better for men as they are easier to rub in.
CALIFORNIA TAN "The Number One Line" sold in salons worldwide, provides dark tanning results with exceptional care for your skin. CALIFORNIA TAN'S exclusive 3-Step System and wide product range has something for everyone.

BODY TAN has been selected to be a California Tan Signature Salon. Only 1% of salons in the nation who have excelled in California Tan sales were chosen. We carry the complete CALIFORNIA TAN product line and SUNLIGHT their hypoallergenic line. SUNLIGHT is unfragranced and allergy tested, ideal for people with sensitive skin.

FAQ

HOW DOES A SESSION IN A TANNING BED COMPARE TO HOURS IN THE SUN?

According to WOLFF there is no formula for comparing indoor tanning exposure times to outdoor exposure times. There are too many factors involved to make a comparison. There are many different kinds of indoor tanning equipment and lamps. The sun 's strength varies by the time of day or year, the distance from the equator, cloud cover, pollution and the ozone layer.

WILL THE TANNING BED "FRY" MY INSIDES?

NO. The UV rays emitted by the tanning lamps do not go past the skin layers. Therefore the internal organs are not affected by UV rays.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR WHEN TANNING INDOORS?

You may wear whatever you wish. The tanning room is private so no one will see you. Some tanners wear a swimsuit or under garments and some prefer to wear nothing at all. The age old question "Tan lines or Not", it's up to you.

CAN I CATCH GERMS FROM THE TANNING BED?

Not if you tan in a reputable certified tanning salon that cleans their beds with sanitizer after every use. You can be sure we clean our beds.

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