Indoor tanning is popular among adults who prefer to tan without excessive sun exposure. Here, newer, safer spray tans and tanning beds aim to reduce the associated health risks of indoor tanning. While a tanning bed imitates the sun’s UV rays, spray tans contain chemicals that give the skin a temporary golden brown color. Before opting for tanning services, it is important to understand the risks and take necessary precautions to prevent skin damage.
Tanning beds
Tanning beds or sunbeds are enclosed structures containing 12 to 24 bulbs that mimic the sun’s UV rays to stimulate melanin, which absorbs the UV rays and darkens the skin. With tanning bed services, the user lies in the tanning bed unit after closing the bed’s lid for a fixed duration, depending on their skin type. The beds are fitted with timers to ensure a person is not overexposed to UV rays. Once the timer goes off, one should remove the lid and come out. The lid is made of acrylic and does not overheat, so the user can open it and step out safely. Further, the beds are fitted with locks to prevent any movement while one is inside. The three main types of tanning beds are:
– Base beds: Ideal for at-home use
– Standing beds: Meant for those who do not want to lock themselves in a closed unit
– High-pressure beds: Specialized beds ideal for commercial use
Each of these tanning beds offers different levels of UV ray exposure.
Key equipment: The main components of a sunbed are the bench and fluorescent lamps. The lamps are placed along the two long structures— the bench and bed canopy. Other important parts of a tanning bed that make it functional are ballasts, timers, relays, switches, fuse holders, bulbs, starters, pillows, and UV meters. During tanning bed installation, one would require a circuit breaker and a receptacle. It is also advisable to use a surge protector to prevent trips, as a power surge or a lightning strike can damage the internal wiring and bulbs. Most tanning bed makers discourage customers from a DIY installation and advise hiring an electrician.
Spray tanning
Spray tanning is a way of getting a sunless tan through a fine mist sprayed onto the body. Spray tanning products contain DiHydroxyacetone or DHA, which triggers the amino acids on the surface of the skin, resulting in melanoidin formation. This causes the skin to glow as if it has been tanned.
Key equipment: While different shades and types of products are the basic requirements here, key spray tanning equipment includes spray tanning machines, extractor fans, spray tan guns, and barrier creams. Alternatively, one can buy spray tanning kits that contain guns, tanning solutions, and accessories like hair nets, gloves, and sticky feet pads.
Tanning essentials
Whether one is visiting a salon or self-tanning at home, it is crucial to have certain tanning accessories at hand to prevent skin damage and ineffectiveness. So, users must have gloves, Facial tanning lotion (to protect the face), shower caps, sticky feet, disposable clothing, hairnets, nose plugs, and baby wipes during each session.
Tanning salons and pop-up spray tanning tents offer a variety of ways to get a sunless tan. One can get tanning bed services near them. However, one should look up side effects and risks before making an appointment.
