Euro Tan | Ask the Expert

Lotion FAQ's

Why should I use an indoor tanning lotion?

Indoor tanning lotions will help you tan faster, tan darker, and help your tan last longer. Lotion accounts for up to 60% of your tan; their ingredients are formulated specifically for this purpose.

Can I use an outdoor lotion in an indoor tanning bed?

Absolutely not! Outdoor tanning lotions (like oils and other products) contain ingredients that will actually break down the acrylic shields in an indoor tanning bed. Additionally, they do not contain the ingredients that are found in indoor tanning lotions, which are formulated specifically for that purpose. Please do not bring those lotions into the salon with you.

What can I do to help my tan last longer?

In addition to using an indoor tanning lotion, having a good skin care regimen is vital to a long lasting tan. Using a specially formulated indoor tanning moisturizer, also known as a tan extender, will help keep your skin moist. We also recommend exfoliating the skin with a body scrub, which gets rid of dead, dry skin and aids in retention of moisture in the skin.

Does dry skin actually reflect UV light?

Yes! This is one of the main reasons why using a lotion is so important. When you tan, the UV light actually removes vitamins and minerals from your skin, leaving it very dry. Dry skin will not effectively absorb UV light, resulting in reduced results.

What is a tingle lotion?

Tingle lotions have gained popularity in the last few years. A tingle lotion helps increase blood circulation, called macrocirculation, thus improving the oxygenation of your skin cells. The increased level of oxygen helps accelerate your tan.

What does a tingle lotion feel like?

Using a tingle lotion will make your skin temporarily red, giving you a tingling sensation.

This feeling is temporary and usually subsides within an hour or so. The redness of your skin is not a burn, but a “heat flush”. The redness will disappear when your skin cools down. If you are comfortable using a tingle lotion, we recommend using it sparingly, and in conjunction with a bronzer or accelerator. We do not recommend using tingle lotion on your face however.

What is a bronzer?

There are two different types of bronzers:

1. Cosmetic Bronzer – This is a bronzer that acts much like a make-up, giving you immediate color once applied, allowing your natural tan to develop over the next few hours.

2. DHA Bronzer – DHA is a colorless chemical that is found in self-tanners many indoor tanning lotions. DHA, when applied to your skin will start to darken your skin in about 2-3 hours. Both types of bronzers are very effective in helping you achieve a deep, dark tan.

I have very fair skin, should I use a bronzer?

Our professionally trained tanning consultants assess your skin type, and make recommendations on the type of lotion that would be most suitable for your skin tone. We would generally recommend an accelerator until a base tan is achieved, and then move to a bronzer if desired.

Will a bronzer stain my clothes?

Cosmetic bronzers will probably come off onto your clothes. Because it is a cosmetic bronzer, most discoloration should wash out with normal laundry detergent.

Tanning FAQ's back to the top

How does the skin tan?

The tanning process occurs within the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) when melanocite cells are stimulated by ultraviolet light, causing them to produce the pigment melanin. Melanin production results in the tanned appearance of the skin and is the skin's natural defense against the sun and over-exposure (sun-burning). Melanin travels to the surface, where it eventually flakes off. This process allows us to develop new skin every four to eight weeks. Keeping your skin hydrated and exfoliated will help maintain a more radiant and healthy-looking tan.

Do I have to wear eye protection, or can I simply close my eyes?

Yes! It is required by law for the following reasons:

Eyewear protects your eyes from harmful UV light.
UV damage is cumulative.
The short-term risk is corneal burns (sunburn on the surface of the eyes), which shows up within a few hours of exposure. It is characterized by increased sensitivity, a burning sensation and excessive tearing.
The long-term risks include brunescent cataracts (a clouding or pigmentation of the lens within the eye), loss of night vision and depth perception. The only known cure is cataract surgery. Eyelids do not tan, and provide less than 2% protection against UV light.

If a person cannot tan in the sun, will he/she tan indoors?

Normally, a person tans indoors only as well as he/she is able to tan outdoors. However, we have great success with those who generally cannot tolerate the uncontrolled rays of the sun by putting them on a tanning regimen, allowing them to achieve a tan in a controlled environment. Skin type, heredity, and individual photosensitivity all determine the type of tan achieved.

Is indoor tanning more harmful than tanning outdoors?

People tanning indoors are exposed to a scientifically calibrated amount of UV light. When used according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's exposure guidelines (posted on each machine), tanning beds are designed to maximize tanning and minimize burning. Conversely, tanning outdoors is an unregulated environment. There are many factors that have to be considered when you tan outdoors: geography, time of day, weather conditions, the seasons, and the ozone layer.

How long before I start seeing results?

Tanning is a process and therefore does not happen instantly. It can take up to 6 hours for your tan to surface. Most people start seeing a good base tan by the fourth or fifth visit depending on lotion use, exposure time and tanning schedule.

If I shower immediately after tanning will I "wash" away my tan?

Taking a shower after tanning will not wash your tan away. However, we recommend waiting from 1-3 hours before taking a shower if you're using a bronzer. This will maximize the results of the bronzing ingredients in the lotion. A natural tan takes 24-48 hours to develop.

In order to get a suntan, do you have to burn first?

No! A sunburn indicates over exposure to UV-light and actually damages the skin, leaving it inflamed, dry, chapped and visibly unappealing. Always practice moderation when tanning indoors and use the proper sunscreen protection when tanning outdoors. Our goal is to prevent burning at all costs, by exfoliating and moisturizing the skin regularly to achieve a deep, dark and healthy tan.

How do I know what my skin type is?

There are 6 categories that the indoor tanning industry uses to identify a persons skin type:

1- Tans little or not at all, always burns easily and severely

2- Usually burns easily and severely; tans minimally and lightly

3- Burns moderately, gains an average tan

4- Burns minimally, tans easily and above average with each exposure, exhibits IPD (Immediate Pigment Darkening)

5- Rarely burns, tans easily and substantially, always exhibits IPD

6- Tans profusely and never burns, exhibits IPD reaction

Do all skin types tan or burn in the same amount of time?

Not all skin types are alike. Some people tan more easily than others or burn more easily than others. For example, people with Skin Type 1-2 (fair skin, freckles, blonde or red hair and/or blue or hazel eyes) will burn easily, resulting in peeling and blistering without any indication that he or she has tanned. On the other hand, people with Skin Type 4 (light or brown skin, dark hair and eyes) will tan very well and quite easily even with a minimal amount of sun exposure. It is important to know: repeated overexposure of unprotected skin while tanning may increase the risk of skin aging, skin cancer and other harmful effects to the skin even if you don't burn.

Do people with medium to dark skin ever burn?

Although people with medium to darker skin (skin types 4-6) tend to tan more easily than others, they can still get sunburns. They can also suffer from overexposure to UV-light. It is still important for these skin types to use sunscreens and avoid being in the sun longer than they need to be.

Can I tan while pregnant?

While the UVA and UVB rays emitted by tanning beds do not penetrate any deeper than the outermost layers of the skin (the epidermis) and never reach the fetus, heat is a byproduct of tanning indoors or out. The possibility of dehydration/overheating (hyperthermia) in extreme cases has been linked to birth defects, including heart problems, abdominal-wall defects and developmental problems in the nervous system. However, these problems are rare, have not been linked to indoor tanning and have only been associated with prolonged exposure to temperatures over 102 degrees for several hours in the early stages of pregnancy. Indoor tanning regulations limit commercial tanning devices to 100 degrees. If you choose to tan while pregnant, stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and use common sense. If you feel too hot, it's time to get out.

What is Vitamin D, and why is it so important?

Vitamin D, "the sunshine Vitamin", is linked to lowering your risk of several forms of cancer and many other diseases. Exposure to UVB present in sunshine and in all our tanning beds is the body’s natural way to produce vitamin D, accounting for 90 percent of vitamin D production. Studies have shown that indoor tanning patrons have higher vitamin D blood levels than non-tanners. New research has shown that vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic in American adults today, suggesting that up to 90 percent of North Americans are vitamin D deficient and that vitamin D deficiency has significant implications on human health. A 2006 systematic review of 63 studies on vitamin D status in relation to cancer risk has shown that vitamin D sufficiency may reduce one’s risk of colon, breast and ovarian cancers by up to 50 percent. Vitamin D is necessary for the body to properly process calcium, and its deficiency is a leading cause of osteoporosis, a disease affecting 25 million Americans which leads to 1 million hip and bone fractures every year. In elderly individuals, such fractures are often deadly. Vitamin D deficiency most likely plays a role in the development of muscular sclerosis and is also believed to be linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer and even heart disease.

Current research indicates vitamin D deficiency plays a role in causing 17 varieties of cancer, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects and periodontal disease.

Where does the "after tan" smell come from?

The heat generated from the tanning beds causes a person to perspire, and certain proteins are secreted. Bacteria that live in and on our skin eat away at this protein, causing the odor. Personal hygiene, diet and hormones also play a role in the production of this odor.

What are the white spots I see on my skin after tanning?

The spots found on various parts of the body are caused by two things: Pressure points and "tinea". Pressure points (like the shoulder blades) are areas where blood flow is inhibited thereby reducing the secretion of melanin. We recommend shifting your weight while in the tanning bed to avoid this. Tinea is a naturally occurring fungus found on normal skin. This yeast emits acidic bleach that changes the skin color. On pale skin, the patches appear reddish brown. On darker skin the patches appear almost white, because these patches will not tan. They are most often found on the neck, upper chest, arms and back. The most effective way to treat Tinea is to apply an antifungal shampoo to the affected areas while showering. Leaving the shampoo on the body for several minutes before washing off is highly recommended. The condition is rarely seen beyond mid-life.

Benefits of Indoor Tanning back to the top

Enhances and improves physical appearance and mental disposition
Provides uninterrupted time for much needed mental and physical relaxation
Integrates the therapeutic benefits of heat to relax joints and muscles
Spotless, comfortable and convenient environment
A tan body helps cloak skin imperfections
A tan body gives people a leaner, more athletic appearance
A tan body can build confidence by making people feel more attractive
A tan body helps people prepare and look great for vacations, weddings, proms and many other special events
A tan body reduces the risk of sunburn, which is the most damaging to a persons skin
Recent studies show that people are more likely to stick with diet and exercise programs if they do it in conjunction with indoor tanning
Provides an environment where people can learn and be educated about smart, responsible tanning; achieving and maintaining healthy skin while looking and feeling great.