The normal course of tanning involves the skins exposure to the sun’s UV rays causing the skin cells to be stimulated and to produce melanin, which is the pigment in your skin and gicving the appearance of a darker color or a tan.
Indoor tanning on a tanning bed is no different to being exposed to the suns UV rays. UVA and UVB rays stimulate the production of the pigment melanin that we see as a tan and different tanning salons use a combination of bulbs to produce the desired result, that being the darkest tan in the shortest possible time.
Be careful not to overexpose yourself to these rays as you can burn as easily on a tanning bed as if you were lying out in the sun. To begin with you should only expose yourself on a tannong bed for a few minutes at a time and gradually increase it over time.
Talk to the personnel at the tanning salon and have your skin type asessed, if they do not asess your skin before starting your tanning regime, move to another salon. It is essentialto have your skin type asessed befor starting or you will burn.
Eye protection is also an essential part of using indoor tanning beds, wearing sunglasses is not enough protection, tanning beds are an intense dose of UV rays that you would not normally be exposed to.
You may not believe this, but you should never tan indoors without using protection on your lips such as sunscreen made especially for your lips or your favorite lip balm. Your lips can receive damage from the UV rays that are emitted during your tanning session.
If you are on any type of mediation, you should talk with your doctor prior to tanning. Some medications may have reactions when exposed to UV light just as with some antibiotics warn of direct sunlight.
Like any exposure to potentially harmful UV rays, it is most important to moisturise your skin wether you are tanning indoors or outdoors. Drink plenty of water to keep your body and skin hydrated.