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Tanning Safety Tips

You should always wear some sort of eye protection while tanning, goggles and winkies are the two most common forms of eye protection.  The Food and Drug Administration made wearing eye protection mandatory and tanning salon owners will ask to see your protection before allowing you in the tanning bed.

The good news is salons offer, either for free or sale, various forms of eye protection. There are several different types of eye protection available. Standard goggles that look similar to swimming goggles are good for standup beds but can leave a tan line across the nose.  When using a lay down bed the separate globe goggles are best because they are placed over each eye eliminating tan lines. Closing your eyes, wearing sunglasses, or placing cotton balls over your eyes are not going to protect your eyes from the UV lights.

Check any medications you are currently on for photosensitivity warnings.  There are many medications that can have negative reactions if you use a tanning bed while on them. The medications cause photosensitivity, which means you will have an increased sensitivity to UV light, and will burn very easily. Medications that may induce photosensitivity include some birth controls, antihistamines, and many more.  Salons should also post a list of medications that cause photosensitivity so that you can double check before getting into a tanning bed.

It's extremely important to follow the guidelines for maximum exposure time when you are using a tanning. If you are tanning at a salon, the salon will generally have regulations and will tell you the maximum amount of time you can stay in a bed. However, if you are tanning in your own bed, it is very important that you don't stay in it longer than you are instructed to. You can find maximum exposure time listed on the tanning bed itself or in its user manual.  If you can’t find it call the manufacturer.

After a tanning bed has been used, it will be covered with bacteria and sweat. There are many skin infections that can be transferred through the use of a tanning bed.   Tanning bed salon employees should go into the room and sanitize the beds after each customer. They should also sterilize the beds first thing in the morning and at the end of the day.

However, even if the employees of the salon do sanitize the bed, they may not do a good job, or you may want the bed cleaned more thoroughly. If you do not see any disinfectant in the room, you should ask the salon employees if you can use some. Wipe down the bed completely, before and after you use it.

Developing a base tan
Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin its tanned appearance. Melanin is produced by melanocytes, cells that are found in the inner layer of skin called the dermis. The melanocytes' production of melanin is triggered by exposure to ultraviolet light. Too much exposure to ultraviolet light by the dermis could result in long-term skin damage.   The correct exposure leaves a golden tan.

That's where the melanin comes in. Gradual exposure to ultraviolet light results in progressive production of melanin. The melanin then acts as a filter by absorbing some of the ultraviolet light and preventing it from reaching the dermis. This prevents burning and long-term skin damage that may not be apparent until years later.   Tanning correctly will ensure your skin looks  young and elastic for years to come.

Having a base tan helps the skin to prevent burning from additional exposure to the sun or UV rays. A good way to develop a base tan is to use an indoor tanning bed on a gradual exposure schedule.

Determine your skin type
Determining your skin type before tanning is one of the most crucial things you can do to avoid skin damage.  If you don’t know what skin type you are take an online test or ask someone at your local tanning salon and they will help you out.