Tanning Bed Tips To Keep You Safe

Tanning beds continue to grow in popularity but at the same time we continue to hear about studies that are showing there is an increased health risks to tanning. But let’s not forget there are some positive benefits too! Follow these tanning bed tips to keep you safe.

1. Tan In Moderation
If we used common sense more often we might keep ourselves out of trouble and when it comes to tanning it’s the same. Tanning in moderation can provide you with benefits such as providing you with vitamin D. Remember more isn’t better and you need to be patient while you work on that beautiful tan.
Limit Your Time
Never tan every day and never extend past the length of time associated with the bed you are using. 20 minutes does not mean 25 minutes and 3 times a week doesn’t mean 5 times a week.
2. Play By The Rules
If you aren’t familiar with the guidelines for tanning beds you need to ask the salon staff. There are maximum times depending on the bed you are using and there are also maximum sessions per week. Exceeding the manufacturer’s recommendations increases your risk of skin cancer.
3. Split It
Spilt the sessions into smaller sessions. So for example if your sessions should be 20 minutes two 10 minute sessions are better than one 20 minute. This reduces your continuous exposure time and thus the risk.
4. Be Happy
If you suffer from SAD talk to your doctor. Many people find tanning sessions help a lot. If you suffer from mild depression or the winter blues you may find that tanning sessions brighten your mood.
5. Proper Lotion
Always use the correct level of sunscreen protection and always use products that are designed for indoor tanning beds. You should purchase your products from trained staff that can help you choose the right product.
6. Cover It Up
You may think it would be really cool to have a full body tan but remember that areas such as your breasts and genitals that are not normally exposed to sun will be much more sensitive and burn very quick which can be really painful! Why not just cover it up?
7. Sanitized
Make sure the salon uses correct cleaning procedures. It’s always a good idea before you use a salon to check the cleanliness of their beds and rooms. Also inquire as to what their cleaning schedule is.
8. Ask A lot Of Questions
If you are new to tanning beds and aren’t sure about things ask! That’s what the staff is there for. You can also find most of the answers to your questions online.
9. Goggles
Always wear proper goggles when tanning. The UV rays can permanently damage your eyes in a very short time so don’t cheat even for a minute!
10. Relax
Besides get that great looking tan you should take the time to relax and unwind. The warmth of the bulbs, the gentle hum, and the quiet atmosphere are perfect!
11. Moisturize
Your skin gets damaged just a little bit each time you tan so moisturizing with a good moisturizer is very important to keeping your skin soft and glowing.
12. Stop The Red
Never ever let yourself burn. Burns lead directly to the deadly melanoma. So at the first sign of pink or the first sign of itching get out of the bed. Tanning beds don’t give you the same type of burn warning that the real sun does so the best rule of thumb is to use an SPF and keep it short.
13. Pregnancy and Tanning Beds
There are mixed opinions on the safety of using a bed while you are pregnant so check with your doctor. All physicians do tend to agree that there is a risk of overheating if you aren’t careful.
14. Medications
If you are taking medications you need to be sure they don’t cause photosensitivity. There are antibiotics, antihistamines, antidepressants, and a host of other medications that can make you sensitive to the sun.
15. Infection
If you have an infection or are ill do not use the bed at a salon. This can promote the spread of the illness or infection so be kind to others. If you have your own home bed go ahead and enjoy.
16. Skin Cancer
If you have had skin cancer in the past do not tan. If you have had other forms of cancer check with your doctor first.

There are also some things you should know:
1. Tanning beds use both UVA and UVB rays which have both been identified as causing health problems. The amount of UV rays you can take without adverse effects depends a great deal on genetics.
2. Both natural tanning and tanning with an indoor bed have been associated with increased risk of skin cancer, eye damage, weakened immune system, weakened connective tissue, and premature aging.
3. The skin of children are much more sensitive. In fact recently laws have been changed to prohibit children under the age of 16 from using indoor tanning beds.

Every year more than one million people visit tanning salons in search of that beautiful golden tan. So it’s apparent we have no intention of giving up our love affair with the sun. These tanning bed tips will help keep you safe, healthy, and looking beautiful!