Indoor Tan Blog

Let us be clear that when we talk of going to a tanning salon during pregnancy, we are not deliberating on the glow of your skin, but on the possible side-effects to the unborn.

While some physicians reject the ‘exposure’ outright, be it within a salon or by the sun, others recommend exercising caution. The latter is because there are no confirmed medical reports or any scientific back-up to indicate that the rays are harmful to the unborn child. Most physicians drive the point hard with a would-be mother by telling her that she did not require a tan when she herself was in the womb, therefore her baby would not require it in her womb either. For you it is important to know that many civic bodies have passed a law against obtaining tanning during pregnancy, and there are salons that reject the client to avoid any legal fallout resulting in liability.


It is always practical and advisable to consult your physician before you plan to go to a tanning salon during pregnancy. Your physician may even give the go-ahead after running some tests. Despite the fact that there is no conclusive proof that the warmth of the tanning beds and the exposure to the UV Ray are not harmful to the developing foetus, but the sudden change in the pregnant woman is detrimental, especially during the first and third trimester. If one could skip that tanned look during those six months of the pregnancy, one can easily skip the balance three too. The hormonal changes during the pregnancy are itself a harbinger of an uneven tan, along with dark brown patches called ‘melasma’. Weighing the hardly existent pros and the dominant cons, we would not recommend going to a tanning salon when pregnant for obtaining a tan using the prevalent UV Rays.

But women desirous of that tanned look over an already glowing skin can take some respite from the fact that there are available some safe options. Most salons have the spray-on booths called the ‘mystic’ or the ‘versa’ spa, and these give a superb tanned look to the skin provided it is properly pre-conditioned and exfoliated. The other option is the application of the self-tanner which is at least safe for the expectant mother and the unborn baby. So in the end we do not change our recommendation but instead restrict it to a limited visit to a tanning salon during pregnancy. We do recommend avoiding the warm beds so that the tan is minus the UV Ray exposure, and only within the spray-booths.

Tanning the natural way is by exposing the skin to sun rays that have harmful ultraviolet radiations that are responsible for the tanning of the skin.

Ultraviolet radiations are known to cause skin irritations and skin cancer because of which artificial tanning of the skin using lotions, gels, sprays etc has become more popular these days. There are different methods of artificial tanning of skin. Some of the most widely employed tanning procedures involve tanning using tan lotions, tanning using sprays, tanning using hormone replacement therapies etc.

Tanning is a procedure that is widely used in areas where the climate is cold or rainy throughout the year. Tanned look is something that’s helps to boost the morale of few people in the western countries. It is now gaining importance throughout and has become a fashion icon these days.

Spray tanning is considered to be the easiest and safest method of tanning since it does not involve exposure to ultraviolet radiations and still gives the desired effect of tanning without any troubles.

There are advantages of spray tanning when compared to other artificial tanning procedures like using a lotion etc, since when using a lotion care has to be taken that the lotion is applied evenly and uniformly so that you get the perfect tanned look. But in case of spray tanning, this becomes easier since application by spray is easier and more uniform when compared to other, methods that are employed for artificial tanning of the skin.

The other advantage of spray tanning over other tanning procedures is that spray tans dry quickly thereby it is a safe and time saving procedure when compared to other procedures that take more time of a person since the lotions and all has to get dried thoroughly before one wears the clothing. In case of a hurry where the individual would want to tan his skin and get dressed immediately the other types of tanning may fall aside because of the mentioned drawbacks.

There are professional tanning salons that do this kind of spray tanning to help individuals get the perfect desired tanned look without much inconvenience.

There is professional air brushing or spray tanning booths where they provide assistance when an individual undertakes spray tanning. The experts help individuals in getting the desired amount of tan and also help them by commenting on whether the tan is evenly applied or not. When it comes to areas like back which an individual may not feel comfortable to spray tan himself there comes the expertise, guidance and helps that helps you make your skin look even from top to bottom covering the back areas too.

It is very important to use a moisturizer before going for a spray tan since that would help the skin to retain its glow even after the tanning procedure is done and as a result the skin looks healthy and glows. Spray tans usually are retained till a week after which a second sitting is to be done if you feel that you need the tanned look for a longer time.

The additional advantage of spray tan is that it is a very safe procedure where the skin of an individual is not exposed to harmful radiations that are known to cause a variety of skin related ailments.

The procedure in tanning salons is very simple where you have to enter a dressing room kind of room and undress yourself. The hair has to be covered using a cap and then a button has to be pressed that would spray the tanning liquid evenly onto your body to get the desired result. The procedure in a professional salon ranges from 15-30 seconds. Imagine getting that longed tanned look in just few seconds! Once the front portion of the body is done the same has to be repeated for the backside so that you get an even tan at the back.

After the procedure just allow it to dry for few seconds and there you get the perfect tanned glow and look in just few minutes and you can get ready to go and bash any party or even to your office with a completely changed look to shock your colleagues.

So what are you waiting for?? Interested to get a perfect tanned look? Look out for tanning salons near to you and get your body the feel of a good, nourished and moisturized skin with a perfect tanned look and the glow that would last for a couple of days to a week.

Happy tanning!!!!

Tanning is a procedure by which the skin becomes dark or gets a tanned or bronzy look due to excess exposure to the sun. This effect is basically due to the ultraviolet radiations that tend to increase the secretion of a pigment called melanin that aids in a darker skin.

If we go back to history, we can see that people were fonder of whitening their skin for which in ancient times white paints or chalk powders were used. People used to cover themselves thoroughly with full sleeved dresses and long scarves so as to retain their natural whiteness and avoid darkening due to exposure to sunlight.

Anyone darker or with a slightly darker complexion was considered to be of a lower class just because of the dark look. This was the main reason why people used to try and maintain their complexion lighter or would try and use artificial lighteners to make their complexion look lighter.

The tanning which is today a very popular procedure and a style icon used by numerous people was discovered accidentally.

In the early 1920’s there was French designer who had been for a long tour to different countries for her work. On return from her tour that involved her travel from Paris to Cannes, people realized that she had altogether come with a different look and soon people started liking the new look of hers.

Later it was discovered that the tan which her skin had got due to excessive exposure to the sun during her travel had brought about the difference in her skin. This tanned look was liked by one and all and soon tanning became a trend and people started trying out sunbathing and beach bathing as a procedure to get them tanned.

After the accidental discovery of tanned skin, it then became a popular sport kind of thing to bake their bodies in sun and have a wonderful holiday just baking their skins at the beach to get the desired tanned look.

At a later stage when fashion began growing more popular so did tanning become more popular. With the bikinis and swimsuits gaining more place in fashion, tanning also started receiving a special place in the field of fashion. The concept of all- tanned body came into existence where people started tanning their entire body to get a sensuous tanned look.

With the increasing demand for tanning, slowly the market came out with artificial tanning ingredients like lotions, gels, sprays and even pills. In spite of all these products in the market, tanning was a popular event that was restricted to summer since people believed that the natural way to tan was much healthier and safer alternative rather than using artificial tanning lotions.

Later in the eighties, when tanning had gained enough popularity, lot of tanning spas and salons came into existence. The salons guaranteed a natural tanned look in just few sittings ion a tan bed, which slowly started gaining acceptance among the core consumers. This way from the early 1920’s tanning slowly started growing as a huge market and by the eighties there were many salons that were into the business of tanning.

As the eighties ended and the nineties came closer, tanning had taken a big chunk of place in the market and there were enormous number of tanning salons offering artificial tanning using different procedures that would be suitable to different types of skin. Also in the nineties awareness about the health hazards caused due to excessive exposure of skin to sun came into limelight and hence people started preferring artificial or indoor tanning as it is called to be a better alternative to the traditional method of sun tanning.

Soon other benefits in indoor tanning were discovered like the balance of moisture in the skin that is lost when the skin is exposed to the sun for a longer duration and the natural glow that is lost when exposed to sun. Thus indoor tanning became and is still today more popular in countries where the climate is always colder.
Not only this with the advent of new technologies developing continuously, the duration for tanning has considerably reduced from few sessions to few seconds in today’s busy and fast moving world.

With the craze of fashion that is there in today’s generation, it is sure that the concepts of fashion like tanning and other new fashion icons will be well accepted in the market and will continue to grow without slowing down.

All of us want a gorgeous bronzed tan. It looks wonderful and gives the skin a healthy glow. A convenient way to achieve that look is to use a tanning bed. It is an easy and fast way to get a tan. A lot has been said about the harmful effects of using tanning beds. As is true with any kind of scientific benefit, it comes with an inherent rider. We need to use tanning beds sensibly, and with all the precautionary care we would take to use any treatment or medicine.

Tanning beds area simple option to getting a tan. They also help people suffering from vitamin D deficiency by stimulating the production of this vitamin by the body. Doctors often advise people suffering from SAD and mood disorders to use tanning beds especially in countries that do not have long sunny days. They are the fastest way known to mankind to get a tan. You can get a tan by using a tanning bed for ten or twelve minutes at a local tanning salon. This fits easily into the schedule of any busy person. Moreover it is safer than sunlight which is known to have harmful UV rays.

Tanning bed manufacturers would like us to believe that they are completely safe. This is not completely true. The earlier generation beds were very harmful as they emitted UV rays which were much stronger than the sun. However the modern day beds are less harmful. As a general rule it is advisable to take all the precautions and use these simple guidelines.

• Choose your tanning bed with care
Your tan depends on the choice of bed and so does your health. There are so many tanning beds available in the market and there are so many salons. Do your research. Talk to the personnel working at tanning salons. Check out the services and the advice they offer. They will be able to advise you on your skin type, the type of tanning bed you need and any precautions you need to take. Make an informed decision. Your health depends on it.

• Use the best tanning lotions.
The tanning lotion you use regulates the amount of UVA and UVB that hits your body. This in turn regulates the health of your skin. Use a good quality tanning lotion which has some kind of a built in moisturiser. These days many hydrating lotions are supplied by tanning salons that keep your skin moisturized and supple. UV rays being emitted by tanning beds can leach away the moisture from your skin. At the very least it can age your skin and at the worst, it can cause skin cancer. So exercise great care. Some salons also recommend after care for the skin and suggest a suitable lotion to be used after the session. Use them.

If you start getting headaches or feel sick due to your tanning sessions, discontinue them and seek medical help.

• Timing
There are safety warnings put up everywhere in tanning salons. Ignore them at your own peril. Do not over-do your tanning session. The maximum time limit recommended is twenty minutes. Certain doctors advise you to stay for ten to twelve minutes only. Do not over-bake yourself. There are beds that come with a built in timer. It is smarter to opt for them.

• Follow the guidelines
Salons provide you with protective sun glasses, along with the tanning lotions. It is mandatory for them to do so by law. It is a safety measure for the health of your own corneas. Even if you are using a tanning bed at home, follow these guidelines, for your own safety.

• Check the kind of rays the beds are emitting
There are two types of lamps used in tanning beds. Get familiar with them. One type of lamp is H.O. or High Output lamps and the other is V.H.O. or very high output lamps. Unless you have been otherwise advised, the safer option is a H.O. lamp, especially for your own home tanning bed. They are cheaper too.

• Get medical advice before using a tanning bed
You may have some medical history or perhaps you are pregnant. Your family might be having a history of adverse reaction to the sun. Whatever may be the case, it is wiser to check with your doctor prior to getting a salon membership.

• Keep researching all the time. There are always new developments and it is wise to keep abreast with all the knowledge since it is your skin and your health.
These precautions will help you get a safe and healthy tan.

Tanning is a procedure that involves use of ultra violet radiations to get an artificially darkened skin, which is known as a tanned skin. The most commonly used procedure for tanning is the sunbath, in which the body is exposed to heat of the sun and as a result of prolonged exposure, the skin by itself gets a tanned or darkened look. There are many disadvantages of this natural tanning by sun. Some of the major disadvantages are sunburns, dry scaly patches on skin, loss of moisture of the skin and sometimes lethal effects like skin cancers.

There are other artificial methods or fake tanning which is much more effective and safe when compared to natural sun tanning. This method is usually known as sunless tanning or artificial tanning or fake tanning. Fake tanning is now gaining much importance due to its benefits that excel the natural method of tanning.

The advantages of fake tanning over natural sun tanning are that for people who have very sensitive skin ultraviolet radiation exposure can be ruled out and certain chemicals which compared to ultraviolet radiations are better can be used to get the required amount of tan. Fake tanning basically involves use of certain chemicals on the skin that helps the individual to get the desired effect of tanned skin without ultraviolet exposure thus minimizing the risks of acquiring skin cancer. Also it is a known fact that during the ultraviolet treatment for acquiring a tanned look, individual pose a threat to their eyes since eyes are very sensitive to ultraviolet radiations and there are chances of developing eye complications like cataract etc which need surgical treatment to be corrected.

There are many chemicals that are used for effective fake tanning. The most widely used chemicals are dihydroxyacetone lotions and tyrosine lotions. There are different forms available that are easy to use at home like lotion form, gel form, sprays form etc. Each product comes with instructions as to how it has to be used to get maximum efficacy in terms of darker skin. Professional tanning specialists always suggest the use of fake tanning products onto dry and clean skin, so that any side reactions can be avoided. There are other instructions that have to be followed like once applied, till the product gets readily absorbed by the body, one must avoid bathing and swimming since that may wash off the tanning lotion and hence its efficacy may be reduced.

Professional salons having experts who specialize in fake tanning use different methods to give the desired artificial tanned look to the client’s using either brushes or kind of spray guns that help to apply the fake tanners onto the body with much ease and more uniformly.
In the above mentioned fake tanning lotions, dihydroxyacetone has been authorized and recognized for safe cosmetic use by the regulatory authorities like FDA. Usually dihydroxyacetone is used in combination with erythrulose for achieving a long lasting near to natural tanned effect.

Tyrosine based gels and lotions helps in faster tanning of the skin since it is believed that they help in the formation of melanin and thereby aid faster tanning when used in fake tanning.

Other than the chemicals used, there are certain other drugs that act as synthetic hormones that induces the production of a hormone called as melanotropin which is responsible for skin darkening.

Fake tanning also involves the use of temporary lotions available that aids in tanning of the skin on a temporary basis. One of the good example for the mentioned temporary fake tanning could be bronzers or bronzing lotions that come in the form of lotions, gels, powders, sprays etc which are easy to use and are for a single day purpose or to retain the fake tanning that has been achieved by using the above mentioned chemical tanning ingredients.

There are certain things to be remembered when using fake tanning lotions or sprays. There are areas on the body that have a relatively tough skin when compared to the other parts of the body like face, arms etc. Some of the tough areas on the body include elbows, knees, ankle etc. Depending on the amount of tanning required it is very essential to use any moisturizer onto the tough parts of the body before applying the fake tanners since direct application may give a patchy or cracky appearance which would spoil the fun of the entire tanned look of the body that is achieved by the individual.

So follow the instructions before you start a fake tanning procedure and enjoy a flawless tanned look same as the natural tan without having the risks of acquiring skin cancers or other ultraviolet radiations related problems.

Enjoy the summer with a cool tanned look!!