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| Can tanning indoors cause cancer? |
| Which is safer? Tanning indoors or in the sun? Why? |
| Must protective eyewear be worn while tanning indoors? |
| How often is an individual allowed to tan? |
| When shouldn't I tan? |
| Is it harmful to wear contact lenses when tanning indoors? |
| Why do some dermatologists warn against sun exposure? |
| Why do some people itch after tanning indoors? |
| If an individual cannot tan in the sun, can he/she tan indoors? |
| I have never tanned before. What is it like? |
| How do the beds and booths work? |
| How long is one session? |
| What should I wear? |
| How long will it take before I can start seeing results? |
| Why is it important to develop a base tan? |
| Why do people use lotions? |
| Does bronzed skin result from sunlamp tanning at a time? |
| Can tanning cause wrinkles? |
| Why does a tan disappear? |
| What does it mean to tan smart? |
| What causes white spots? |
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| Can tanning indoors cause cancer? |
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| Excessive or overexposure to any UV light source may lead to skin damage, which may cause skin cancer. Three high risk groups have been identified as causes of skin cancer: 1) severe sunburns at a young age, 2) a history of skin cancer in the family and 3) very fair skin, red hair, freckles or moles. If you fall into one or more of these groups, any UV light exposure should be treated with even greater caution. All UV exposure should be moderated at all times. However, as indoor tanning is done in a controlled environment, it is generally safer than outdoor tanning |
| Which is safer? Tanning indoors or in the sun? Why? |
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The two main types of ultraviolet radiation from natural sunlight are UVA (long-wave ultraviolet ray) and UVB (short-wave ultraviolet ray). UVA radiation can directly penetrate the dermal layer of skin and produce much melanin. UVB can reach the superficial layer of skin and cause a burning effect which gradually turns red skin into dark. After exposure to sunlight in a few hours, skin will redden and gradually darken. The tanning will last several weeks. Due to high content of UVA and UVB, the ultraviolet radiation from sunlight can cause such harmful effects as sunburn, skin irritation, skin peeling, freckles, and even skin cancer.
Sunlamp light makes skin tan by ultraviolet radiation too. Although the theory is identical to sunlight tan, the difference is the content of UVA and UVB ratings of sunlamp light can be manually adjusted and made fit to personal requirement. This function is effective in ensuring the best tanning effect to skin and reducing damage to sensitive skin. Besides, the effect of getting tan from UV sunlamp light for 10 minutes can be equivalent to that from sunlight for 1 hour. For people who are busy but wish to get bronzed skin, sunlamp tan is their best choice.
In short, indoor tanning is a controlled environment, which allows you to slowly build a gradual tan, to develop pigmentation and increase your natural SPF - thus providing a safer environment. The external factors of tanning in the sun, such as time of year and day, altitude, cloud coverage, pollutants, reflective surfaces, etc. are harder to control or predict - which may increase your risk of overexposure. |
| Must protective eyewear be worn while tanning indoors? |
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| Although they may, at times, be seen as a form of inconvenience, the goggles that you wear while tanning are very important. Your eyelids alone offer almost no protection against UV light, which can damage the cornea and retina and lead to cataracts. Not using proper eye protection may also result in short term effects such as tired, itchy eyes, headaches and loss of night vision. No one should ever be in a tanning bed without eye protection. Buy your own pair to avoid the risk of infections like pink-eye, which are easily transmitted. Alternatively, we provide goggles to customers upon request at no additional charge. Don't take chances with your eyes! |
| How often is an individual allowed to tan? |
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| A 48-hour time period should pass between each tanning session. Pigmentation and/or overexposure may not be fully visible until 12-24 hours after your tanning session. Two tanning sessions within this 24-hour period could result in an unintentional burn. Overexposure to UV light should always be avoided. |
| When shouldn't I tan? |
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| It is not recommended to tan, either outdoors or indoors, if you are taking photosensitizing medication. If you aren't sure, ask your doctor, or ask a tanning consultant at your tanning facility to see a list of these medications, which can greatly increase the risk of overexposure. You should also avoid tanning if you are pregnant, due to the heat, unless your doctor approves it |
| Is it harmful to wear contact lenses when tanning indoors? |
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| When the eyes are kept closed and proper protective eyewear is worn, UV light is blocked from penetrating the eye or lens. However, the heat generated by indoor tanning equipment could cause the eye to dry a bit, thereby making the lens uncomfortable. Just as one should moisturize the skin after tanning, you may also use eye drops recommended by your optometrist to remedy dryness. |
| Why do some dermatologists warn against sun exposure? |
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| While some dermatologists may advocate total avoidance of sun exposure, the media seems to quote only those who do. Many dermatologists and others from the medical community have acknowledged the need for moderate sun exposure, while advocating the use of sunscreens |
| Why do some people itch after tanning indoors? |
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| Itching and/or rashes may be linked to several unrelated causes. Some people are naturally photosensitive to UV exposure while others are susceptible to heat rashes, a side effect that is totally unrelated to UV light. Certain chemicals or ingredients found in cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, and even the acrylic cleaner might cause itching. Individuals are advised to tan with the skin as clean as possible. If discontinued use of a suspected product does not inhibit the rash, halt all exposure to UV light where possible and consult your physician. Heat rash, or tanner's itch, may also indicate that the light and heat generated by tanning bulbs or the sun has dried your skin, especially in previously unexposed areas. Discontinue tanning for a few days, then slowly build your time allowing melanin production to increase. For temporary relief try an unscented emollient cream. If symptoms persist, discontinue tanning and consult your doctor. |
| If an individual cannot tan in the sun, can he/she tan indoors? |
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| Normally, a person tans indoors only as well as he/she is able to tan outdoors. Yet, fair-skinned individuals who generally cannot tolerate the uncontrolled rays of the sun often achieve some colour when tanning indoors. You would need to start with a short exposure time, and increase it very gradually. However, if you NEVER tan from the sun, you will not tan from tanning lamps, since they emit the very same tanning rays as the sun does. |
| I have never tanned before. What is it like? |
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| To begin with, your first tan at Perfect Tan is complimentary. This way, you can try us out before making a purchase. Our tanning consultants will do a skin analysis to determine your exposure time and recommended tanning schedule. They will explain how UV light works and how your skin tans |
| How do the beds and booths work? |
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| Tanning beds and booths basically imitate the sun. The sun emits three kinds of UV rays (the ones that make you tan). UV-C has the shortest wavelength of the three, and is also the most harmful. The sun emits UV-C light, but then it's absorbed by the ozone layer and pollution. Tanning lamps filter out this type of UV light. UV-B, the middle wavelength, starts the tanning process, but overexposure can cause sunburn. UV-A has the longest wavelength, and it completes the tanning process. Tanning lamps use the best ratio of UV-B and UV-A light to provide optimal tanning results, with a lowered risk of overexposure. |
| How long is one session? |
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| Your first tanning session could take anywhere between [8-12 minutes], depending on your skin type. Many studios have various solariums, each utilising different lamps. Hence, you should follow the recommended exposure time and schedule proposed by our tanning consultants. |
| What should I wear? |
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| It's totally up to you. (But long pants and sweaters aren't recommended for good results!) Some people choose to tan in their bathing suits or underwear, and others prefer a more "natural" approach. Since you are in a private room while tanning, you can wear whatever you like. The only thing required is that you do wear eye protection every time you tan, because eyes are unable to protect themselves from UV light, even when they are closed, and the light can cause temporary and permanent damage to them. Many different eye protection options are available at all tanning facilities. If you are tanning a previously unexposed part of your body, be sure to cover it up for part of your tanning time, so it can catch up safely with the rest of your tan |
| How long will it take before I can start seeing results? |
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| Most individuals start seeing results by their third visit. A tan doesn't happen overnight. It's important to build up a solid base tan which, in some cases, may take up to 5 sessions. Always remember to tan smart - go slow and steady, avoid burns and always remember to moisturise your skin when tanning frequently. |
| Why is it important to develop a base tan? |
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| Moderate exposure to UVB rays help develop a natural barrier in the skin to protect the body from excessive UV light. UVB rays stimulate the production of melanin, which absorbs and scatters radiation to thicken the epidermis (the top-skin layer), thereby limiting the amount of UV light. If this photo-protection (base tan) is not developed or a sunscreen is not used, sunburn can occur and the DNA of the skin cells may become damaged. Please note that although your skin has developed some natural protection, sunscreens should still be used. |
| Why do people use lotions? |
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Many people use indoor tanning products to maximize their tanning experience. The following are reasons why consumers often use tanning lotions:
1) They supply the skin with essential nutrients necessary for a tan and help moisturize the skin to keep it looking young and healthy.
2) Moist skin tans more quickly and efficiently than dry skin, resulting in a better tan in fewer visits.
3) Indoor tanning products help counteract the drying effects of heat and light associated with tanning (moisturized skin is healthier).
4) Active ingredients supplement the skin¡¯s cells with the same proteins that enhance the tanning process naturally.
5) Specially formulated indoor tanning lotions help your tan last by retaining ultraviolet induced melanin longer.
6) The latest lotion technology includes antioxidants that help prevent fine lines and wrinkles.
You don't need to wear an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) lotion when you tan indoors because these lotions, by nature, are designed to allow you to spend a longer time in the sun. For example, an SPF 8 would allow you to stay in the sun 8 times longer than you normally could. Since you are controlling your exposure time when tanning indoors, you don't need to use an SPF. You should also avoid using outdoor oils when you tan indoors. These oils will make the acrylic dirty and prevent you from tanning. However, indoor tanning lotions are specifically designed for indoor tanning; they help moisturize the skin while helping you tan faster. These can be purchased at most tanning facilities and should be used to help you get the best result possible. |
| Does bronzed skin result from sunlamp tanning at a time? |
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| In order to build a tan, it is important to tan regularly. Don't let too much time go by between visits, or your tan will begin to fade. You can tan up to once every 24 hours, but it is generally recommended that you wait at least 48 hours in between each session to allow your tan to fully develop in between visits. In fact, it is necessary to tan from sunlamp for at least 5 to 6 times, 1 or 2 sessions per time, to turn light-colored skin into bronzed gradually. Once you have a tan, you can maintain it by tanning two times a week (less often if you are using the high pressure tanning machine) |
| Can tanning cause wrinkles? |
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| Excessive exposure can destroy the resilient fibers of the lower skin layer, thereby causing the top skin layer to sag. Thus, elastosis or £¨wrinkling£© appears. UVA rays, if not blocked by pigmentation and skin thickening in the outer skin layer, can penetrate to the dermis and destroy skin elasticity. |
| Why does a tan disappear? |
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| A tan disappears because the top layer of your skin replaces all of its cells every 28-30 days. Keeping your skin moisturized will prolong a tan. However, a tan can be maintained only by repeated exposure to UV light. |
| What does it mean to tan smart? |
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| To tan smart is to build up your tan in a controlled, gradual manner. This provides for a natural tan without any burns, giving pigmentation a chance to develop and thus increasing your protection to UV light. Gradual exposure utilising the advice of our tanning consultants will not only enable to build a better tan, but will also prevent any negative aspects of overexposure. |
| What causes white spots? |
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There are several reasons why white spots become noticeable on the body once the tanning process begins:
1) Patches of skin, which do not tan, could be the result of genetic determination.
2) White spots could also appear due to the presence of a fungus, which lives on the skin's surface. While the fungus is harmless, it does absorb UV light, which would normally penetrate the skin. This fungus did not appear as a result of tanning; it merely becomes noticeable once tanning occurs. It can be remedied through the use of prescription drugs or other topical lotions.
3) White patches of skin, which are often prominent on the shoulder blades and just above the buttocks, can be caused by the pressure from the body as it reclines on a hard tanning bed surface. This pressure inhibits the flow of blood through that area of skin. Since blood carries oxygen, which is essential to the tanning process, this area does not tan. Periodic body shifting during tanning will make these patches disappear.
4) Certain medications can react unfavorably with exposure to UV light. For example, birth control pills can cause blotches and uneven pigmentation of the skin |
