Skin Typing

Everybody has a different skin type which affects their tanning capability and determines how much melanin their skin is capable of producing. A tan is produced by the darkening of melanin, therefore light skinned people cannot produce as much melanin as those with naturally dark skin. Because of this, light skinned people need to be more cautious when tanning. A scale of six different skin types has been constructed to prevent overexposure and skin damage, as well as make it easy for you to develop a tan within your skin's limits. Additionally, our staff has been trained to evaluate skin types and develop a tanning schedule for you to achieve maximum results.

Type 1:

Skin Reaction:

Tans little or not at all, always burns easily and severely, then peels.

Examples:

People most often with fair skin, blue eyes, freckles, white unexposed skin.

Type 2:

Skin Reaction:

Usually buns easily and severely (painful burn); tans minimally and lightly; also peels.

Examples:

People with fair skin, blue or hazel eyes, blonde or red hair, white unexposed skin.

Type 3:

Skin Reaction:

Burns moderately, gains average tan.

Examples:

Average Caucasian, white unexposed skin.

Type 4:

Skin Reaction:

Burns minimally, tans easily and above average with each exposure, exhibits IPD (Immediate Pigment Darkening) reaction.

Examples:

People with light or brown skin, dark brown hair, dark eyes, unexposed skin is white or light brown (Asians, Hispanics, and Mediterraneans).

Type 5:

Skin Reaction:

Rarely burns, tans easily and substantially, always exhibits IPD reaction.

Examples:

Brown-skinned persons, unexposed skin is brown (East Indians, Hispanics, etc.).

Type 6:

Skin Reaction:

Tans profusely and never burns, exhibits IPD reaction.

Examples:

Persons with black skin (African and African Americans, Australian and South Indian Aborigines).

* Protect your lips with lip balms or sunscreens.

* While tanning in the nude, cover previously unexposed areas for the majority of your tanning time for the first few visits. Gradually increase exposure to these areas until they catch up with the rest.

* While taking any medications, please let one of our staff members know. Some medications can cause reactions with UV light.

A list of medications that may react with UV light:

Tetracyclines, especially Domeocycline

Sulfonamides, especially Sulfanilamide

Griseofulvin

Halogenated Salicylanilides

Phenoathiazines, especially Chlorpromazine

Thiazides

Psoralens

Sulfonylureas

Oral Contraceptives

Sunscreens, Tar

Cosmetics

**Carefully read all bottles of prescription medicine and consult a doctor and pharmacist before tanning when taking any medication.**

* Most importantly, protect your eyes! Simply closing them while you tan is not adequate protection against the harmful effects UV light may have. Damage to your eyes may not be noticed for months or even years.

* The possibility of eye damage can easily be eliminated by protecting them when you tan. The eye protection we offer meets FDA regulations by blocking 99.9% of UVB and 99% of UVA. For these reasons, we insist that you use eye protection every time you tan.

* Although indoor tanning uses the best blend of ultraviolet light, the combination of heat and light can dry your skin. Therefore, you should moisturize your skin to get the most out of each visit.

* Do not rush your tan. A tan should be obtained gradually to avoid damage to the skin and sunburn. Gradually increase your exposure time and do not tan burned skin.

1. Prepare your skin: Do not tan in the sun prior to your session to prevent burning. Exfoliation will shed dead skin cells from the body, priming skin to receive a healthy tan.

2. Select you exposure time and lotion: Consult with our staff to determine the best exposure time and personalized recommendation for lotion. Using a lotion is essential because it provides the moisture and nourishment needed to prime skin for a healthy tan. Lotions also contain ingredients that will allow you to get accelerated results from each session.

3. Apply lotion: apply accelerant lotions liberally, paying special attention to dry areas, such as shaved legs. *Do not use any tingle products on face.

4. Apply SPF to lips: Lips contain no melanocytes, so they are unable to protect themselves. We recommend that clients use a SPF lip balm prior to tanning sessions to prevent burning and damage to the lips. Also, UV can aggravate cold sores, so if you have a history of cold sores, SPF for lips is vital.

5. Protect untanned areas: If you have any areas that have no been recently exposed to UV light you may want to either apply a light sunscreen or cover then with a towel for part of the session. It is important to tan these areas gradually to prevent sunburn or skin damage. Also, if you have tattoos or forming scars you should protect them. We carry SPF 30, special tattoo protective balm sticks, and SPF lip balms for this purpose.

General:

* Exfoliate. Use a loofa or puff with an exfoliator containing alpha-hydroxy acid and / or micro beads prior to tanning or at least once a week.

* Limit tanning to 3-4 times a week. To determine how often you should tan take into account your skin type and tanning goals.

* Use shower gels. Regular use of harsh soaps can shorten the life of your tan. The essential oils from your skin form a moisture lock, when these oils are depleted they leave tanned skin cells vulnerable to be washed away or lightened. Shower gels with less alkaline ph levels are less likely to strip natural oils from the skin.

Once you arrive:

* Apply SPF to lips- Lips contain no melanocytes, so they are unable to protect themselves. We recommend that clients use a SPF lip balm prior to tanning sessions to prevent burning and damage to the lips. Also, UV can aggravate cold sores, so if you have a history of cold sores, SPF for lips is vital.

* Apply accelerant lotion: Keeping skin moist is essential to the production and maintenance of your tan. In addition to providing moisture, accelerants and amplifying lotions will help your body produce a tan more quickly and you will get more color out of every session.

* Protect sensitive areas: Some parts of our body receive less exposure to sunlight than others. For the first session or two, you may want to cover these areas and gradually introduce them to UV light.

After you leave:

* Apply moisturizer: We recommend using an after-tan moisturizer to keep skin hydrated and extend the life of your tan.

* Avoid over-exposure: Refrain from spending any extended amount of time in the sun after sessions. Remember, a UV session is like a full day of sun.

Avoiding Tan Lines:

* Armpits: If you find you are white under your arms, try putting arms over your head for half of your session. The stand-up unit with overhead handles will help as well.

* Buttocks: This can be cause by the weight of your body folding under your skin as you lie down. Try lifting your legs (one at a time) in classic sunbathing position for half of your session. Use of the stand-up every third session with also help eliminate this problem.

* Pressure Points: Pressure points can develop under your shoulder blades or on your tailbone as a result of lack of blood flow to these areas when your are lying down. To eliminate these points, try using the stand up every third session or shifting weight from side to side a few times during your session.

* Chin: This can be caused by tilting your head down during the session. Use the thick part of the pillow under your neck so that your head is tilted slightly backward during your session, exposing your neck. If you are in the stand up, try to point your head directly forwards or slightly towards the ceiling.

* Eyes: Do not consider tanning without eyewear. If you are having problems with goggle lines, try using winkease or sunsets. Moving eyewear around during the session will also help blur any lines that may occur.

Avoid mistakes:

* Use eyewear: The skin of your eyelid is very thin and UV light readily passes through it. A towel does not provide adequate protection. UV light is damaging to the eye if proper eyewear is not worn.

* Remove makeup: If your makeup contains any SPF it is best to remove it or you may not tan evenly.

* Do not use outdoor lotions indoors: Outdoor lotions typically contain SPF, which is not conducive to indoor tanning. Using an outdoor lotion will essentially negate your session.

* Do not burn first: Do not make the mistake of thinking you have to burn before you tan. UV damage can actually slow your tanning process and has no effect on the production of a tan.