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Greg:
That's why we tell our clients that using ANY "approved" lotion is better than using no lotion!
What happens is that the use of a tanning lotion before tanning (1) rehydrates the stateum corneum, and, (2) changes the "refractive index" of the skin. Both of these "effects" (working in tandem) make it possible for the "transmission" of 30 - 40% MORE UVR into the skin.
Think of it this way. In a 20 minute MTI (maximum timer interval) sunbed, the use of a lotion gives you the "equivalent" of tanning for 26 - 28 minutes!
My favorite "example" is to "relate" what happens to the use of a "coupling agent" when doing an EKG (to measure heart function). You will not get a good EKG reading if you do not use a "coupling agent" and the same thing is true with tanning, i.e., you won't get as good of a tan if you don't use a lotion before tanning.
BTW, both of these effects take place virtually immediately to condition the skin.
So, are there other benefits of using a tanning lotion. Yes, but manufacturers can't "claim" them because if they did it would mean "admitting" that transdermal penetration had occured and a tanning lotion would then be "classified" as a drug by FDA (and double or triple the price).
Good observation!
Don
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