hometan

Hi, I am a fairly new tanner and just got a SunCraze 2400v pro tanning bed (made by soleil) for home use. It had dual facials, frosted acrylic and i am told that it has 100w phillips rt reflector bulbs 5%. I have dark brown hair and fair freckled skin and at all salons burn first and then with time develop a tan. I have laid in this tanning bed 3 times and have yet to get burnt or really get any color (1-10 min sesion, 1-15 minute, and 1-20 minute) I was wondering if the frosted acryic had anything to do with it, or the bulbs. If anyone has used or owned the same type bed did it have similar results. I called the manufactors and and they said that it is a lower UVB bulb and it wont burn you as much and will take longer to develop a tan but it will be darker and deeper. Im worried to say the least thinking I "got burnt" buying this bed. Should I change the bulbs?? If so what are the best bulbs a 100w bed???? Please help! Im panicked!

SooSamm

First of all...one should purchase the bulbs that are recomended for the bed...secondly and really should be the most of your concern...is have you been skin typed and started out at the recomended or just under that time limit for your skin....one should stick fairly close to that schedule since it is your home bed and you are not losing any time or money from a purchased package at a salon...therefore...take your time and get the tan you want...but don't think it has to be an overnight one...or surely you will be burning yourself right along...if you need a bulb recomendation ..please email me and i will set you up with a couple bulb companies that you can choose from...Have a Great Day!!!!

sunsally

Don't panic. A few questions......

Did you buy it new (and therefore with new lamps)? Does it have 24 lamps total?

Frosted acrylic should be fine. If it is in your home, it is possible you don't have the right voltage to the bed so it is "running" but not giving the proper output. What did voltage did Soleil say would be required to run the bed? Did you (or an electrician) check what you have?

hometan

The bed is a 24 total bulbs bed, Soleil (affordabletanningbeds.com) told me that it plugs into a regular 110v outlet (i paid extra to have it plug into a regular household outlet) The bed is brandnew, came just a few weeks ago. There has been more people that just me to lay in the bed, noone can really see any difference, slight if any. I am just used to having a bed be really strong and burn me the first few times but tan me after around 5 times. I have laid in this one 6 times and nothing really, i did burn once but only after using the "tingle" lotion....Any suggestions?

sunsally

Well, compared to a tanning salon bed...

-yours may have fewer lamps (my base bed has 32 120W lamps compared to this one at 24 100W lamps) - so that can make it seem (and be) not as strong.

-yours may "perform" much less than a commercial bed (even with the same number and wattage of lamps, all beds are NOT the same!!)

-you should NEVER burn - so that isn't necessarily a bad thing! Try putting a sticker or bandaid on your stomach, tan, and then see if you are "getting anything". Lamps DO make a difference, and ones with more UVA will take a little longer to 'show' the results, and be less likley to be reddening.

-A "tingle" lotion won't burn you, but will give you the 'red' look immediately after tanning. It MAY help you get darker eventually also.

Have you gone 6 days in a row? Or spread out?

I would probably call soleil directly (not necessarily through affordable) and ask them to confirm that you can run this bed on a 110V plug and don't need a buckbooster or anything else. Still think that could be the issue. But, unfortunately, you may find as many home bed buyers do, that you "get what you pay for" and that a bed sold for the home doesn't really "perform" as well as what you are used to in a salon. My beds in my salon retail for between $8,000 and $43,000 --- bet you paid a lot less than that for yours!

Sorry can't be of much more help!

pam

I have had several of our tanners who have purchased a small, home 100 unit feel the same way. As sunsally said, it very well may be that the bed is not operating as it should on 110. Good Luck!

hometan

Thanks guys, I called the bed people and they couldnt really give me a great excuse but said that they could see if they could get me anymore bulbs at around 10.00 a bulb, which i think is ridiculous.....so you think a buckbooster might make a bit difference.....i would hate to buy one and have the same results...what do you think.

sunsally

I'd have an electrician check your electrical output first. Buck booster is only needed if you are running voltage at lower than what is needed for the bed.

Do you have an instruction manual that goes with the bed saying what is required? If not, I'd ask for one!

bronzr

I'm in the process of opening my new salon (March 1st) Im also new to tantalk. I don't know a lot about the difference in lamps, just the basics. I am also light skinned, freckles and red hair, the tanning process for us does take longer. I couldnt help but make a suggestion to avoid burning when you tan, you'll get better color, your skin will look better, and you'll avoid skin damage. Most of the salons I would go to would start me out in the bed too long, so I learned if they said 7 min. Id go 5. But anyway, good luck with your bed!

hometan

Thanks so much, it is hard for us "fair skinned" people to get a good looking tan with out getting skorched. I am on the process of getting new bulbs.....I am purchasing the desert sun bulbs to make my bed a 15 minute bed, They recommended me to start out at 8 minutes ( can you beleive it) I will start out at more like 4 and start very very slowly..... if you dont mind me asking, what type of lotion do you use?? Thanks for the input,