Lotion to stop burning?
 

Hello all,

I am brand new to tanning and went today for the first time. The girl that worked there put me in for 7 minutes since I am very fair skin. Well I am so red/pink from the tanning bed. She tried to sell me on a few different lotions. I didn't buy into them because I wasn't sure if it was just hype... Is there a type of lotion I should use so I tan rather than burn??

Any help would be appreciated.

Re: Lotion to stop burning?
 

FYI lotions are called accelerators/intensifiers....

What happens when you put an accelerator on a fire? Exactly.

So no, lotions do not reduce the potential effects of burning. I dont know why people think that, but many do.

If you want to redcue your risk of burning, go less time. But you should be using a lotion, its not all about tanning and getting darker. Its also about proper skin care.

And NEVER use an outdoor lotion in a salon.

Re: Lotion to stop burning?
 

I agree and disagree with you. Accelerators are extremely important to the process as it kick starts melanogenisis (tanning). Dry skin is naturally curled and as light hits it and on reflects off of it, dry skin will burn faster than properly moisturized skin.

When you use a proper accelerator it smooths the outer layer of skin allowing for light to pass through it more effectively and the Tyrosine will help to kick start the process of tanning faster vs. not using a product at all.

More effective tanning using a proper accelerator and using less sessions and having to go less time in the beds (if that's what some are concerned about) to acheive the desired color. Not to mention replenishing your skin with moisture and vitamins it loses during the tanning process (remember tanning by definition is drying)

Re: Lotion to stop burning?
 

Sir, you need to start with shorter session durations because of your skin type. 5-6 minutes for the first three to four sessions - daily, in the base grade equipment. And ALWAYS use an indoor tanning product. These lotions have a moisturizer, in addition to other ingredients, that will help your skin tan faster than if you expose without them. Secondly, because of your skin type, and being a man, I suggest you use your salon's high-speed, or level 2/level 3 beds (whatever they have). The lamps in these beds generally have a significantly lower UV B output than the base beds and will help you tan faster - however, you still need to start out with only 5-6 minute sessions in these beds until you develop a base tan. I know opinions will vary, but yur skin will adapt much faster and start tanning more quickly if you go every day for the first 4 or five days. After the base tan is established you can skip a day in between and start to extend the session times. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Re: Lotion to stop burning?
 

Thanks for the advice everyone. So even though my skin is currently red from yesterday's tanning session I should go back today for 5 minutes?

Re: Lotion to stop burning?
 

No, give it a rest for a day or two. It will be fine. But when you go back, of you don't use the high-speed beds, at least drop your session lengths back to 5 minutes, and use a lotion. All indoor tanning lotions have alow vera and purified water as base ingredients - your skin needs these things to stay hydrated when it it is exposed to UV rays. The daily regimen still applies. Good luck.

Re: Lotion to stop burning?
 

Thanks Mr. B... Really appreciate the advice... I'll go back in tomorrow or the day after and I'll purchase one of their tanning lotions. Now I wonder if that cute little hottie behind the counter will rub the lotion on my back... Hmmmm.... lol

Re: Lotion to stop burning?
 

California tan has a product called " INSURANCE" and it is basically for over exposed skin to the sun , to help ease the pain of a sunburn because it sounds like you did get a slight sunburn. It is Aloe based with, cucumber and calendula to help calm, cool and relieve the sunburn. It is a great product and is also a good moisturizer.

Start to build your tan slowly especially if you are fair skined and yes you should use a lotion. It will help you develop your tan and also keep your skin moisturized and you should also moisturize after you shower. Dry skin can DEFLECT up to 40% of the UV rays in a tanning bed.

Ask the person who works at the tanning salon you go to to maybe put you in a starter bed, or use the bed you used but do your tanning sessions in less time, maybe 4 or 5 minutes every other day or every 2 days and then as your tan starts to develop you can gradually increase the time in the bed and the frequency you go tanning. In time you might be able to go for the entire 10 or 12 minutes the bed allows you to go.

Good luck and remember...start out slow and MOISTURIZE !!!

Have a good day !
Ricky :smile:

Re: Lotion to stop burning?
 

First Mr. nameless one, you should be at IAMTAN.com not here.
This is a site for salon owners, but since you are here, I'd like to know what was the max time allowed in the unit you tanned in?

If it is a 20 minute max time, then 7 should not have burned you unless you are a type 1 skin type in which, you , my friend should never get in ANY tanning bed. And you did say you had "VERY fair skin". If you did not fill out a skin type questionaire than you should go elsewhere IMO.

If you did 7 minutes in a 10/12 minute bed or booth, perhaps your "hottie" that suggested your session time and who you have hopes of having rub lotion on your back, needs some more education.
Following the recommended session time listed on the equipment based on your skin type will give you the best results without worry of burning.
And as far as lotion, Without it, you dry your skin, will not tan as well and your tan will fade much faster than when you use a decent product made for indoor tanning.

If you are not a TYPE 1 SKIN TYPE...
Take a few days off, and when you go back, buy a pair of goggles, some lotion -NOT SPF- ( if you want more instant type results, try a bronzer but not a hot/tingle) and a tanning package and go slow. Burns are skin damage and can and should be avoided at all costs.
And Cool beds will tan you just as well as hot ones so don't fall into the "heat makes me tan" trap.
Hope this helps