| Are there any benefits to tanning?
Besides healthy looking skin, indoor tanning can duplicate other beneficial properties of sunlight. There is strong evidence that sunlight is known to: aid in building the resistance strength of the immune system, help us produce vitamin D, increase the body's ability to absorb calcium, build our skin's resistance which helps protect against over-exposure, and help combat depression and induce and energized feeling of well-being. In addition to these, tanning can also increase the supply of oxygen in the blood, help in the treatment of acne, psoriasis and eczema, stimulate the thyroid gland which boosts your metabolism and stimulate the male sex hormone which can increase the sex drive.
What are the benefits of tanning year round?
Spring
Why wait for summer? Get a healthy start on your summer tan and prepare your skin for the stronger summer sun to come.
Summer
Avoid the hassles of outdoor tanning such as annoying insects and exhausting heat. Also, for working people,
why wait all week for a chance to tan on the weekend only to burn or have cloudy weather?
Fall
As summer fades, don't let your tan fade with it; hang onto your tan with our simple, inexpensive maintenance program.
Winter
Escape the "winter blues" with a mini vacation tanning session and enjoy a beautiful tan even in the winter. You'll look and feel fantastic!
What about the protective eyewear?
Your eyelids do not provide adequate protection from UV light. Although there may be no immediate symptoms, damage may be occurring to your eyes which can lead to vision problems. Always wear eye protection when tanning.
What about suntan lotions and oils?
You may not use any outdoor products for indoor tanning, however, at Beach Bumz Tanning we have specially formulated products specifically for indoor tanning that you should use. These products will have special ingredients that can speed up the tanning process. They will also have moisturizers present which will replace moisture that is lost during tanning, bathing and other external factors. Remember that moist skin tans better and is healthier.
Should I tan before my vacation?
Absolutely! A tan is your skin's natural way of protecting itself against over exposure. By gradually getting a tan indoors first, you can pre-condition your skin so you can spend more time in the outdoor sun. Get the most out of your vacation investment!
What is the tanning process?
UVB stimulates the melanocyte cells in the skin to produce melanin ( a pigment) which is then oxidized by UVA, turning it brown. As the outerlayer of skin sheds, cells are lost and your tan will fade. Therefore, to maintain a tan requires continuous exposure to ultraviolet light. the degree of colouring depends on the amount of melanin you have, your individual reaction to ultraviolet light and the time of exposure
Are indoor and outdoor tans the same?
Just like natural sunlight, an indoor tanning system produces ultraviolet rays. The difference is that only UVA and diminished UVB rays are emitted and no UVC. The tanning process is the same indoors, however, there is definitely more exposure control.

What are the different sun rays?
The sun emits three kinds of non-visible ultraviolet light: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVCis the shortest, most harmful light but is primarily stopped bythe earth's ozone layer. UVB is the medium wavelength of light and is necessary to trigger the tanning process, but too much UVB can cause sunburn. UVA is the longest wavelength and is responsible for the oxidization of melanin in the skin.
Are you protecting your lips?
Lips do not produce melanin and need extra protection from the sun to prevent aging. All exposure to your lips is over exposure to them. Using a Lip Balm prevents the skin damage and the premature aging caused by over exposure. As you age your lips wrinkle and thin, so protect them with a good lip balm product. Using an over the counter lip balm is harmful because most contain photosensitive ingredients or are packed with ingredients that lock and coat preventing your lips from self hydrating!
Will burning first give me a darker, better tan?
NO ! Burning causes damage to the surface layers of the skin. Many people say " my burn turns to tan ". This myth is very dangerous. Tanning and burning are two totally different processes. Burning leads to premature aging, sunspots, drying, flaking and peeling of the skin, and should be avoided at all cost! A burn may heal and disappear at the same time a tan is developing , giving you the appearance that your burn is turning tan. You're actually causing damage to your skin. Repeated damage could lead to some forms of skin caner. The tanning process is not something that can be rushed. It may seem like nothing happened, but it can take up to 48 hours for melanogenisis to begin. Adjust your session slowly till you reached your desired color. Remember everyone is different, and while building a base tan 48 hrs is the recommended time between sessions.
What causes white spots?
These white spots are not from a dirty tanning bed. White spots are usually caused by a skin condition that effects tanners called Tinea Versicolor, a microscopic fungus from the scalp. White spots are treatable and should avoid ultraviolet light exposure until those areas have begun developing melanin again. Use special shampoo, or cream found at your local tanning center. There a several reasons why white spots become noticeable on the body when tanning.
- When patches of the skin do not tan its because of Melanocytes in that certain area may simply not be producing enough melanin.
- Birth control pills and some other medications can cause blotches and uneven pigmentation of the skin when exposed to UV light.
- White spots could also be appear due to fungus which lives on the skins surface, once again this is harmless. It can be remedied through the use of a special shampoo or cream found in most tanning salons.
- Pressure points are white patches of the skin. These patches are usually found on the shoulder blades, and just above the buttocks. These patches are caused from the pressure of the body as it reclines on the hard surface. The pressure inhibits blood flow through that area of the skin. This area will not tan because blood carries oxygen and is essential to the tanning process. To make these white patches disappear, try shifting your body during your tanning session.
We recommend to use Selsun extra strength with 2.5% Selenium Sulphide to treat Tinea Versicolor. Shower with it or for quicker results, rub it on and leave it overnight. Apply it like an ointment rather than a body wash. Shower and rinse it off in the morning. After about 3-4 of these treatments and you shouldn't see it anymore. You have to tan to verify there aren't any white spots. Let us know if we can answer any more questions as we see this question around the Internet frequently. View what Selsun looks like by clicking here.
How well do indoor tanning lotions really work?
Lotions that have been created for indoor tanning help you tan faster, replace, and maintain moisture of the skin. Many help to reduce and combat the signs of aging. By supplying your skin with needed vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and moisture, these lotions can help you tan faster than using no lotion at all. By using these lotions you can tan faster in fewer sessions with less UV exposure. Lotions intended for OUTDOOR use will damage bed acrylics and must not be used in a tanning bed.
How long does it take to get a tan?
Usually, you will begin to notice results after a few tanning sessions, but it may take a few weeks of regular tanning (at least three times a week) to get to the color you are looking for. If you are developing a base tan before going on a trip, you would want to start tanning about three or four weeks before you go.
When shouldn't I tan?
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.
Why do I have to follow the recommended exposure schedule?
By adhering to the schedule your tan should develop gradually without the adverse effects associated with overexposure. Abusing the schedule, that is, tanning for periods longer than recommended or attempting to accelerate the schedule, may result in damage to the cells. This in turn can actually limit or prevent the tanning process.
Can I use outdoor lotions in a tanning bed?
Just as the word indicates, outdoor products should ONLY be used outdoors, as they can cause a film on the acrylic. This actually inhibits the tanning process, rather than acting as an amplifying agent. Outdoor lotions are not allowed at Beach Bumz.
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