If you’ve never used a canopy tanning bed before, the first time can be a little intimidating. Issues such as skin hydration and the position in which you should lie so that no spots appear on your skin are very important and all of this should be clear.
Choose The Right Type Of Canopy Tanning Bed
If you decided to go to a tanning salon, you need to see what options they offer. Most have several different types of beds, which use different methods. To find out which one is best for you, talk to a hostess and see what they have to offer, based on your skin type. If there is more than one salon in your city, compare them and choose the one you like the most.
Salons usually offer discounts for multiple sessions. If this is your first time tanning, be sure to reserve just one. So, you see the result and decide whether to continue with this method or not.
- If you want a very natural tanning effect, choose a low or medium pressure bed. UVB rays are emitted similarly to natural sunlight, allowing for a very accurate result. The main difference between medium pressure and low pressure is that the former works at a higher voltage, which makes the skin tan faster. Since lamps in low and medium pressure beds emit UVB rays more slowly, there is a risk of burns. If you burn easily, find another method.
- If you want a longer-lasting tan, bet on a high-pressure bed. It emits a higher percentage of UV rays, which makes the skin darker faster, but without burning, with a lasting result. Given all the benefits, this method is much more expensive than others. If this is your first experience with tanning without exposure to the sun, avoid using a high pressure bed until you are used to the other methods. This is because it tans faster, and if you’re not used to the process, you could end up with a lot of spots on your skin.
- If you want a faster, more consistent tan, choose vertical tanning bed. Since your skin does not touch anything, getting rid of spots on the skin becomes more difficult. It’s great for people with claustrophobia or those who have never had a tan before. If you are worried about having to roll around in bed, the vertical position is also your best option. Its coverage is 360 degrees, all you have to do is keep your arms and legs wide apart.
In tanning salons, you should always verify the beds hygiene before making an appointment. When you use the bed, you will be half naked or as you came into the world, so it’s a good idea to clean the bed. If the place looks dirty, find another salon.
Ask what kind of cleaning products salon staff use on beds. A common window cleaner does not kill all bacteria.
Another way to find out if a salon is any good is by searching for it on the Internet. Read what customers have to say, about the service provided and the cleanliness of the place. If you find many or few negative, but very serious reviews, look elsewhere.
Fill out the skin type form to find out which one is right for you. The form contains basic questions about hair, eyes, skin tone, sensitivity, and how often you tan. This form helps to know the best method and time of exposure depending on your skin type.
Also tell all the medicines you take to see if there is a risk of any side effects. Although there is nothing that prevents pregnant women from tanning, salons can refuse to do so. This is because the procedure can cause a high temperature, dehydration, malaise. If you are pregnant, consult a doctor and take a look at the salon’s policies before making an appointment.
Skin Preparation For Canopy Tanning Bed
To avoid irritation, start with relatively tanned skin, especially if you have been out of the sun for a long time. Thus, your skin gets used to the UV rays, which reduces the chances of getting a burn. To prepare your skin, you don’t have to go to the beach. Go for a walk or do some other outdoor activity. Don’t forget to always use sunscreen to avoid burns and over exposure.
Exfoliate and moisturize your skin before the session. It is important that it is clean and free of dead cells to ensure the best possible result. After you leave the shower, apply a neutral moisturizer to the skin, so that it acts as a barrier to protect it from burns and irritation.
Avoid using very strong soaps that dry out your skin or leave a residue. Choose those with shea or cocoa butter in the composition, which are natural moisturizers. Don’t forget to moisturize your lips well. It dries quickly and can burn when tanning, so it’s a good idea to use a quality moisturizer with an SPF before your session.
Leave strong-smelling products aside for some time. When heated, certain fragrances and chemicals can irritate your skin or prevent it from holding a tan. So, before the session, do not use products such as deodorants, perfumes or make-up. After tanning, wait at least 24 hours before resuming your beauty routine. Make-up and creams with strong fragrances can irritate the skin.
Wear a bathing suit to protect the most sensitive parts of the skin. Do not use areas such as the buttocks, breasts, and genitals to receive direct sunlight, as it can be irritated. To avoid this, wear a bathing suit during the session.
If you want to tan without clothes, use plenty of moisturizer in places that are most likely to be affected by UV rays. Also, leave your nipples and genitals covered most of the time, with some cloth or a towel borrowed from the salon. The more sessions you do, the less sensitive your skin will be and you won’t have to cover yourself as much.
If you’ve just dyed your hair or gotten a tattoo, cover it up to keep it from fading. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can affect the dye, so ask local staff if they can borrow a hair cap and find out what types of sunscreen can be used on the bed to protect the tattoo. UV also yellow acrylic nails, so ask the salon if they have anything to cover.
Wear swimming goggles to protect your eyes. Salon staff should provide it, but if you prefer, take one home. This supplement is important, because even with your eyes closed, the ultraviolet rays emitted by the device can irritate or hurt your eyes. Over time, overexposure without adequate protection can lead to color blindness, loss of night vision, cataracts, and blindness.
How To Use A Canopy Tanning Bed ?
Read carefully the manual to now exactly how the canopy tanning bed process works. This is even more important if this is your first time or if you are using a different bed than the one you are used to. Some have buttons that allow you to control the ventilation yourself or turn on lights to tan your face.
Set the timer and respect it. Usually, beds have a timer inside, so you can keep an eye on them. It is very important to know where it is or if someone is telling you about it. If your skin is clear or very sensitive, it will only take about seven minutes. But if it is darker in color or you have already arrived with tanned skin, the session will last much longer, up to about twenty minutes. More than that, you might get burned !
Lie on your back with arms and legs spread. Leaving it too sticky can leave tan imperfections, so it’s a good idea to go all over to get a little color in it. If you want to tan the lower part of your arms, lift them up and hold them above your head for a few minutes.
Bend your knees to avoid marks on your thighs. When lying down, the junction between the buttocks and thigh creates a fold that can leave a mark on the skin not receiving UV rays. To prevent this from happening, bend your knees so that your legs are slightly raised and there is no crease between the thigh and buttocks. If there is not enough room to bend the knees, bend one at a time.
Halfway through the session, turn around lying on your stomach. To tan your back, change your position by placing your arms at your sides, palms facing down. Usually, you will be warned, by a timer, that it is time to change position. Since this position is somewhat uncomfortable, you can use your elbows to support your body weight. If you’re tanning in a vertical room, forget about this step !
Rotate your body lying on your side. The last minutes of each session should be devoted to aspects of the body. Although the bed allows for tanning of these areas as well, even if obliquely, it is a good idea to spend at least about 30 seconds on each side, to ensure a uniform color all over the body.
After tanning, wait three to four hours before taking a shower. It is necessary to give time for better color adhesion to the skin. If you shower right after the procedure, you may end up with fading or even spots. If the skin is very dry, moisturize it with plenty of cream.
Final Words !
In order not to lose your tan, use the tanning bed regularly or use an after-sun lotion. Your skin will maintain its tanned color for up to 72 hours. If you are not satisfied with the result after that time, schedule another tan session. Some people need two or three sessions to reach the desired skin tone. To help, use products that preserve color to avoid color fading too much between sessions.
