Tanning Bed Tips for Fair Skin

A nice even tan makes us look and feel good and that healthy glow does wonders for our confidence. A burnt, blistered or peeling skin, on the other hand, is definitely not a good look and should be avoided at all costs. Apart from being dangerous, it just makes you want to hide your face from the world. Right? Those of us with a fair skin need to take extra care to prevent the nasty, roasted red lobster look. So, read on for some hot tanning bed tips for fair skin, so that you too can achieve that fabulous golden tan.

Be patient

• There’s a popular myth that with a tanning bed, anyone can get an instant tan. False. There are no quick fixes, no shortcuts.
• If your skin gets too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation too fast, it will not be able to handle it, and it will burn. Plain and simple. Slowly but surely, the golden look will come. Just give it time.
• And by the way, different skins tan at different rates. Yes, your girlfriends may get quicker results but their skins may not be as fair as yours. Patience is the key here.

Take it slowly

• Tanning bed operators have a responsibility to assess your skin type thoroughly and then recommend a safe tanning time. Listen carefully, even if you don’t like what they tell you, they know what they’re talking about.
• The first couple of times you expose your body on the sunbed, you may be disappointed; where’s the golden tan, you may be thinking. Rest assured, your skin is establishing its base tan, the foundation on which your tan will develop.
• If you can’t wait for the bronzed look, top up the base tan with self-tanning lotion.

How many sessions, how often?

• • Generally it takes about 10 sessions to get a deep all over tan.
  • Fair skins can’t tolerate the usual 20 minute tanning session. The maximum exposure is 6 or 7 minutes at the start and then, if all goes well, build up to 10 minute
  • If your skin doesn’t turn pink or red within 24 hours of your session, go for another session the following day. But if you experience any dryness, rashes or itchiness, stop. Wait until your skin has returned to normal. Remember, you don’t want to overdo it, especially at the beginning. Tanning beds can be surprisingly strong, so you want to use the same amount of caution with them as you would when tanning outside under the sun. So if you managed to not burn at all after your first visit to the tanning salon, don’t go back right away. You might even want to wait at least 48 hours before going back for another session.
  • Once you’ve got the colour you want, going to the salon just 2-3 times a week should be plenty to maintain it.

Use lotions and moisturisers

• If you were lying on the beach in the midday sun, you’d use a high factor sun lotion. Wouldn’t you? Well, same goes for the sunbed. Protect your sensitive skin with at least factor 20 cream. If your skin burns, you’ll have to wait for the skin to peel and then start over, putting the tan back by several days.
• Moisturizing is a must – before and after each tanning session to avoid dry or prematurely ageing skin.

A Few Additional Tips for Tanning Fair Skin Beautifully and Safely

In addition to the handy guidelines listed above, if you have fair skin and you want to get a fabulous tan with the help of a high quality tanning salon bed, consider implementing the following suggestions as well. You might notice that these tips help make it easier for you to achieve the tan that you want without having to worry about your fair skin getting irritated or burned along the way.

• Exfoliation can be really beneficial for individuals who have fair skin and are working on getting a tan that they will be proud to show off. So make it a point to exfoliate your skin gently prior to going to the tanning salon. This can help remove dead skin cells, smooth your skin, and prepare your skin for what’s ahead.
• It is also really helpful to know about the different tanning bed options that you have at your local salon. Different tanning beds will produce different effects. Oftentimes, you’ll find tanning beds that range from level 1 to level 4. While level 1 and level 2 are typically more affordable and let you stay in them for longer stretches of time, such as 20 minutes, they do give off greater amounts of UVB rays compared to UVA rays. Those UVB rays are the ones that can lead to red, burned skin, particularly if you have a fair complexion to begin with. Tanning beds that are either level 3 or level 4, on the other hand, are designed to help you get a tan in a shorter timeframe, but they are typically pricier too. However, they give off more UVA rays, which help you get a darker tan that will last longer. Talking to a tanning salon customer service rep about your options will give you greater insight into which bed is right for you. For example, they might recommend starting with a level 1 bed and then working your way up to a level 3 or 4.
• It is really important that you give your skin enough time to recover in between your tanning sessions. This can’t be stressed enough, especially if you have fair skin that is sensitive and prone to burning and irritation. You definitely don’t want to damage your skin, so waiting a couple of days before going back to the tanning bed will give your skin a chance to heal, and that will ultimately lead to a healthier looking tan that will also last longer.

Yes, I know being sensible is kind of boring, but really your fair skin deserves some tender loving care on and off the sunbed. It might take a little longer, but if you follow the safe tanning tips above, your fair skin should glow with a deep, healthy tan.

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