If you tan regularly and plan on doing so for some time, you may be saving money in the long run by purchasing your own tanning bed.  A domestic grade tanning bed wouldn’t be the same piece of equipment as the commercial ones you see in salons, but they will still have the same effect as their more industrial style counterparts.

Comfort and Convenience

For some people, having the privacy to undress and tan in their own home is a good enough reason on its own to get their own bed.  For others, perhaps the idea of who knows how many other people lying on that same bed is unsettling for them.  Or maybe it’s just a time saving factor and you don’t want to drive to the salon, wait for a bed to be available, or have to make appointments days in advance.  Tanning when you want, day or night, can be a big reason for deciding to buy your own bed.

Equipment Price

When you work out the costs of buying minutes or tanning packages from a salon and compare that to the price of owning your own bed over an extended period of time, you’ll see that if you’re an avid tanner, you’re actually saving money by having your own equipment.  There will be additional costs such as replacement bulbs and electricity bills that you’ll need to pay for, but in the long run you’re still saving in comparison to tanning at a salon.

Bed and Bulb Maintenance

The bulbs on your home bed will have to be replaced occasionally.  They can usually last for up to about 1000 hours of use.  Depending on your usage and the number of people using the bed, 1000 hours of use could mean changing the bulbs roughly every 4-5 years.  Special cleaning products will also be required to clean the bulbs, but this doesn’t have to be done very often and the maintenance is generally pretty simple.

Safety and Precautions

When owning your own bed it could be tempting to tan longer or more often than you should.  This could lead to skin damage and possible health issues.  Getting a bed with a timer or using a clock timer is an excellent way to limit your exposure.  It’s also a good idea to tan no more than once in a 24 hour period.

While the commercial types of beds are usually built with more lamps and may give you a quicker tan, the same types of bulbs are used in domestic beds so you’re still getting the same quality of UV exposure and an equally beautiful tan.  If you have the space to store a bed and tan enough to make the investment worth it, buying a home tanning bed could be the right decision for you.

When deciding where to start working on your indoor tan, there may be certain factors you’ll want to consider before buying any kind of package or membership. Shopping around before committing to anything could save you a lot of money and regret. A lot of places have trial plans or one-time fees to see how you like their beds so if it isn’t costing you much or anything at all, take advantage of any trial offers you can to make the most informed choice possible.

Price

Usually a main deciding factor for most people paying for an indoor tan is the price. Finding a salon that offers the best deals can be tricky. Different salons can offer varying pricing methods so it isn’t always easy to compare price points versus sessions provided. Asking for a detailed breakdown of every package they offer, or perhaps even a printout, can help you when determining which salon will be more affordable for you.

Convenience

Driving or walking to your tanning salon can become a chore if it’s too far away to access easily. Finding a salon close to your home or work, or perhaps even in your gym, could save you a lot of traveling time. Some gyms offer tanning packages at excellent prices with a membership, so this may be a great option for you if you’re a member of a gym with tanning beds.

Knowing how busy a certain salon can get is also a very important factor when choosing the right place. Certain seasons or different times of day can get exceptionally busy, so being aware that you might have to wait for a bed or make appointments in advance is something you should know before making that salon your place to tan.

Quality

The quality of the bed and bulbs can differ widely from salon to salon. Some beds have weaker bulbs, which may be perfect for you if you have fair skin that’s prone to burning, but usually you’ll want high efficiency bulbs that are replaced in a decent amount of time. Ask questions about equipment when you’re scoping out your new tanning spot and determine how well maintained their beds are.

Sanitation

The cleanliness of your salon is something you should keep in mind. If the inside of the salon itself looks dirty, that right there may be something to think about. By law, the beds should be cleaned after every use, so even though UV rays kill most bacteria, ensuring the beds are properly disinfected will keep you safe and worry-free while tanning.

Knowledgeable Staff

The fees you’re paying to tan in a salon or spa are also going towards paying for the level of service you’re receiving from the staff. Not only should they be friendly and approachable, they should be able to address all the tanning questions and concerns you have. When starting at a new salon the staff should be asking for your appropriate history such as susceptibility to burns and possible medication that can be affected by UV exposure. They should also be providing proper equipment and lotion information if needed and be able to provide advice on time exposure and tanning frequency.

Getting the best tan is highly dependent on where you choose to do it. Finding a salon that has the right price, location, equipment, and staff will have a huge effect on your overall tanning experience. Don’t be afraid to shop around before deciding that any one salon is right for you.

Spray tanning and airbrush tanning have become a popular form of getting that healthy bronze glow we’re always after and can be a great alternative if you want to avoid possible damage from UV rays. Before you hit the salon or a buy a bottle of tanning spray to try at home there are a few thing you should know before getting started to ensure you get the best results.

The Basics of a Spray Tan

Spray tanning works by spraying or airbrushing an FDA approved substance called DHA (or dihydroxyacetone) onto your skin. This is a form of sugar that sticks to the dead skins cells on your body and causes a chemical reaction with the amino acids on your skin to create a browning result. Since it affects the outermost layer of skin, it lasts only about a week or so until the tinted skin has been exfoliated away. Be sure to exfoliate beforehand to maximize the time your tan will last.

Where to Get It

This is a process that can be done at home or in a salon and can sometimes even be found at a kiosk at the mall or beach. The thicker skin on your body such as your hands and feet can absorb more DHA creating a more intense colour, so if you’re applying your own spray tan, it may be best to do these areas last or not at all. Salons will offer this service by means of a booth that sprays you automatically or by applying the spray by hand with an airbrush.

The Spray Tanning Process

The tanning spray is misted onto the body from an automatic nozzle in a booth or by hand from an airbrush gun. If you want the best results, you may be more inclined to have a well trained technician apply it with the airbrush to avoid missing any spots, applying too much solution to one area, or giving yourself any streaks or blotches. A professional spa technician should also be able to advise you on the correct application to get the perfect tone for your natural skin colour.

This process is done a few minutes, the extra spray is towelled off, and the results can be noticed in about an hour or so. You will likely be advised to wait about 4 hours before showering to avoid rinsing the spray off while the chemical reactions are still in progress. Keeping your skin moisturized will slow the exfoliation of your skin and should help to keep your tan lasting longer.

Precautions to Take

Like any cosmetic product you apply to you skin, possible allergic reactions can occur. If you have sensitive skin you may want to do a test patch on yourself before getting a full body spray. This process could also dry out your skin so be sure to use proper moisturizers to keep your skin looking healthy and beautiful.

The tanning solution used is for external use only, so be careful to cover your eyes and mouth during the application. Holding your breath or using a breathing filter (such as a small mask) while spraying areas even away from your face may also be a good idea if you have sensitive lungs.

Whether you want to just get a little darker for a special event or will be repeating the process each week, spray tanning is a great way to get a healthy looking bronze while avoiding the sun and its UV rays. This process doesn’t give you any kind of a base tan that will protect from UV exposure, so be sure to still use sunscreen when tanning outdoors or spending any time in the sun.