Tanning Beds

[DwarfMaster]

I have never been tanning in my life ~ never even considered it......but with our big vacation coming soon....I'm thinking I may need a little color to start out.

What should I expect?
How much does it cost?
How often should I go? For how long?
How long does the color last?
Do I need to buy any products, lotions, creams, etc?
Are the tanning beds better than the spray on?

Thanks for your help!

 

[GailT]

I manage a tanning salon. Spray tanning is a temp fix and you can still burn out in the sun. Tanning is a great way to get a base before you go away to avoid the burn from sun down south. Each salon is priced differently and the amont of time depends on your skin coloring. Lotions do hlep. Take it slow and you will get a nice golden brown tan before you even walk through the entrance to Disney. I am going to start my tanning, I take it very slow but I have olive complexion so I tan-up very fast. Good lunk and dont get discourged if you dont see a tan right away, a good tan from a tanning booth taks at least 2-3 weeks. I can kkeep my tan for weeks and weeks but some people lose color very fast. the way we tan is 2 days on one day off for medium skin, every other day for fair skin. Good luck, it's addicting though.

 

[Dan Murphy]

If need be, spray yourself brown. No amount of tanning, sun or artificial, is not unhealthy. Don't trade a brown look today for cancer in the future. Natural looks great, use a high SPF with multiple spectrum block for when in the sun. Enjoy the trip.

From ACS

I have never been tanning in my life ~ never even considered it......but with our big vacation coming soon....I'm thinking I may need a little color to start out.

What should I expect?
How much does it cost?
How often should I go? For how long?
How long does the color last?
Do I need to buy any products, lotions, creams, etc?
Are the tanning beds better than the spray on?

Thanks for your help!

 

[DwarfMaster]

Thanks for the info Dan ~ I'm fully aware of the consequences


Gail ~ How long do you tan for a medium skin tone? 10 minutes?

 

[Drnifer]

I did the spray-on mystic tan the day before i left for WDW in June. It was SO quick and cost about $17. It lasted about 3-4 days, but I was already tanning from being at the parks all day(even with SPF 30 on!) that you couldn't really tell when it wore off. Have a great time and good luck!

 

[Disneyworldreaming]

time in a bed depends on what type of bed your using. you usally start anywhere from 5-7 mins and work your way up. I would start for lotion with a "sample" that most tanning salons offer. and start with a step 1 lotion to help you build up properly. you might want to do a month unlimited ...so you can do what and when you want. so most beds(or booths) go up to 15 and some are still 20 mins per session.

I prefer the high powered beds.(no burning rays) -straight tan- which goes up to 15 mins and you get tanner much quicker.

either way, after the first two weeks you should start to develop a good base tan. and at that point you want to go inot a step 2 lotion.

 

[N.Bailey]

time in a bed depends on what type of bed your using. you usally start anywhere from 5-7 mins and work your way up. I would start for lotion with a "sample" that most tanning salons offer. and start with a step 1 lotion to help you build up properly. you might want to do a month unlimited ...so you can do what and when you want. so most beds(or booths) go up to 15 and some are still 20 mins per session.

I prefer the high powered beds.(no burning rays) -straight tan- which goes up to 15 mins and you get tanner much quicker.

either way, after the first two weeks you should start to develop a good base tan. and at that point you want to go inot a step 2 lotion.

While Dan is correct, many of us look the other way and may pay the price later on. I just couldn't continue wouldn't saying that.

I'd highly suggest you follow these recommendations above though. The 1st time you're in that bed, you might not feel like anything is happening, but it is!!! Please take heed and make your first visit no more than 5-7 minutes. I'd go with the 5 if you have a light complexion. I'd then wait for that to heal for a few days (no less than 3 days, but if you've got the time, wait 5-7 days), then bump it up gradually, till you get to the full amount of time. It's 20 minutes where I go. When you get yourself to that full time frame (15-20 minutes) you can start to go more frequently (meaning less time between visits) till you reach your desired effect.

The tan will last as long as a suntan from the sun does.

Self tanning sprays only last a couple of days and are okay for certain events in your life too. I think there was a thread here where MANY recommend Jergens (sp?) tanning lotion. You might want to search The Dis to see how great many think this product is. You could also take it to Disney and keep reapplying it while you're there.

Just to make everyone sick, my salon charges $30 for 10 sessions and you can call daily to make your appointment for that day.

 

[TeresaMc]

Tanning in a bed is no worse for you than being in the sun.....matter of fact tanning in moderation to build a base tan before being in the sun is far better for you than burning. You absolutely do not want to burn!!!!!
There are lots of different types of tanning equipment and all have different exposure times. My recommendation would to be to look at the piece of equipment you plan to use and go by the lable for exposure times. most beds it is 3-5 mintues per session for the first 2-4 session and work up progressively from there. Most salons will encourage you to go longer...do not do it!!! Those recommendations are for a reason. I have 4 tanning salons and follow these guidelines for new clients and every one of them get tan. We do not allow our customers to tan more than every other day and ask to see their FDA approved eye protection each visit. We preach moderation, and good skin care and eye protection. Not all salons are like this unfortunately
Tanning lotions sold by your salon will help you build more melanin so you will therefore tan quicker plus they have high quality moisurtizer and skin care ingredients to keep your skin healthy and hydrated.
Cost will vary significantly across the nations...even within a town.. I would steer clear of a tan for a month for $XX. And find a high end salon that will sell you the number of session you need to get your desired color.
It takes 8-10 sessions to get a base tan so allow at least 3-4 weeks.

Spray tan is cosmedic and will give you a nice looking glow, most sprays last 5-7 days with optimum results the first 2-3 days. It is a good option if you want to look nice and golden. Spray tans are purely cosmedic and will not stop you from burning in the real sun.

Are tanning beds good for you???? NO
But neither is drinking city water, breathing polluted air, drinking caffeine, eating fats, etc.

I think (only my opinion) that moderate UV exposure in tanning equipment to acheive or maintain a base tan for an event or for day to day life is no worse for you than anything else we do to ourselves. But only you can decide what is right for you. I do not encourage or endorse prolonged repeated exposure for anyone, and I make my living off of these devices.

Also remember no matter how dark a tan you have, you can still burn when exposed to the sun for long periods of time, so ALWAYS use a SPF when planning on being outdoors (even on cloudy days).

 

[Beth76]

LOL!!! We're going to Mexico in about 2 months and I just posted this question on a travel board! I've tanned before, but not as a "base tan" before heading to a tropical destination. I wasn't sure how long I should be tanning prior to leaving. I guess I'll start in a couple of weeks (I'm still a little tan from summer) and go a few times a week until we leave.

I too am aware of the "consequences" but still feel it's better to have a base tan (and still use sunscreen) than to just douse my pale skin with heavy sunscreen. Plus, I'll look and feel better.

 

[Miranda Danda]

What should I expect? Stinky skin afterwards
How much does it cost? about $40/month unlimited
How often should I go? For how long? Depends on your skin type
How long does the color last? Mine lasts for months after I quit going
Do I need to buy any products, lotions, creams, etc? Personal decision. I didn't
Are the tanning beds better than the spray on? I would rather go to spray on, less dangerous

 

[Dopey Sharon]

When I start my spring tanning, I go to Hollywood Tans and buy a package, usually either eight or 10 tans.

I prefer the higher wattage stand up booths. The maximum time is 8 minutes.

I do use a tanning lotion. They sell small samples, which I try first before I buy a big bottle. I also ask the girls who work there for suggestions on the better lotions.

I go Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the first week. I then go once a week. I start out 6 minutes on Monday, 7 minutes on Wednesday and the full 8 minutes on Friday and every day after that.

You will need to buy eye protection. I have goggles. They also sell "winkies" that you can only use one time.

I have also tried the new Jergens lotion. That works very well.

Good luck!

 

[GailT]

Thanks for the info Dan ~ I'm fully aware of the consequences


Gail ~ How long do you tan for a medium skin tone? 10 minutes?

If you are in a regular UVA booth I would start out with 10 minutes then go the next day if you DID NOT get red or even pink 11 minutes, if you get pink or red skip a day then go stay on the 10 minutes for a second time. Hope I helped and have fun in Disney

 

[LadyyRedd]

Check around with salons in the area and see what they offer. Do not hesitate to go in and ask for a tour and to have them demonstrate their beds and explain how each work and what the expectations are.

The place I go sanitizes each room after each use. They provide the eye protection and sanitize it after each use as well. They have about 35 beds of vaying intensities, a stand up "bed" that is higher powered, and a machien that just does legs.

A regular 15 minute session (higher powered beds) is $7.50, except on Wed it is $5.00. Mine also offers many different packages you can select, like for new customers they offer a 10 session package with a free gift bag (had a body lotion, tanning lotion, moisturizer, body wash, loofah) of your choice of scent for $51.00. You get to try out some of their products (and they're hoping you buy more).

Kimya

 

[Laurajean1014]

Don't use a tanning bed. I want to age gracefully.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I used to manage tanning salons a few years ago and I always had a nice base tan-not too dark or fake looking. It did help me not to burn when I went on a vacation. Otherwise, I rarely went to the beach b/c I worked so much.
When I left the job as a tanning salon manager, now that it wasnt free, I didn't bother tanning for the next 6 months. I was fair yes-and maybe my legs showed their imprefections if you know what I mean. But my skin looked better than it ever did before. I realized all the damage I had already done to my skin at such a young age after going to the dermatologist. When it came time to tan for the summer, I decided not to. I have stopped tanning indoors in tanning beds and I regularly see the dermatologist. I have had the tiniest marks removed here and there due to sun exposure. It just isn't worth it for me. I don't want to look 60 when I am 30 and that is what the sun does to your skin.
Instead of the tanning bed, I use self tanner. It does not look fake or orange b/c I don't put three layers on. I use it to give me a healthy glow.Then I slather on high SPF when I will be out in the sun as well as it is in my daily moisturizer. I have had more compliments on my skin since I stopped tanning then ever before.
I am not telling you that you shouldn't tan in a tanning bed if you would like to. I am just reminding you that tanning will age your skin more rapidly and the likelihood that you will get some type of skin cancer increases greatly from indoor and outdoor tanning without sunscreen.