Smart Tanning Tips

By Author: Brittany Jackson
Total Articles: 8
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1. Tan... don't sunburn
2. Wear eye protection
3. Use professional indoor tanning lotion for best results

Facts on Smart Tanning... Educating, Not Burning
Tanning is a natural process. Your body is designed to produce melanin, which darkens the skin. A tan is your body's natural way of protecting you from sunburn; for most people a base tan can be equivalent to an SPF 4, meaning you can be exposed to UV light 4 times longer than without a base tan. It's what your body is designed to do. Sunburns are a totally different process. Sunburn is an injury to the skin; the red colour is actually increased blood flow, which is sent to the skins surface to help your body repair the damage done by overexposure to ultraviolet light. If you sunburn, this actually slows down the tanning process as your skin now has to repair itself before tanning. Think of it like this... Imagine pouring a glass of water and it overflows. Now you have to clean up that spill before taking a drink of your water. You must be patient while building up a base tan as this process takes time. It doesn't happen in just one session. It can ...
... take a couple of weeks to build a good base tan. Your skin type also plays an important role on how your skin can tan. Everything in moderation is smart tanning. Never sunburn!

Smart Tanning Means Wearing Protective Eye Wear
Your eyes do not tan. Eye damage may occur without the proper use of FDA approved eye protection. Make sure that your eye wear creates a light-tight seal around your eyes. By tanning without your eye wear you increase your risk of cataracts, loss of night vision, loss of distinction between colours and even increase your vision loss. UV light penetrates about 2-3 mm into your skin and your eyelids are not this thick so just closing your eyes or putting a towel over your face is just not enough. Be wise and protect your eyes.

Indoor Tanning Lotion Are Key to Smart Tanning
Professional tanning lotions are scientifically designed to increase your tanning results. You will tan faster, tan darker and maintain your tan longer. Tanning lotions help increase the penetration of UV light that may be reflected off because dry skin reflects light. You can increase your tanning results from 30-50% depending on your skin type and condition of your skin. Don't tan dry; find the right products that suits your goals and your budget. Do not use regular sunscreen or outdoor tanning lotions. It can affect your tan and can also damage the tanning equipment.

Remember, smart tanning is sunburn prevention – not sun avoidance – is the best way to prevent permanent skin damage. There are other lifestyle factors that greatly affect the health of your skin. A high fat diet can increase your risk for skin cancer as much as 90%. Smoking cigarettes can increase your skin cancer risk up to 50%. Excessive overexposure to both UVA and UVB may be related to non-melanoma skin cancers. Smart tanning and sunburn prevention is the key.

For more information about smart tanning and indoor tanning salons, please visit the author, Brittany Jackson's website.