tan tips

  • There are two types of ultraviolet light rays -- UVA and UVB. Different indoor tanning units use different combinations of these two tanning rays. Whatever the combination, your exposure times are regulated by the federal government to minimize your risk of sunburn or overexposure

    Smart tanning involves following the exposure schedule designed for your skin type and avoiding sunburn by tanning gradually.
    Certain skin types cannot tan, but anybody can get a beautiful golden-tan look with our UV - Free tanning system process. Our tanning professionals can help you determine the type of tanning best suited to your skin type. The six basic skin types are shown below:
    Skin type 1: Always burns, never tans
    Skin type 2: Burns easily, tans slightly
    Skin type 3: Sometimes burns, tans gradually
    Skin type 4: Burns minimally, always tans well
    Skin type 5: Burns rarely, tans deeply
    Skin type 6: Almost never burns, deeply pigmented

    By controlling the type and amount of UV light you receive in your bed, there is no doubt that this is the best, smartest place to acquire a tan. However, there are some precautions you should take to maximize your enjoyment of your tanning bed. 

    Protect your eyes. Simply closing them or wearing outdoor sunglasses while you tan is not adequate protection against possible long-term eye injury. Wearing the FDA-compliant eye protection available at this site can eliminate that risk.

    Protect your lips. They do not produce melanin and will burn easily unless you protect them with lip balms or sunscreen.

    If you plan to tan in the nude, cover previously unexposed areas for the majority of your tanning session for the first few sessions. Gradually increase exposure to these areas, giving the skin time to build melanin production.

    If you are taking any medications, please check with your doctor or pharmacist. Some medications can cause reactions with UV light.

    Moisturize your skin. The heat and light from tanning sessions can dry your skin. Because moist skin tans best, we recommend you moisturize before and after each tanning session to get the most out of each session. 

    Indoor tanning lotions are necessary to your tanning regimen in order to maximize results and advocate responsible tanning.  You must recognize the importance of lotion and the reasons why it is so beneficial to the tanning process.

    REASONS FOR LOTION:
    *  Clean, moist skin tans better
    *  Lotions offer better magnification to maximize results
    * Moisturized skin absorbs UV light; dry skin reflects it
    *  Can achieve up to 70% better results tanning with a lotion than without
    *  Indoor tanning can be dehydrating to the skin; lotions will help replenish any moisturization that has been depleted during the tanning session

    COMMON Q&A's:
    Q. How old do I have to be to tan?
    Anyone under the age of 18 has to have a parent /guardian signature on file.

    Q. What should I wear in the tanning bed?
    Since each tanning bed is in a private room, you can wear (or not wear) whatever you are most comfortable in.

    Q. Do I have to wear eye protection? 
    Yes, it is required by law in most states because eyelids are not thick enough to protect your eyes from UV damage. UltraTan provides FDA-approved eyewear at no charge in each tanning room. 

    Q. Why are lotions necessary?
    Tanning without a lotion will deplete your skin of its much needed moisture. Lotions can help stimulate the production of melanin so that your skin tans more quickly, gets darker and keeps its tan longer. Plus, our lotions have moisturizers that keep your skin soft and healthy. Our premium lotions deliver vitamins, moisturizers, oils, and other ingredients to revitalize the skin and encourage melanin production, which gives you a tan appearance.

    Q. Why is moisturized skin important for a tan?
    Healthy, moist skin will tan quicker, get darker and keep its tanned appearance longer because the melanin is produced rapidly and the skin also will not exfoliate as quickly when it is properly moisturized.

    Q. I don't tan outdoors. Will I be able to tan in a bed?
    If you can't get color from the sun, you can't get color in an UV bed. However,  UV - Free tanning system can give you a natural looking tan without any UV exposure at all.

    Q. Do I need an appointment to tan? 
    No appointments are required at UltraTan. Since our tanning facilities have more beds than the average tanning salon, you should be able to get a bed whenever you want with minimal or no waiting time. 

    Q. Do I have to sign a contract? 
    We offer a no-hassle monthly membership with no contracts required.

    Q. I'm pregnant. Is it safe for me to tan? 
    We recommend you ask your health professional.

    Q. How do I know the beds are clean? 
    We use FDA-approved cleaning solutions after every customer's tanning session.  The solution is tested daily to ensure proper sanitizing properties exist. 

    Q. How often do you change the bulbs in each bed? 
    We follow the manufacturer's guidelines for bulb replacement so that you will achieve the best results from your sessions. We typically change our bulbs when they have reached 80% of their capacity so your tan doesn't suffer from weaker UV rays.