Preparing For An In-Salon Tan

Whether you’re visiting the tanning salon for the first time or you’ve had a professional tan before, there are a few things you should know to ensure your tan looks perfect after application. Tanning is a great way to make sure you stand out in a wonderful way when you’re preparing for a special occasion like a wedding or want to look your best during your summer vacation.  It’s important to choose the right sunbed and skincare products for your tans so you can achieve a slight tan or a more intense look to fit your preference.

First, you should know about your skin type and the possible reactions that can occur when the tanning solution is applied. If you have fair skin and freckles, there’s a good chance that your skin either doesn’t tan at all, or tans very little, but you could burn easily and peel after being exposed to the sun for too long. This could also be the case if you have fair skin and red or blonde hair.

If you burn moderately and can get an average tan, you usually have white skin that isn’t especially pale. If you have light brown skin and dark hair and are of Hispanic, Asian or Mediterranean descent, you’ll have minimal burning if you get a natural suntan. Brown-skinned people such as East Indians and Hispanics rarely burn when tanning and will achieve a noticeable glow even after a few minutes in the sun or a tanning bed. Black people, which includes Africans and African Americans, as well as South Indian Aborigines tan easily and rarely burn. Depending on the melanin content in your skin, your body may be more or less receptive to tanning. The more melanin you have, the easier it is for your skin to tan without burning or peeling.

Before your tanning appointment, you have to prep your skin. Take a shower and exfoliate the skin the day before your session. Exfoliating will prep the skin to take in the tanning solution evenly. If you don’t have time to do a deep exfoliation, you can use a bath brush or loofah in the shower. Immediately after you get out of the shower, apply an oil-free moisturizer to your skin.

You should also look at any prescription medications you’re taking to see if your skin will become especially sensitive when exposed to UV rays. This will let you know whether tanning is safe for you and if you should protect your skin with sunscreen that has a higher SPF after tanning.

Before you get into the tanning booth, apply a lip balm that has SPF protection. This keeps your lips from cracking and peeling while tanning. You can also check with the salon to see if lip balm is available. Be sure to remove your jewelry and makeup, and don’t wear any essential oils or perfumes to ensure thorough and even application of your tan.

Remember to let the solution dry for a few hours before showering again to give the solution a chance to set. Once you can easily get in and out of clothing without smearing the solution, you can wear your new, beautiful tan with ease.