How to Get a Good Indoor Tan

Co-authored by R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH

Last Updated: September 11, 2022 References Approved

Indoor tanning is a way to get a tan without outdoor sun exposure. Approximately 10 percent of Americans visit an indoor tanning facility each year, according to the Indoor Tanning Association. Indoor tanning equipment, such as tanning booths and beds, emit ultraviolet (UV) rays. The sun naturally emits 3 types of UV rays, which are UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. The UV-C rays are the shortest and don't act as tan promoter, reaching skin only superficially, while the UV-A rays are the longest, with lower power but can go deep into the skin and promote tan. To help protect your skin, tanning equipment only emits UV-A and UV-B rays. However, too much exposure to the ultraviolet rays, whether through indoor tanning equipment or naturally in the sun, can be harmful to your skin. Use these tips to get a good indoor tan and protect your skin.

Steps

1
Understand how indoor tanning beds work. The natural sun emits 95 percent UV-A and 5 percent UV-B rays at noon during the summer months.^{[1]
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Research source} Most indoor tanning beds also emit 95 percent UV-A and 5 percent UV-B rays, similar to the exposure of the summer sun.
- Comprehend how the indoor tanning equipment tans your skin. The skin's epidermis, or top layer, contains melanocytes, which are cells that produce melanin when stimulated with ultraviolet light. When you sit under a tanning bed or in a tanning booth, the lamps stimulate the melanocytes to produce melanin, which appears as a dark pigment on the epidermis. The melanin is produced by your body as a way to protect you from further sun exposure. The longer the exposure to the tanning equipment's UV rays, the more melanin that is stimulated.
2
Determine your skin type.^{[2]
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Research source} Most professionals at indoor tanning facilities can help you determine your skin type. Skin types range from Type 1, which is very light skin that burns immediately, to Type 5, which is dark skin that tans easily. Your skin type will help you determine how long and how frequently to tan indoors.

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3
Set a tanning schedule recommended for your skin type. Indoor tanning professionals will recommend a tanning schedule using incremental exposure times. These exposure times should be based on your skin type and will help your skin develop a tan gradually without burning. For most skin types, a few indoor tanning sessions will be required for your skin to oxidize the melanin and result in darker skin.
- Start slowly and gradually increase your indoor tanning exposure over time. Some indoor tanning facilities start all new customers off with 5-minute tanning sessions and gradually increase to 12-minute (or longer) sessions. Because indoor tanning lamps differ in UV strength and output, there is no formula for comparing indoor and outdoor exposure times. Consult the facility's staff to help you determine optimum exposure times.
- Wait at least 48 hours between tanning sessions to avoid skin damage. Daily UV exposure can cause skin damage. However, if you wait too long between indoor tanning sessions, your tan may start to fade. Most indoor tanning professionals recommend 3 indoor tanning sessions a week until a tan is developed, and then 2 each week after that to maintain the tan. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations prohibit more than 1 indoor tanning sessions in a single day.
- Avoid overexposure. You can tell if you have gotten too much UV exposure if your skin starts to sting while tanning. Stop tanning as soon as you feel any prickling or stinging sensations on your skin.
4
Prepare your skin for indoor tanning.
- Exfoliate your skin daily for 1 week before your first indoor tanning session.^{[3]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source} Using a body pouf with gentle soap, scrub the skin in a circular motion. You also may use a commercial exfoliating kit, available at most beauty outlets and drug stores. When you exfoliate, you are removing dead skin and creating a smooth surface for tanning.^{[4]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Academy of Dermatology
  Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
  Go to source}
- Apply an indoor tanning lotion. Lotions designed specifically for indoor tanning will maximize your tanning efforts. Apply the lotion in circular strokes all over your body for even coverage. Do not use outdoor tanning lotions, which can damage indoor tanning beds.
5
Determine what to wear during tanning. What garments you wear during tanning is personal preference. Some people prefer to wear bathing suits or undergarments, while others choose to wear no clothing. Check with the professionals at your tanning facility to determine if there are any clothing requirements for tanning bed use.
- Remove all jewelry before tanning. If you wear a watch or other jewelry, you will have white spots where the jewelry rested against your skin. For an even tan, remove all jewelry before indoor tanning.
- Remove eyeglasses and contact lenses prior to tanning. The heat generated from the tanning bed can damage contact and eyeglass lenses.^{[5]
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  Research source}
6
Protect your eyes from UV rays. The U.S. FDA requires eye protection while utilizing an indoor tanning device.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source} Most indoor tanning facilities provide eye protection free of charge, and all require that customers wear eye protection while tanning. Avoid looking at UV rays from the tanning equipment. Repeated exposure to indoor tanning UV rays could cause night blindness, retinal ulcers, and blindness.
7
Avoid cosmetics and perfumes while tanning. Many cosmetics and perfumes contain ingredients that make you sensitive to light. These photosensitive ingredients could result in rashes, blotching, burning sensations or uneven tanning. Wash off all cosmetics and perfumes before tanning.^{[7]
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8
Make small adjustments in your body position while you tan. Don't lay completely still in a tanning bed, but move your arms and legs slightly to maximize exposure to all parts of your body.
- Do not rest your chin against your chest while you are reclining. This will result in a white spot under your neck because your chin blocked the UV rays. For an even tan, lay your head back, allowing exposure to all parts of your face and neck.
9
Moisturize after an indoor tanning session. Skin that is moisturized will retain a tan longer than dry skin. Apply a body lotion immediately after each indoor tanning session, and moisturize after every shower or bath.
- Choose a lotion based on your skin type. Select a deep-penetrating lotion for dry skin and a lightweight lotion for normal to oily skin.
10
Avoid showering immediately after a tanning session. Wait for at least 3 or 4 hours after tanning to allow the skin's melanin to become fully stimulated.
11
Avoid items that can cause a tan to fade. Every 30 days, the skin sheds its epidermis, which means your tanned skin fades naturally every 30 days. Hot water, indoor heating, and harsh soaps increase the fading process.
- Keep a tan from fading by moisturizing the skin every day, using mild cleansing products, showering in warm water and increasing your daily water intake.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can you indoor tan with self-tanner on?

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. R. Sonia Batra is a board certified Dermatologist and the Founder of Batra Dermatology based in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Batra specializes in lasers, medical devices, patient and public medical education, and skin cancer research. She received her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree in Public Health, and her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees from Harvard University. As a Rhodes Scholar, she earned a Master’s degree in Molecular Genetics at the University of Oxford. She completed her residency training in Dermatology at Stanford University. Dr. Batra has contributed and reviewed for the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and JAMA Dermatology. She is also a co-host of CBS’ Emmy award-winning television show, The Doctors.

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Yes! Not only that, but it's always safer to use a self tanner than to go outside and to tan or to use a tanning bed.
Question

Should you wear your bra when you are tanning?

Community Answer

You can, though most people tan in the nude. It really just depends on whether or not you want those tan lines.
Question

If I'm tanning for the first time with light skin, how many minutes should I go for?

Community Answer

Start by going for 5 minutes or less, every few days. Then, after the first week or so, go up a few minutes. Gradually increase the amount of time each time you go after that.

Warnings

Always tan in moderation.

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Do not use indoor tanning devices if you are pregnant.

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If you never tan from the sun outdoors, you will not tan from indoor tanning devices. If you normally burn from outdoor sun exposure, exhibit extreme caution when using an indoor tanning device. Indoor tanning beds emit the same spectrum of UV rays as the sun.

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Medications increase your risk of UV overexposure.

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Do not use indoor tanning devices if you are taking photosensitizing medication. Check the labels on your medications to determine if they cause sensitivity to sun.^{[8]
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According to the FDA, overexposure to UV rays can cause melanoma, which is the most aggressive type of skin cancer.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health
Go to source} Approximately 8,000 people each year die from melanoma.^{[10]
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Research source}

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The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization, classifies indoor UV radiation tanning devices in the highest cancer risk category of "carcinogenic to humans." The IARC study found evidence that indoor tanning is associated with squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, ocular melanoma and DNA damage.^{[11]
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