Our teams at Caribbean Beach Tanning are smart tan certified. This means we have researched and learned about tanning, and are knowledgeable about how to keep you safe and help you achieve a great tan! Please feel free to call or stop in with any questions you may have that are not covered here. We would love to help!
Questions about Tanning
Why should I tan?
What do I wear while I am tanning?
What do indoor tanning lotions do?
Can I use outdoor oils or lotions when tanning indoors?
How do I make my tan last?
How often can I tan?
Is tanning harmful to a tattoo?
How old do I have to be to tan?
Why do I need to use protective eyewear?
Can I tan if I am pregnant?
Do medications affect my tan?
I have been tanning, but I’m not getting any darker. Now what?
How do I get my tan even without lines or spots that have not tanned?
Why should I tan?
Many people tan indoors to prepare their skin for vacation sunlight. A base tan helps to prevent accidental sunburn naturally. Living in a Northern Climate we don’t see the sunlight for most of the year so full body exposure to UV light is a great source of Vitamin D. www.vitamindcouncil.org
What do I wear while I am tanning?
In the privacy of an indoor tanning room, most people choose to tan nude in order to prevent tan lines. Remember, skin that is not regularly exposed to UV light will be more sensitive, and you may need to build a tan slowly in these areas of your body. Expose these areas to less than half the tanning time of the rest of your body by covering them up during your tanning session.
Some people choose to wear the swimsuit they would wear at the beach. This is fine too, but make sure the sure is free of any metal that could scratch your skin or the bed.
Wearing the provided festive stickers will show you how tan you get! We strongly encourage all tanners to use stickers to be sure you are getting color.
What do indoor tanning lotions do?
Moisturized skin tans better, more quickly, and more evenly! Indoor tanning lotions containing accelerators and/or bronzers help you to get the most out of each tanning session by boosting your tan and preparing your skin each time. If you are looking to jumpstart your tan, try an accelerator. Whereas bronzers give you a little boost of color to help you achieve your results even faster! There are many different lotions available for you to use! Talk to one of our certified tanning specialists, the experts, to find the perfect lotion for you.
Can I use outdoor oils or lotions when tanning indoors?
No. Outdoor tanning oils or lotions usually contain a SPF ingredient that will inhibit your tan. They also contain ingredients that will cause a film on the acrylic while you tan, blocking rays from getting to your skin. There is no need for an SPF while indoor tanning because it is a controlled environment. Your tanning professionals will assist you with setting the right tanning times to prevent over exposure.
How do I make my tan last?
Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! Use a high quality moisturizer made for post-tanning to keep skin supple and soft. Your skin is always rejuvenating itself by shedding old top layer skin to expose new skin underneath. Dry skin sheds faster and takes your tan with it. Dry skin also reflects light rather than absorbing, which not only hinders your tanning process, but makes you look less tan than you are!
How often can I tan?
Tanning salons in Minnesota are currently not regulated; however, Caribbean Beach Tanning Salons only allow you to tan once per day and highly recommend a 24-hour period before you tan again (if there is no redness from the prior tan).
Is tanning harmful to a tattoo?
Frequent tanning may cause a tattoo to fade, and we recommend covering completely a newly applied tattoo for the first 2-3 months after getting it. After that you can use a SPF 30 or higher on the area to shield it from the UV exposure and prevent any fading.
How old do I have to be to tan?
According to the Minnesota Statutes 2012, 325H.05, you must be 18 years of age or older to tan without the consent of a parent/guardian. Anyone under 18 must have their parent/guardian present with them to sign the release form for the first time they tan and are ONLY allowed to use the Spray Tan.
Why do I need to use protective eyewear?
The area around your eyes does not tan and needs complete protection from the UV exposure you get. Exposed eyes can lead to cataracts, bad night vision, loss of color perception, macular degeneration, and pterygium (tissue buildup caused by frequent irritation of the outer eye tissue). You MUST wear federally approved eyewear, obtainable at the salon, every time you tan! We even have a one time use disposable pair for if you forget to bring yours!
Can I tan if I am pregnant?
You must consult your physician regarding tanning while pregnant. There is no danger from UV exposure (it does not penetrate past the surface of your skin); however pregnant women are advised to be careful with the use of saunas, hot tubs and other activities that can cause excessive heat to build up in the uterus. It may be better to tan in the units that are the coolest and have not been used frequently before you.
Do medications affect my tan?
Some photosensitizing medications can cause you to become less tolerant of UV exposure, greatly increasing your risk of burning. Many medications warn of any indoor or outdoor tanning when you use them. Please consult your doctor any time you are starting a new medication, asking him about it photosensitive side effects.
I have been tanning, but I’m not getting any darker. Now what?
You may have reached a tanning plateau. Everyone has a limit to how dark they can get, but to try to get past your current color we recommend switching the types of beds you use every few tanning sessions. The higher UVB exposure available in an Islander or Bahama Breeze level bed may be needed for someone who always tans in a Paradise Level bed, to get their skin to actively produce more melanin (UVB is the ray that does this). The reverse may be true for someone who is always tanning in Islander or Bahama Breeze Levels. They may need the extra boost of bronzing that will be obtained from visiting a Paradise level bed. Changing your lotion is also recommended – try a bronzer or switch to an accelerator.
Caribbean Beach Tanning Salon has many different bed types available for you to achieve your best tan. Talk to your certified tanning specialist today for advice on reaching that next level!
How do I get my tan even without lines or white areas?
Sometimes you may need to use a different bed to stay even and without lines. We offer a standup option in the Bahama Breeze level that will allow you to tan some trouble spots (underarms, shoulders, etc) more evenly.
We also recommend using different equipment (even lay down) occasionally to stay even. If you enjoy relaxing in the lay-downs, try tanning with your arms above your head to even out the underarm whiteness that can appear.
Log on to www.tanningtruth.com, www.smarttan.com, www.vitamindcouncil.org for more in-depth information on the health benefits and myths about indoor tanning.
