FAQ's About Indoor Tanning

This page is designed to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about indoor tanning.

1.  How can I learn to apply sunless tan products?

Don't skimp on the product. With your average sunless tanning lotion, you will need one to two ounces for a full body application.  Do not apply sunless tanners in an up and down motion. It is especially easy to make a mistake on the legs. Use an overlapping circular motion. Go around your leg, not up and down it.  Also do not swim, bathe, exercise, or apply any lotions to your skin for three hours after applying the sunless tanner.

2.  Does sunless tanning stain body hair?

Sunless tanning lotions and sprays do not penetrate the hair follicles.

3.  Can you get odourless sunless tanners?

Sunless tan products do have an odour due to the nature of the product, however some of the best products are almost odourless.

4.  What chemicals make up sunless tanners?

Most self tanners contain the bronzing ingredient dihydroxyacetone or DHA. DHA is a colourless sugar that interacts with the dead skin cells located in the stratum corneum of the epidermis. When the sugar interacts with dead skin cells a colour change occurs. This change in colour usually lasts for around 5 to 7 days.

5.  How do I get rid of a sunless tan?

Your sunless tan will fade on its own but there are a few measures you can take to speed up the process.  Massaging dry baking soda onto damp skin in the shower is an effective method of removing dead skin cells.  A long soak in the bath or a swimmimg session will also help the colour to fade.  There are some self tan removal products that you can buy.  They tend to be designed to remove the stains left on your hands after applying indoor tanning lotion.

6.  Is indoor tanning safe while pregnant?

Although indoor tanning products are generally thought to be safe it is probably best to avoid their use during the first trimester of pregnancy.  If you really cannot go without it may be best to consult your doctor first.

7.  Are the low cost indoor tanning products any good?

All indoor tanning products use the same active ingredients so it is well worth trying out the low cost options.  They may not smell quite as good as their more expensive rivals but the cheaper store own brands can be quite effective.

8. What is a high pressure tanning bed?

High pressure tanning beds use quartz lamps, the pressure of the gasses inside these lamps is slightly above atmospheric pressure. These tanning beds produce less UVB rays and heat so are considered to be safer than standard beds. However UVA rays are still produced which do damage the skin so you should take the usual precautions when using a high pressure tanning bed.

9. Why do tans fade?

Your skin takes a lot of wear and tear, so it naturally regenerates itself. Every month the epidermis, the outer layer of the skin, gets replaced. Skin pigment is located in this upper layer so any natural or added pigment will fade away in around a month. This explains why natural tans fade away and why most sunless tanning products recommend regular applications.

10. What does SPF stand for?

The SPF rating that you find on your lotion bottles stands for "Sun Protection Factor". It is the standard way of rating a sunscreen's effectiveness in protecting the skin. The actual SPF value denotes the amount of time a person can stay out in UV light without burning, when a sunscreen is applied compared to when it is not. For example, using a product with an SPF of 15 means you can be exposed for 15 times longer without becoming burnt.

11. How long should I wait after a spray tanning session before I can shower?

In order to give the DHA enough time to fully set it is recommend that you wait at least 4 hours after your spray tanning session before you take a shower. If you shower sooner it can reduce the intensity of the tan.

12. Does going swimming effect my spray tan?

If you go swimming in chlorinated water it can fade the results of a spray tan. It can also lead to possible streaking and will reduce the length of your tan.  Carrying out normal activities though such as bathing, showering or physical exercise should not affect the length and quality of the tan.