If you have fair skin, you may have wondered if tanning bed is a good option for you. You may have heard that tanning bed before and after can give you a quick and easy tan, but you may also be worried about the risks of burning, aging, or damaging your skin. How can you choose the right tanning bed for your skin type and get the best results possible? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will also share some tips and tricks for fair-skinned tanners who want to use tanning bed safely and effectively.
What is Tanning Bed?
Tanning bed is a device that emits artificial ultraviolet (UV) rays to stimulate the production of melanin in your skin. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin its color and protects it from the sun’s UV rays. By exposing your fair skin tanning bed before and after, you can increase your melanin level and get a darker tan.
There are two types of tanning bed: low-pressure and high-pressure. Low-pressure tanning bed uses mostly UVB rays, which are responsible for burning and reddening your skin. High-pressure tanning bed uses mostly UVA rays, which are responsible for aging and wrinkling your skin. Both types of tanning bed can cause skin cancer if used excessively or improperly.
How to Choose the Right Tanning Bed for Your Skin Type?
The first step to choosing the right tanning bed for your skin type is to determine your skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. You can do this by using the Fitzpatrick scale, which classifies skin types into six categories based on their color, hair color, eye color, and reaction to sun exposure.
The categories are:
Type I: Very fair skin, always burns, never tans
Type II: Fair skin, usually burns, sometimes tans
Type III: Medium skin, sometimes burns, always tans
Type IV: Olive skin, rarely burns, always tans
Type V: Brown skin, very rarely burns, always tans
Type VI: Black skin, never burns, always tans
If you have fair skin, then to get a tan with fair skin you are likely to be in the type I or II category. This means that your skin is very sensitive to UV rays and prone to burning. You should avoid low-pressure tanning bed as much as possible, as it can cause severe sunburns and increase your risk of skin cancer. You should also limit your exposure time and frequency in high-pressure tanning bed, as it can cause premature aging and wrinkling of your skin.
How to get a tan with fair skin? Use a hybrid or combination tanning bed, which uses both low-pressure and high-pressure lamps in different proportions. This way, you can get a balanced exposure to both UVB and UVA rays, which can help you achieve a natural-looking tan without burning or aging your skin too much. You can also use a bronzing or red-light therapy tanning bed, which uses less UV rays and more visible light to stimulate blood circulation and collagen production in your skin. This can help you get a healthy glow and improve your skin’s texture and elasticity.
Tips and Tricks for Fair-Skinned Tanners
Once you have chosen the right tanning bed for your skin type, you should follow some tips and tricks to get the best results possible.
Here are some of them:
1. Before going to the tanning salon, exfoliate your skin with a gentle scrub or a loofah to remove any dead skin cells and dirt that may interfere with the tan.
2. Apply a moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher on your face and other sensitive areas before entering the tanning bed. This will protect your skin from burning and drying out.
3. Wear protective eyewear such as goggles or sunglasses while in the tanning bed. This will prevent eye damage from the UV rays.
4. Start with short exposure times of 5 to 10 minutes per session and gradually increase them as your skin adapts. Do not exceed more than 20 minutes per session or more than three sessions per week.
5. Apply a moisturizer with aloe vera or vitamin E after each session to hydrate and soothe your skin.
6. Avoid showering, swimming, or sweating for at least 4 hours after each session to allow the tan to develop fully.
7. Use a tan extender lotion or spray every day to maintain and prolong your tan.
8. Avoid sun exposure for at least 24 hours after each session to prevent sunburns or over-tanning.
Conclusion
Tanning bed can be a great way to get a tan if you have fair skin, but you should be careful about choosing the right type of tanning bed for your skin type and following the proper safety precautions. By doing so, you can enjoy a beautiful tan without harming your skin. Happy tanning!
