Tanning Tips & F.A.Q.
How long should I wait between tanning sessions?
We recommend allowing at least 2 days in between tanning sessions, whenever the time allows. Although to build an awesome tan, keep up a routine! Allowing too much time between sessions will cause your colour to fade!
What is a High Pressure tanning bed?
It is a tanning system, whereby it is equipped with all High Pressure lamps. These lamps are approximately 3-4 inches in length and are behind a special square UV filtered glass (usually dark in colour or mirrored). With this specialized equipment, tanning is taken to its purest form. The burning rays (UVB) are dramatically reduced and the tanning rays (UVA) are tremendously optimized. This means that unlike “traditional” tube lamp systems, the burning rays are not there to chase you out before the tanning rays can do their job. This means, you will have a beautiful rich golden brown tan in JUST 3-4 visits. You will also only require 3-4 visits PER MONTH to maintain that tan.
This is because the “burning” rays in traditional systems and in natural sunlight do the following:
Burn you if you get too much.
Even in small amounts that won’t burn you, will dry out the skin and increase the exfoliation process and take away the tan.
Do not be fooled by uneducated salons telling you they have high pressure tanning equipment. If the tanning equipment has the traditional long tube lamps for your body tan, then they are NOT high pressure beds. Stop being lied to.
Are you sure I won’t burn?
One of the beautiful things about High Pressure Tanning Systems, is that the “burning rays” are at the barest minimum and the “tanning rays” are tremendously optimized. This means that the odds of overexposure are very low. We may still reduce the exposure time by a few minutes if you are extremely fair skinned or have not tanned in a long while. We do still recommend that you gradually expose parts of the body not normally exposed to sunlight.
Why does my tan last much longer?
The reason a tan from a High Pressure Tanning System lasts so long is that unlike natural sunlight, traditional tube lamp tanning beds or stand ups, a high pressure system does not DRY OUT the skin or INCREASE the exfoliation process. Therefore your skin will maintain it’s natural 28-days exfoliation cycle. With all other forms of traditional tanning (indoors or out) the “burning rays” even in small enough amounts that will not burn, will dry out the skin and increase the cycle of exfoliation from once every 28 days, to once every 5-10 days. This increased exfoliation will take the tan with it, requiring many more visits to maintain your tan. Those more visits would end up being 3-4 times more sessions vs. using a High Pressure tanning bed to achieve similar results. Now add the amount of lotion usage to tan that many extra more sessions, your gas and not to mention your time to frequent the salon that much more, all to achieve similar results from what a High Pressure bed can give you in as little as 3-4 visits. As an additional bonus, your skin will never seem dry or tight, but will always be soft and silky.
Why does my tan develop so fast in a High Pressure Tanning System?
Your skin is capable of absorbing a lot of “tanning rays”. The problem with traditional tanning beds is that the level of “burning rays” is much higher. So the burning rays chase you out of the bed or booth before the tanning rays can do their job. With our High Pressure Tanning Systems, the burning rays are much lower, and the tanning rays are optimized 3-4 times more than what is found in most traditional equipment. This results in a rich golden brown tan in just 3-4 visits.
If these beds are so great, why aren’t they everywhere?
These beds are a high-end investment at about $60,000 per room, very few salon owners care enough about their clients to provide them with this level of quality, or they just don’t believe that you want the best. Here at L.A. HEAT TANNING SALON, we have been setting a new standard for customer service and excellence since 2001.
High pressure VS. Regular bulbs
Do not be fooled by uneducated salons telling you they have high pressure tanning equipment. If the tanning equipment has the traditional long tube lamps for your body tan, then they are NOT high pressure beds. Stop being lied to.
The difference between high pressure beds and regular/low pressure beds is the amount of UVA/UVB. Regular pressure beds emit more UVB, which is the ray that stimulates melanin production and causes sunburn. High Pressure beds emit very little UVB, so you can tan longer without burning. We also offer hybrid units which provide a mixture of high pressure bulbs aswell as traditional tube lights.
The reason not everyone uses High Pressure beds is because of the lack of UVB. Many people tan in order to help prevent burns outdoors (a tan is your skin's natural sunscreen). And the base/regular/low pressure beds help build your tolerance to UVB.
But, there are other reasons people continue to use low pressure beds. Tanning is relaxing - like a mini vacation during the day. They use the lower beds because they want to tan more often.
Do Tanning Lotions expire?
Yes! Similar to makeup and other cosmetics, you can find the expiration date on the back of your bottle! The expiry date looks like an open jar w/lid and will show the expiry date in terms of months after opening (18M, 24M, Etc;) You can find the expiry date on the back of your lotion, listed below the ingredient/manufacturing list.
Impoartance of protective eyewear
The main reason we ask you if you have a set of goggles when entering our tanning salon is for the safety of your eyes. These goggles protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays. These ultraviolet rays are the same as the UVA and UVB rays from the sun, which are dangerous. Your eyelids alone won't protect your eyes from the rays.
Avoiding tan lines in any bed
Lying or standing in one position in any tanning bed can cause uneven tan lines. Start on your back, then rotate to one side, then your front, then the other side. If you do not feel comfortable lying on your side in a small tanning bed, raise your arms above your head. Always remember to exfoliate a few days before a tanning session.
How long does it take to notice results
Generally, you will begin to notice results after a few tanning sessions, but it may take several weeks of regular tanning (about three times a week) to acquire a good tan. Results will differ person to person, due to different skin tones, different lotions, and beds selected. If you are developing a base tan before going on a winter vacation, please start tanning two to three weeks before you are scheduled to leave.
Getting even colour
As with most things, starting with a clean slate is a smart idea for getting a clean, fresh, beautiful look. Take a shower and exfoliate the dead skin from your body. This enables you to get an even, clean tan, and it helps it last longer, too!
Do I need to wear tanning lotion?
THE ANSWER IS YES!
This is not a sales-pitch. When you go to the beach, do you lay out with no sunscreen, oil or lotion on? NO. Because you get darker when your skin is moisturized. It is 100 times more important to wear tanning lotion when tanning indoors. It is harmful for your skin to lay without wearing an indoor tanning lotion. Sunless tanning products and tanning lotions are especially formulated to help you acquire superbly tanned skin while offering protection against the adverse effects of the sun.
Contrary to the popular misconception that indoor and sunless tanning products are just money-making scams, these products do offer benefits that are more than just cosmetic. In fact, these indoor and sunless tanning products offer you good value for money by allowing you to tan while still maintaining a healthy and younger looking skin and by maximizing your indoor tanning efforts.
Understanding your skin
Know your skin.
Before tanning, make sure you know your skin type. Think about how your skin has reacted to sun in the past and listen to it so you don’t burn! Those with lighter hair and eyes most likely burn easily. Start with a small amount of tanning time and slowly work up to more.
Keeping the best colour long term
If you plan on tanning long term, the best way to keep a nice bronze glow is going between 20-30 Minutes a week! Upkeep is the most important thing for a natural glow!
Tanning Lotions Explained
BRONZERS
Bronzers are often added to tanning products to enhance and darken the tan, blend unevenly tanned areas, and enrich the tone (color) of the tan.
Many moisturizers now contain bronzers. Today's bronzers work to give you a "HEALTHY GLOW" when used daily. Streaking is virtually unheard of because the effects are gradual. This concept is extremely popular. These are effective for people who tan indoors, outdoors, or don't get any UV exposure at all.
How the bronzers work varies by brand depending on the ingredients used. Generally, they are temporary, but regular use will promote a healthy tan color with less (or no) exposure. We offer a variety of tanning formulas so you can choose the type that best suits your skin. The more bronzers in the product, the longer your tan will last.
Which is best for you depends on your tanning goals, although we generally recommend a bronzer. You are less likely to get any streaks, and the better skin care is a plus.
BRONZER with SELF TANNERS
Self tanning lotions are similar to bronzers EXCEPT they are stronger, and designed to use less frequently. Typically once per week or two. The advantage of a self tanning lotion is that it works very quickly and requires less maintenance. The advantages of a bronzer with self tanner is that it is almost impossible to get streaks and the added moisturizers enhance your skin and leave it feeling much more supple because you use it daily, just as you would a regular moisturizer.
INTENSIFIER/ACCELERATOR
An intensifier/accelerator lotion has ingredients that will hydrate and tan your skin. There are zero bronzers in this type of lotion. It has ingredients that work with the melanin in your skin. You will only see the color that your melanin produces. The lotion is white so it doesn’t have bronzers to darken your tan while your tan develops naturally.
COOLANT
Lotions with coolants are the opposite of tingles. Coolants give you a cooling sensation and feels refreshing. They also cool you down faster after a tanning session. Our coolants have exhilarating cooling agents that refresh and soothe the skin for a wondrous tanning experience.
TINGLE
Tingle lotions contain ingredients which cause micro-circulation. Micro-circulation brings blood to the surface of the skin. When the oxygen in your blood rises to the surface of the skin, the UV light can reach it much more easily. This process will deepen your tan to a new level.
When using a tingle lotion, you may experience any or all of the following that may last approximately one hour, although these effects may last longer based on your skin type:
Mild to intense tingling of the skin
Slight to intense reddening of the skin
Mild to intense heat on the surface of the skin.
You should NEVER use a tingle lotion on your face. The skin is much too thin and this could result in the popping of a capillary. If you want to lessen the tingle feeling of the lotion, mix it with an accelerator or bronzer. You will have an amazingly dark tan because it will push you beyond your tanning plateau. Make sure you wash your hands after applying it.