The Entire Process
Now that you’re ready to go tanning indoors equipped with your favorite or recently purchased indoor tanning lotion, how do you get started? It could be as simple as just applying and tanning, but by being fully prepared, you can get the most out of the time and money you’re spending. Taking the right steps to prepare for your tanning sessions will get you an even and beautiful color. And tanning doesn’t stop when you step out of the tanning bed. Taking care of yourself after tanning means you can feel confident that you’re preserving both your color and health.
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Prepare
Your preparations for tanning should start at home before you head to the tanning salon. You should be well washed and exfoliated before you go tanning. Some people recommend you should give yourself a good scrub daily for at least a week before you start tanning. This makes sure that you have a fresh layer of skin all over to get a nice even tan.
Getting a good exfoliation is so important that you should use everything at your disposal to keep your skin primed for the best tan possible. Use an exfoliating glove or loofah with exfoliating cleanser. For hard to reach spots, try a body brush or an exfoliating towel. Pay special attention to spots like your knees, elbows, feet, and hands. For really dry and calloused spots, a pumice stone will do the trick.
Following your shower or bath right before you go tanning, avoid using any perfumes or cosmetics before tanning. They can make your skin more vulnerable to UV exposure, causing breakouts or irritation.
Image from Miami Glow Tanning
In addition to perfumes and cosmetics, also avoid using other lotions aside from your tanning lotion after the shower. Lotions and even using oil-based washes in the shower can keep your tanning lotion from taking hold on your skin.
Before you head tanning, also check that you have any accessories you’ll need for tanning. This includes things like nail savers or hair caps to protect your manicure or hair from UV rays. Always bring eye protection as well to prevent any damage to your eyes.
And if you’re using lotions with bronzers in them, it’s good to have a spare towel on hand to wipe off any excess lotion after you apply it. On a similar note, wear comfortable clothing you’re okay with getting possibly colored by bronzer when you go tanning, too.
Apply
To get your tanning lotion on evenly, use circular motions to spread it all over your body. Use circular motions in both directions to make sure you’re not missing any spots across your body’s curves. You can also use an applicator to get hard to reach spots on your back.
Use a towel to remove any extra lotion that gets in between your fingers after applying. If you’re using a bronzer, give your elbows and knees a small wipe because they tend to get darker easily. Don’t forget to also wipe off any bronzing or sunless tanning lotions off of the palms of your hands. Tanned palms are not natural and very easy to spot.
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Tan
Now that you’re ready, get into the tanning bed! Move and switch positions occasionally. The keep point is to not put pressure on any one part of your body for too long. If you’re always lying still and have the same points on your shoulders, waist, and arms touching the tanning bed, those areas will not tan evenly. Don’t forget about your armpits, too! Not only are white armpits are dead giveaway that you’ve been tanning indoors, it looks extremely unnatural.
Post-Care
Once you’re done tanning, the key thing to keep in mind is to not wash off your lotions immediately. Give yourself anywhere from 2-4 hours to let the bronzers or any tanning enhancers to work their magic. It’s even a good idea to moisturize and put on some regular body lotion throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated. UV rays can dry out and age your skin, so it’s important to do everything you can to keep your skin healthy.
Now You’re Ready!
It might seem like this was a lot of information to just go tanning, but here’s an easy list for you to review everything you need to know:
- Prepare – Exfoliate and bring any accessories you’ll need
- Apply – Be sure to apply evenly and remove any excess lotion
- Tan – Move around and expose all of your body to get an even tan
- Post-Care – Stay moisturized and leave your tanning lotions on for at least 2 hours
All of these steps aren’t meant to be overwhelming. Each step and piece of knowledge empowers you to know that you’re doing your best to get the most of out of each tanning session so you can look your best. As you keep tanning, you might find that preparing becomes second nature and part of an enjoyable ritual to develop your tan. Happy tanning!
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