Did you know…

How can I keep my tan?
After achieving your tan, you should be able to maintain your color with just one to two sessions per week.

How often should I tan?
Although you are allowed to tan once every 24 hours, experts recommend that you wait between 48 to 72 hours between tanning sessions. Just like when a person is weight training, they exercise the muscle groups every other day, avoiding the possibility of over working the muscles. Waiting at least 48 hours between tanning sessions lessens the potential for over-exposure and allows your body to produce your tan gradually.

Why do I have to follow the recommended exposure schedule?
By adhering to the schedule your tan should develop gradually without the adverse effects associated with overexposure. Abusing the schedule by tanning for periods longer than recommended or attempting to accelerate the schedule, may result in negative effects. This in turn can actually limit or prevent the tanning process.

Why doesn’t my skin tan the same all over?
The insides of the arms and legs do not tan as readily because they contain fewer pigment forming cells than the skin on the rest of your body. The face does not tan as readily because it has a naturally thickened horny layer. Freckles contain higher amounts of pigment and therefore become darker much more quickly than other areas of the skin. Areas of the skin that are subject to contact pressure points, such as the shoulder blades, are poorly supplied with blood and oxygen. This may reduce or limit the tanning process on these parts of the body.

Can I tan indoors and sunbathe outdoors on the same day?
This should be avoided. Overexposure to ultraviolet light in any form can lead to sunburn.

Can I tan indoors while I am pregnant?
If you do not have to avoid natural sunlight while pregnant, you may also be able to tan indoors. However, it is always advisable to consult with your physician before doing so. Other factors related to the physical nature of the actual tanning session, such as body positioning, etc., may influence your decision.

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Follow the recommended exposure schedule for your skin type. It should be listed on the front of the tanning unit. A TAN ESSENTIAL certified tanning consultant will advise you on proper tanning procedure.

Protect your eyes. Keep your eyes closed and always wear compliant, protective eyewear when using any indoor tanning system. Contact lenses should be removed prior to tanning
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Protect your lips. They do not produce melanin and will burn easily unless you protect them with lip balms and sunscreens.

If you are taking medications, please be aware that certain medications may be photosensitive. That is, they may cause an adverse reaction when the body is exposed to UV light. A list, which identifies many photosensitive medications, foods and ingredients, is available at TAN ESSENTIAL. Always consult your physician if you have any questions or concerns.

Before tanning, be sure to remove any make-up or skin care products from your skin and take off all jewelry. Some lotions, sunscreens or other products that are not designed for use in conjunction with an indoor tanning system, may limit your tanning potential. Using moisturizing lotions, etc., designed specifically for use with an indoor tanning system, will maximize your tanning experience.

Before and after tanning use skincare products to keep an attractive tan looking good longer. Quality indoor tanning products are particularly suitable for this type of skin care because they are tailored to the specific needs of the indoor tanner. Ask a TAN ESSENTIAL certified tanning consultant for details.

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