What To Do After Going In A Tanning Bed To Take Care Of Your Skin
Tanning using a tanning bed still exposes your skin to harmful UV rays.
Whether you are tanning outside or using a tanning bed, you do need to take care of your skin to stop it from becoming dry and sunburnt and to give yourself a gorgeous, long-lasting tan.
What should you do after going into a tanning bed to take care of your skin?
Taking care of your skin after spending time in a tanning bed is vital. To do this, you should stay hydrated, moisturize your skin, avoid showering for a day, and use a special tanning lotion.
Another recommended tip is to enjoy dark chocolate to add extra antioxidants to your diet!
Without caring for your skin after spending time in a tanning bed, your tan will likely not be as even and glowing as you want it to be, and it could lead to dry and peeling skin.
How To Care For Your Skin After A Tanning Bed Session
There is quite a bit that goes into caring for your skin after a session in a tanning bed.
Here are the most important things to do to ensure your skin recovers quickly after a tan and that your tan looks as beautiful and natural as possible!
Drink Enough Water
It is important to stay hydrated after spending time in a tanning bed. Drink enough water to prevent lightheadedness and dryness.
The UV lights in the sunbed can cause your skin to become dry, and you need to replenish the moisture in your body by staying hydrated.
You can do this immediately after spending time in the tanning bed by bringing a bottle of water along to the tanning session with you.
Make a habit of keeping a bottle of water close by after the tanning session, too, and make a conscious effort to finish a good few bottles of water that day and the next to stay hydrated.
Keep Skin Moisturized
Skin dries out when exposed to UV rays in a tanning bed, so in addition to drinking water, you need to replenish your skin’s hydration using a good moisturizer.
Just like bringing a bottle of water to the tanning salon, you should pack a moisturizer to apply after your tanning session.
Choosing one with tea-tree oil or aloe vera can soothe your skin, reducing redness and inflammation.
Continue to moisturize your skin twice a day after your tan to keep it nourished and hydrated.
Hydrated skin holds onto a tan better, so this also ensures that your tan lasts longer.
To properly lock in moisture, you can apply the moisturizer after a bath or shower.
Avoid Showering
You should avoid getting into the shower or a bath for a few hours after your tan, and it is even better if you wait a day.
This helps the oils in your skin regenerate and nourish your skin again.
You might feel sweaty and sticky after the tanning bed session, but it is important to wait at least four or five hours before washing off.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Your skin takes quite a knock when exposed to UV rays in a tanning bed, and it needs time to recover and some care to help it along the way.
For this reason, you should avoid going straight back for another tanning session the next day.
You should wait at least three or four days before your next tanning session. Too much exposure to UV lights can cause significant skin damage.
This also includes protecting your skin when walking outside.
Use an SPF moisturizer or lotion every day to protect your skin against further damage before your next salon appointment.
Use A Tanning Lotion
There are some great tanning lotions designed specifically for use indoors (or both indoors and outdoors, like this amazing one from Dark Tans Exclusive).
These lotions help nourish your skin during and after the tanning process to ensure it is protected and hydrated.
These indoor tanning lotions are formulated differently from outdoor tanning lotions, so you need to make sure to pick the right one.
Most outdoor tanning lotions cannot be used in tanning beds, so you need to pay attention to this.
A good indoor tanning lotion can also help your tan develop more even after your session in the tanning bed, and some can be applied to the skin in the days following the tanning bed session.
Treat Yourself
One of the stranger ways to care for your skin after a tanning bed session – but definitely one that we won’t say no to – is to eat dark chocolate!
Dark chocolate contains flavonols, which are a good source of antioxidants.
Antioxidants have been known to help fight against free radicals, which can really help skin heal after time in a tanning bed!
Wear Loose Clothing
Tight leggings and shirts can rub against your skin and cause you to sweat. This can irritate your skin and cause it to dry out even more.
Wear loose clothing, or at least pack loose clothing to wear after your time in the tanning bed. Try to avoid wearing a tight bra, too.
Loose clothing allows your skin to breathe and stops you from sweating too much.
After your skin has been exposed to UV rays for a period of time, you will feel much more comfortable.
Do Not Shave Or Wax After Tanning
Avoid shaving or waxing for at least 12 hours after your tanning bed session.
When you wax or shave, you exfoliate the top layer of skin, which is where the tan sits.
This removes some of the tan and means that your tan will fade quicker.
It is a good idea to wax or shave the day before your tan, as this helps to exfoliate your skin in preparation for tanning.
This means that you can wait a little bit longer to wax or shave your legs after.
How To Make The Most Of The Tanning Session
Caring for your skin starts before you actually get into the tanning bed.
As important as it is to care for your skin following the tanning session, you should prepare your skin for tanning too. Here is how:
Exfoliate Before Tanning
Use a body scrub or gentle exfoliator sponge to exfoliate your skin the day before or a few hours before going to a tanning bed.
This removes dead skin cells and cleanses the skin so it is ready to tan. Exfoliated skin tans better and holds a tan for longer, too.
Tan For The Recommended Time
Do not stay in the tanning bed for longer than you need to.
The professionals at the salon should be able to help you work out the tan level you are after and how much time you need to spend in the tanning bed to achieve this.
Spending too much time in the tanning bed can be really damaging to your skin, resulting in sunburn and peeling.
Use A Tanning Lotion
You should not use a tanning bed without applying a tanning lotion first.
The tanning lotion needs to be indoor tanning lotion, as outdoor tanning lotions cannot be used in a tanning bed.
A good indoor tanning lotion will nourish and protect your skin as you tan, preventing it from burning and peeling, and it will extend your tan after you have finished, too.
Some indoor tanning lotions help build and enhance a tan, even after you have left the tanning bed.
Final Thoughts
There is no point in spending time in a tanning bed if you are not going to care for your skin once the session is over.
It is vital to moisturize, hydrate, and properly look after your newly tanned skin to minimize damage and to keep your beautiful tan glowing for longer.
Preparing your skin before tanning and practicing healthy skin habits will help you make the most of your tanning bed sessions!
If you’d like to see an example tanning routine, check out this video from the iluvsarahii channel on YouTube.
Related Questions
Can I tan two days in a row?
It is not a good idea to tan two days in a row, as this can damage your skin.
You need to give your skin some time to recover between tanning sessions.
Tanning too often can lead to premature skin aging and prolonged skin conditions.
How long does it take to build a tan?
It should take two or more tanning sessions in a tanning bed to begin to notice results.
You might have a base tan that is noticeable after the first day, but it will take more sessions to develop a deeper, darker tan, building up to the color you want.
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