Tanning using a tanning bed still means that your skin is exposed to UV rays, which can be harmful. 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? It is vital to take care of your skin after spending time in a tanning bed. To do this, you should stay hydrated, moisturize your skin, avoid showering for a day, and use a special tanning lotion.
One other recommended tip is to enjoy some dark chocolate to add some extra antioxidants into 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, and it could lead to your skin becoming dry and peeling.
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 can be!
Drink Enough Water
Staying hydrated after spending time in a tanning bed is so important. You need to make sure that you drink enough water to prevent any 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 the UV rays in a tanning bed, so along with drinking water, you need to add hydration back to your skin 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 too. Choosing one with tea-tree oil or aloe vera can help to soothe your skin after the tanning session, reducing redness and inflammation.
Continue to moisturize your skin twice a day after your tan to ensure that your skin is kept nourished and hydrated. Hydrated skin holds onto a tan better, so this also ensures that your tan lasts longer too.
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 need to 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 lead to some 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 going to your next salon appointment.
Use A Tanning Lotion
There are some great tanning lotions that have been designed specifically for use indoors (or both indoors and outdoors like this amazing one from Dark Tans Exclusive). These tanning lotions help to nourish your skin through the tanning process and after, to ensure your skin 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 can’t be used in tanning beds, so it is something you need to pay attention to.
A good indoor tanning lotion can also help your tan develop more even after your session in the tanning bed, and there are some that 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.
Make sure to 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, and will feel much more comfortable after your skin has been under the UV rays for a period of time.
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, and it 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 getting into a tanning bed.
This removes dead skin cells from your skin and cleanses it to be 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, and you can land up with 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. There are also some types of indoor tanning lotions that help build a tan, and enhance it, 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.
Make sure to prepare your skin before tanning, and to then practice some healthy skin habits to 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 have quite a damaging effect on your skin. You need to give your skin some time to recover between tanning sessions. Tanning too often can lead to premature aging of your skin 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 tanning sessions to develop a deeper, darker tan from there, building up to the color you want.
