How To Lay In The Tanning Bed For An Even Tan
Achieving the perfect tan requires more than just lying back and relaxing in a tanning bed, you need to put in some effort to ensure you make the most of the tanning session and achieve an even tan all over.
It is common to leave the tanning bed with an uneven tan, and this can be quite noticeable at times.
It is essential to know exactly how to lie in a tanning bed to achieve a gorgeous tan and to ensure you utilize your tanning session effectively.
How do you lay in a tanning bed for an even tan?
To lay in a tanning bed for an even tan, you will have to change positions a few times. Lying flat on your back restricts some areas from tanning, so you will need to reposition your body throughout the tanning session to ensure all areas are covered.
To help you out for your next tanning session, we have covered all the reasons why you need to change positions in a tanning bed, what to avoid, and the best positions to lay in for an even, glowing tan!
The Importance Of Changing Positions In A Tanning Bed
Changing positions in a tanning bed is so important. It allows you to expose all areas of your body to the tanning bed’s UV lights, giving you the chance to tan evenly.
Without changing positions throughout the tanning session, you really won’t be getting the most out of your time spent in the bed.
A tanning bed provides you with everything you need to build a beautiful tan, but you must use it properly.
The following reasons show the importance of changing positions in a tanning bed:
Even Tanning
Changing positions will give you an even tan all around. You will be exposing all areas of your body to the UV lights, building up a tan even in those hard-to-reach areas.
Reduces Damage
Changing positions in a tanning bed also means you will reduce damage to your skin and eyes.
You will be rotating your body in the tanning bed, and this means that some areas won’t be overexposed to the UV lights, and you will be able to protect your eyes better, too.
Avoid Tan Lines
This goes hand-in-hand with even tanning because when changing positions in a tanning bed, you are moving around and stretching your skin, which means you will not develop tan lines, unlike if you lie in one position in the bed.
What Are Pressure Points In A Tanning Bed?
First-time tanning bed users may not be aware of pressure points, but they are worth noting and avoiding by moving around in the tanning bed to prevent them from occurring.
Pressure points happen when you do not change position in a tanning bed. The blood flow to these areas slows down, and with these areas pressing down on the bed, it doesn’t allow for the UV rays to be absorbed into the skin properly.
Without the UV rays being able to absorb into the skin properly, the areas prone to pressure points will not tan evenly, leaving you with an uneven tan and visible tan lines.
Pressure points are one of the main reasons why you need to change positions frequently when spending time in a tanning bed, so that no areas are left without a tan.
Best Positions To Lay In For An Even Tan
When it comes to the best tanning bed positions to lay in for the most even tan, there are only two positions for you to know.
These two positions are laying on your back and laying on your stomach. This seems obvious, but by switching between the two positions, you will be able to evenly tan your body, without pressure points or light patches!
Here is more on each position so that you can perfect them in the tanning bed during your next session:
Laying On Your Back
Laying on your back is the most common tanning bed position, and for good reason, because it is comfortable! Laying on your back alone can lead to an uneven tan, as there is a large area of your body that does not tan properly.
There are some tips to follow when tanning on your back to ensure you are given the best tan possible:
- Place your arms behind your head or down beside your body, but ensure that your arms do not come into contact with your body, as this could cause the side of your body not to tan, or your arms could create a shadow on your body, resulting in tan lines.
- Lay down as flat as possible to avoid creating crease lines on your back.
- Rest your feet on your heels so that all areas of your feet can be tanned evenly.
- Lift your knees higher than the rest of your body, to give more exposure to as much of your legs as possible.
- Occasionally, switch your weight to either side to open up more of your body to the UV rays.
Laying On Your Stomach
It might not be your go-to position in a tanning bed, but laying on your stomach allows you to tan the areas of your body that wouldn’t be tanned from laying on your back.
Here are some tips on how to tan best when on your stomach:
- To be more comfortable, place your hands under your chin to rest it upon. This also helps to tan your neck and your wrists properly.
- Try not to arch your back too much, as this can cause tan lines and hinder the creation of an even tan.
- Make sure to have your feet resting on your toes so that they are exposed to as many UV rays as possible to tan evenly. This will also help your knees have a more even tan, too.
My Sides Don’t Tan In The Tanning Bed
One main complaint that tanning bed users have is that their sides do not tan properly, and this can be pretty noticeable when the rest of their skin has tanned significantly.
There are a few things that you can do to ensure that your sides tan as much as the rest of your body in the tanning bed:
Move Your Arms Around
Your arms can shield your sides from tanning if they are not appropriately positioned. Spread your arms a bit away from your body, or place them above your head, so there are no shadows created along the side of your body.
Lay On Your Stomach
Laying on your stomach can also help to tan your sides, especially if you place your hands up near your head. This extends your sides and ensures that they are exposed to UV rays for an extended period.
Lay On Your Side
When your tanning session is over, spend a minute or so lying on either side to allow the UV rays to focus on your sides. You only need a minute on each side to ensure that the tan develops evenly all around.
How Often Should You Change Positions In A Tanning Bed?
The frequency at which you need to change positions in a tanning bed depends on the duration of your tanning session.
Most tanning salons have a timer attached to the bed, which can be set to remind you when to tan. Some tanning salon workers will also come to remind you to turn over after a certain amount of time.
Take note of your tanning session time before going in, and set the timer to change positions just before halfway through.
Change positions, and then have the timer go just before 2 minutes left. Take the last 2 minutes to lay on either side, to finish off your even tan.
Between changing positions, keep moving your body slightly and stretching to prevent tan lines from forming and creases from developing.
Remember to also adjust your goggle every now and then so you do not wind up with white patches around your eyes.
Tanning All Areas Of Your Body In A Tanning Bed
You would want to achieve as even of a tan as possible when in a tanning bed, and this means you will have to change position every now and then. Follow the below tips to ensure that each part of your body is evenly tanned:
Tanning Your Face
Your face is really quite easy to tan in a tanning bed, but you have to be aware of possible damage to your eyes. It is vital to wear tanning goggles to prevent damage to your eyes.
To avoid the goggles from giving you raccoon eyes, you should adjust them a few times during your tanning session, to prevent white areas around your eyes.
For more information about tanning your face in a tanning bed, read this article.
Tanning Your Shoulders
To allow your neck and shoulders to tan evenly, you should tie your hair up and keep it away from your body.
To tan your shoulders correctly, you should lay on your stomach and place your hands under your chin. This allows your shoulders to lift slightly and tan more easily.
Tanning Your Chest And Stomach
Your chest and stomach are best tanned when you lie on your back. Make sure to lay down as flat as possible, so that no tan lines form.
Tanning Your Back
To tan your back, you will need to be on your stomach. Your back is one of the largest areas of your body, so it is easy enough to tan in a tanning bed, as it should be fully exposed to UV lights.
Tanning Your Legs
The legs can be challenging to tan, as you would need to tan the fronts, backs, and sides. Start by tanning your legs by lying on your back, and then turn over to your stomach to tan the back of your legs.
When lying down on your back, raise your knees, leaving your heels on the tanning bed, to get UV rays between your thighs and legs for an even tan.
Tanning Your Buttocks
Tanning your buttocks can be tricky, as when your buttocks fold over the top of your thighs, it can cause light, moon-shaped areas on the top of your legs at the back.
To avoid this, alternate between your back and front so that no pressure points are created and no areas are left shielded from the UV rays.
Tanning Your Feet
Don’t forget that your feet need to tan too! When lying down in a tanning bed, keep your feet upright, with only your heels touching the tanning bed.
When on your stomach, prop your feet up on your toes. Both of these positions mean that all areas of your feet are tanned evenly.
Final Thoughts
There is no specific position to use in a tanning bed that will give you an even tan all over. You need to change positions when in a tanning bed to ensure that all areas of your body are equally exposed to UV rays.
Spend time on both your back and stomach and a little bit on either side, to give your skin an even tan all around.
Ensure you adjust your position throughout the tanning session to prevent forming tan lines or patches.
Choosing the correct positions in a tanning bed and being conscious of giving all of your skin equal exposure to the UV rays is the best way to get an even, glowing tan in a tanning bed!
Related Questions
Should you stretch when tanning?
Aside from changing positions, stretching is one of the most important things you can do to maximize the benefits of UV rays from the tanning bed.
Stretching your arms, legs, back, and sides when tanning allows your skin to absorb UV rays more effectively.
It almost works like a sponge, and more UV rays are absorbed when you stretch. Stretching also means the chances of tan lines are decreased!
Should You Use a Tanning Bed Pillow?
Almost all tanning salons will offer you a pillow (like this one from StickerFirm) to use in the tanning bed, but it would be beneficial not to use it.
The pillow will cover your neck when you use it, ensuring that your neck does not get tanned.
A pillow could cause a white strip on your neck, and this could be pretty obvious after your tanning session. Instead of using a pillow, use your hands to form a pillow under your head, whether you are on your back or stomach.
By using your hands, you can tan them more easily, and you can reposition yourself more to get a more even tan all over.
How long should you lay in a tanning bed?
Once you have built up a base tan in a tanning bed, you should only need around 10 minutes in a tanning bed. This will also depend on the tan you want to develop, as well as your skin type.
If you are unsure, consult with the professionals at the salon, who will be able to advise you on the appropriate duration. For more information, check out our article: Tanning Bed Time Chart – For Each Skin Type.
Should you wear goggles in a tanning bed?
It is essential to wear goggles in a tanning bed to protect your eyelids and eyes. You can adjust the goggles so that they do not give you tan lines, but you should keep them on at all times.
