Achieving the perfect tan takes more than just laying back and relaxing in a tanning bed, and you need to put some effort in to ensure you make the most of the tanning session to give yourself an even tan all around.
It is so common to leave the tanning bed with an uneven tan, and this can be quite obvious at times. It really is important to know exactly how to lay in a tanning bed to give your whole body a gorgeous tan, and to make sure you utilize your tanning session.
How do you lay in a tanning bed for an even tan? To lay in a tanning bed for an even tan, you will actually have to change positions a few times. Laying flat on your back restricts some areas from tanning, so you will have to reposition your body through the tanning session to have all areas 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 give all areas of your body the chance to tan by being exposed to the UV lights in the tanning bed. 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 – you just have to make sure you are using it properly.
The below reasons show the importance of changing positions in a tanning bed:
Even Tanning
Obviously, 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 be reducing damage to your skin and to your 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 that you will not have tan lines, which would develop if you just lay in one position in the bed.
What Are Pressure Points In A Tanning Bed?
First-time tanning bed users might not be aware of pressure points, but they are definitely worth taking note of, and worth moving around in the tanning bed to ensure they don’t happen!
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 absorb into the skin properly.
Without the UV rays being able to absorb into the skin properly, the areas which are prone to pressure points will not tan properly, so you will be left with an uneven tan, and tan lines too.
Pressure points are one of the main reasons why you need to change positions a few times 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 really 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 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! However, 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 make sure that your arms do not come into contact with your body, as this could cause the side of your body to not tan, or your arms could create a shadow on your body and cause tan lines.
- Lay down as flat as possible so that you do not create 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 up higher than the rest of your body, to give more exposure to as much of your legs as possible.
- Switch your weight to either side every now and again, just 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 could cause tan lines and not help create an even tan.
- Make sure to have your feet resting on your toes so that your feet are given as much UV rays as possible to tan all over. 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 quite obvious when the rest of your skin has tanned quite a bit.
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 positioned properly. 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 it comes to the end of your tanning session, spend a minute or so laying on either side so that the UV rays are focussed 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?
How often you need to change positions in a tanning bed will depend on how long your tanning session is.
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, you should keep moving your body around slightly and stretching, so that tan lines aren’t formed and there are no creases. 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 properly, you should lay on your stomach and place your hands under your chin. This allows your shoulders to lift slightly and tan easier.
Tanning Your Chest And Stomach
Your chest and stomach are best tanned when you lie on your back. Make sure to try to lay down as flat as possible, so that there are no tan lines formed.
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 difficult 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, raised your knees up, 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 if your buttocks fold over the top of your thighs, it could cause light moon-shaped areas on the top of your legs at the back.
To avoid this, flip between your back and front so that no pressure points are created, and that there are no areas 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 these positions mean that all areas of your feet are tanned evenly.
Final Thoughts
There is not one specific position to use in a tanning bed that would 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. Make sure to adjust your position throughout the tanning session so that you do not form tan lines or tan patches.
Choosing the right 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?
Other than changing positions, stretching is one of the most important things you can do to make the most of the UV rays from the tanning bed.
Stretching your arms, legs, back, and sides when tanning gives your skin maximum absorption of UV rays. 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 do you well to not use it. The pillow will cover your neck when you use it, and this means that your neck will not tan.
A pillow could cause a white strip on your neck, and this could be quite 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 easier, 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, then you should only need around 10 minutes in a tanning bed. This will also depend on the tan you are wanting to develop, and your skin type too.
If you are unsure, chat to the professionals at the salon, who will be able to advise you on how long you need. For more information, check out our article: Tanning Bed Time Chart – For Each Skin Type.
Should you wear goggles in a tanning bed?
You should always wear goggles in a tanning bed, to protect your eyelids and eyes. You can adjust the goggles to not give you tan lines, but you should keep them on at all times.
