Tanning in a tanning bed saves you time, and it can be better for your skin. Your tan will develop quicker in a tanning bed, and you have better control over preventing your skin from burning.
Many people want to use tanning oils in a tanning bed to try and speed up the process, but you have to be careful with the tanning oil that you use.
Is it okay to use outdoor tanning oil in a tanning bed? No, you should not use outdoor tanning oil in a tanning bed, as outdoor tanning oil contains mineral oil which could really damage the tanning bed. Most salons state quite clearly that you should not use outdoor tanning oil in a tanning bed.
Outdoor tanning oils might also damage your skin if used in a tanning bed, so it does help to know what you should and shouldn’t do in a tanning salon, and what will give you the best results!
Why You Shouldn’t Use Outdoor Tanning Lotion In A Tanning Bed
Outdoor tanning oil contains a whole host of different ingredients that make it effective for tanning outdoors. With a mix of oils and skin-nourishing ingredients, it helps develop a tan quicker in the sun, while caring for your skin and ensuring it isn’t too damaged.
However, the one main ingredient in most outdoor tanning lotions is mineral oil. Mineral oil helps the skin absorb more UV rays from the sun, and this then helps the skin tan faster, making the most of your time in the sun.
While mineral oils are essential in outdoor tanning oils, they are the ingredient that makes outdoor tanning oils unsuitable for tanning beds.
If you can find a tanning oil without mineral oil, then it is fine to use in a tanning bed, but as most outdoor oils are made with mineral oil, this will be difficult.
How Outdoor Tanning Oils Damage Tanning Beds
Before understanding how tanning oils damage tanning beds, it helps to know how tanning beds work.
Tanning beds are made with an acrylic lining, and on top of this acrylic lining are tanning lamps which emit the same UV rays that the sun does. The strength of different tanning beds does vary, but on average, tanning beds emit the same strength of UV rays as the midday sun on the equator.
The problem with using tanning oils in a tanning bed is when the mineral oil comes into contact with the acrylic in the tanning bed.
Even the smallest amount of mineral oil can begin to damage the acrylic lining. When the mineral oil comes into contact with the acrylic lining, it can begin to degrade the lining, and this can cause damage over time, and this can lead to quite substantial repairs.
As salon tanning beds are used so regularly, tanning oils with mineral oil need to be banned, as the constant exposure of mineral oil to the acrylic lining will lead to the tanning bed becoming damaged really quickly. They may even need to replace their machine.
What To Use Instead
Now that you know to avoid using outdoor tanning oil in a tanning bed, you would need to know what to use instead!
You should always use an indoor lotion or oil (like this fan favorite from Dark Tans Exclusive) on your skin when using a tanning bed, as you want to try and minimize the damage done to your skin, and give your skin a little bit of help while tanning.
The best thing to use in a tanning bed is an indoor tanning lotion, which is different from outdoor tanning lotion and is suitable to be used in tanning beds.
Here is how indoor tanning lotion is different than outdoor tanning oils:
Low SPF
Indoor tanning lotions contain little or no SPF, as they contain other ingredients that care for your skin and protect it from drying out. The low or non-existent SPF also means that you can make the most of your short time in the tanning bed, where the time is set to suit the tan you want.
UV Enhancing
There are some tanning oils that contain UV enhancers, which help to maximize the UV rays in a tanning bed. Outdoor tanning lotions can sometimes contain sun protection, which helps you stay out in the sun for longer with less damage, but this is counterproductive in a tanning bed.
Suited For Short Tanning Time
Indoor tanning oils are best suited for short tanning times, rather than spending long periods out in the sun.
Using an indoor tanning oil will allow your skin to make the most of the short time spent in the tanning bed, so you can build a deeper and darker tan in a shorter amount of time.
Safe For Tanning Beds
Probably the most important difference between outdoor tanning oils and indoor tanning oils is that indoor tanning oils will not damage tanning beds.
They are designed without mineral oil, which means the acrylic in the tanning bed will not be damaged, and you can enjoy the benefits of the tanning oil without destroying the tanning bed!
Why You Should Use Indoor Tanning Lotions In Tanning Beds
Not being able to use outdoor tanning lotions in a tanning bed does not mean that you should use a tanning bed without anything on your skin!
It can be so beneficial to use indoor tanning oil or lotion, as it is designed to try and optimize your time spent in the bed. Here is why you should always use an indoor tanning lotion when in a tanning bed:
Helps Moisturize Skin
Skin can become dry and dehydrated from time in a tanning bed, exposed to the UV rays and the heat. By using a good indoor tanning lotion, you are hydrating your skin throughout the process and ensuring it does not become dry.
Regular use of a tanning bed can be damaging to your skin and can cause your skin to age quickly. By using tanning oil, you can prevent this, and give your skin the nourishment it needs to withstand the damage and to look great when tanned.
Prolongs Your Tan
An indoor tanning oil keeps your skin in great condition, and this means that your tan lasts longer as well. It reduces the chance that your skin will peel after a tan, so you can enjoy your bronzed glow for longer.
Quickens Your Tan
Using an indoor tanning oil in a tanning bed means that your skin absorbs more UV rays in a shorter time, which helps you maximize your time spent in the tanning bed, and helps you develop a darker tan quicker.
Even Tanning
By hydrating your skin all over with tanning oil, you will be giving your skin a better chance of developing a more even tan all over. This is especially true for when you use a tanning oil every time you get into a tanning bed.
Prevents Burning
Most indoor tanning lotions do not contain SPF, but they can help to prevent your skin from burning in a tanning bed, as it keeps your skin hydrated and nourished, which does wonders to prevent burning and peeling.
Avoiding Outdoor Tanning Lotions In A Tanning Bed
You should avoid using outdoor tanning lotions in a tanning bed, but to make it easier to remember, most, if not all, tanning salons will prevent you, or at least warn you, against using outdoor lotions in the bed.
This is to avoid the mineral oil damaging the acrylic in the tanning bed, which even the smallest drop of mineral oil can do.
If you are unsure of what to use, you can chat with the professionals at the salon, and they would be able to recommend suitable products that will be great for your skin, and your tan, in a tanning bed.
Have a look for special indoor tanning lotions, as these are free from mineral oil, and are designed to be used in a tanning bed, to maximize your time spent in the bed, without causing damage to the machine.
Related Questions
Does indoor tanning lotion work?
Indoor tanning lotion does work, but like with most products, it is best to choose a good-quality tanning lotion.
These tanning lotions help you to tan darker and faster than you would if you were just tanning outside in the sun, and they help you build a good base tan too. The indoor tanning lotions also hydrate and nourish your skin to protect it through the tanning process.
Is it bad to use a tanning bed without tanning lotion?
You should avoid using a tanning bed without tanning lotion. The UV rays in the tanning bed can dry out and damage your skin, so using a tanning lotion helps to protect your skin from this, and instead helps you build a healthy tan that lasts for longer.
Can I use tanning lotion on my face?
You need to be careful when applying tanning lotion to your face. There are some special indoor tanning lotions designed to be used on the face, and these usually have slight SPF and are suitable for sensitive skin.
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