If you are considering going tanning in a tanning bed, you need to make sure that you are wearing the right clothing items!
Your skin needs to be exposed to the UV lights in the tanning bed in order to tan, and wearing the incorrect clothing could leave you with tan lines that don’t look so appealing. You might also not want to be naked in a tanning bed that other people have been in too.
There are quite a few different opinions on what you should wear in a tanning bed.
So what should you wear in a tanning bed? The best answer is to wear what you are comfortable wearing, and what will give you the least tan lines. You can choose between being naked, wearing a swimsuit, or wearing your underwear.
We have covered all of your tanning clothing options below, and also what is appropriate to wear in a tanning salon!
Appropriate Clothing For A Tanning Bed
With most tanning salons, there are no set rules on what you should and should not wear. Some salons might have restrictions on clients being completely naked in the tanning bed, but you will have to find this out beforehand.
The clothes you choose to wear in a tanning bed will depend on your own personal preferences, and the complexion and shade you want to achieve will also play a part.
Tan Lines
You need to consider the type of tan lines you would develop with the type of clothing you are wanting to wear, and if these will interfere with the look you are wanting to achieve with your tan.
Think about what you wear often, and the swimsuit you wear most when outdoors. If the tan line will show with the clothes you are wearing, or if it will show with the swimsuit you are wanting to wear, then you might want to avoid wearing too much in the tanning bed.
So, the key is to try and avoid wearing clothing items that will develop tan lines which will be visible with the things you wear and the swimsuits you wear when outdoors.
Minimal clothing is best, as this will develop the least amount of tan lines, but once again it is up to what you are comfortable with.
Skin Type
You need to also consider your skin type when deciding what to wear in the tanning bed. If you have certain areas of your body that burn easily or are sensitive, then these should be covered. While this will cause tan lines, it is not worth burning and damaging your skin.
Fair skin that burns easily probably needs a little more coverage than darker skin that can withstand burning more.
Knowing your skin type, and how your body reacts to UV lights, will definitely help you determine which areas of your body are better off covered up, and which can be open to the lights.
Don’t forget to dress your skin in a water-based moisturizer once you are done tanning!
Tanning Bed Clothing Options
You have a few options of what to wear when in a tanning bed. Consider the look you are after, the possible tan lines, and what you are comfortable wearing when deciding on which would be best.
Keep reading for suggestions on what you could wear in a tanning bed.
Swimsuit
Wearing a swimsuit in a tanning bed is probably the most popular clothing choice. This can be a full swimsuit, a two-piece, or even swimming shorts.
You will probably feel most comfortable using the tanning bed when wearing a swimsuit.
If you are planning to show off your tan in a swimsuit, this also offers a great way for you to cover up your intimate areas, but not create noticeable tan lines. By wearing the same swimsuit after, the tan lines will be covered up.
If you are worried about tan lines around your shoulders, you could opt for a strapless bikini top. You could also untie the bikini top and just keep it covering your breasts to reduce tan lines, but still feel covered up.
You also do not have to worry about the UV lights in the tanning bed ruining your swimsuit, it’s just like tanning in the natural sun and will not damage the material.
Wear Nothing
The simplest option to avoid tan lines is to use the tanning bed naked. Wearing nothing but your birthday suit will give you the most even tan all over, and you do not have to worry about covering up any areas later on that were covered during the tan.
If you worried about hygiene, lying in a tanning bed naked where other people have been, all reputable tanning salons have very rigorous health protocols and stick to a high standard of hygiene.
They are also inspected regularly, so you can be sure that it is clean and safe.
You do need to be wary of sensitive skin being exposed by tanning naked in a tanning bed.
Some areas of the body are more sensitive to UV rays than others, and not covering these could learn to burning and irritation.
There are options of nipple covers and other intimate covers to use if these are areas of concern.
Choosing to go naked in a tanning bed is also a personal choice, and if you are not comfortable with it, then that is absolutely fine, and you do have other options.
Underwear
You will most likely be attending the tanning salon after work or while running out on some errands, and wearing your underwear in the tanning bed is probably the easiest solution in this situation.
It is absolutely fine to wear your underwear in a tanning bed, and you then do not have to worry about carrying around a swimsuit to change into.
Your underwear will work just like a swimsuit in the tanning bed, you could wear briefs, bras, strapless bras, panties, thongs, whatever you are most comfortable in, and whatever works best to prevent unwanted tan lines.
It is easy to pop your clothes back on after the tanning bed session if you are in your underwear too!
What About Eyewear?
It is absolutely essential that you wear eye protection in the tanning bed!
The UV lights can cause serious damage to your eyes, and simply closing your eyes does not offer enough protection. Your eyelids are thin and sensitive and will burn easily, and not offer protection to your eyes.
Some salons do offer goggles that you can use or hire, or you can buy your own goggles to take along with you. There are also disposable eye protection stickers that help to reduce tan lines around the eyes, but still offer optimal protection.
Do not enter a tanning bed without eye protection, and any salon would not allow you to do so anyway.
What Should I Wear After Tanning In A Tanning Bed?
Another important question to ask is what you should wear after spending some time in the tanning bed.
You obviously won’t be leaving the salon in your swimsuit or underwear, but there are certain recommendations as to what you should and shouldn’t wear immediately after tanning.
It is best to wear loose-fitting clothing after spending some time in a tanning bed. Clothes that are easy to put on, and which do not hug your skin, are the best options. This could be sweats, loose shorts, joggers, loose tank tops, baggy T-shirts, and loose, airy dresses.
Wearing loose clothing prevents the clothing from rubbing against your skin and causing chaffing, and it also helps to prevent sweating.
Your skin will be recovering from the exposure to the UV lights in the tanning bed, so it is best to give it some space and air to do so.
It is also just easier to quickly change into easy-to-wear clothes once your tanning session has ended!
Related Questions
Should I cover my nipples while tanning?
Nipples are just like the skin on the rest of your body, they can tan, and once used to UV rays, they should not burn or hurt as much when exposed to UV light.
The problem is that most of us have not built up a tan on our nipples, so exposing them to UV light in a tanning bed for the first time might burn and cause irritation.
You can choose to wear nipple covers in a tanning bed, and many tanning salons sell these. You might also want to remove them for a few minutes in the bed, to slowly build up the tan on your nipples, which makes them less sensitive to UV rays.
What should I wear on my face while tanning?
It is a good idea to apply a low-factor sunscreen on your face when in a tanning bed. The skin on your face is more sensitive, so it does need some protection from the UV rays.
This low factor sunscreen will offer protection against burning and redness but still allows your skin to tan.
As mentioned above, you will also definitely need to wear eye protection when in a tanning bed to protect your eyes from damage.
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