Should You Use Tanning Lotion In A Tanning Bed?  – Beautiful With Brains

Have you ever ever stepped right into a tanning salon and stared blankly on the wall of tanning lotions, questioning, “Must you actually use tanning lotion in a tanning mattress?”

Truthfully, it doesn’t make an entire lot of sense at first. Why would you slather your whole physique in lotion simply to have a tanning session and go lie down in a machine that’s actually constructed to tan you? You’re paying for the UV rays, shouldn’t they do all of the work? 

Let’s break down the professionals and cons, does and don’ts… However first, a bit disclaimer:

What Precisely Is A Tanning Mattress Lotion?

Tanning mattress lotions (additionally known as indoor tanning lotions) are merchandise designed to make you tan quicker whenever you’re uncovered to UVA rays in a tanning mattress. whereas sunscreens block UV rays to forestall tanning (and injury), these lotions encourage melanin manufacturing (aka: what makes your pores and skin darker) whereas additionally retaining your pores and skin hydrated and nourished.

Listed here are the primary components they comprise:

1. Melanin-Stimulating Elements

These components are designed to speed up the tanning course of by selling the manufacturing of melanin (your physique’s pure pigment liable for pores and skin shade and UV safety):

• L-Tyrosine: That is the amino acid your physique must make melanin (the pigment that makes you tan). Usually your pores and skin will get it out of your bloodstream, however some tanning lotions add it on prime hoping it provides your pores and skin extra uncooked materials to work with. It will get transformed into melanin by means of a series response involving an enzyme known as tyrosinase. Is topical tyrosine confirmed to work? Probably not. But it surely’s biochemically logical, which is why it retains displaying up in formulation.
• Copper Peptides (GHK-Cu): Copper is just like the battery that powers tyrosinase, the enzyme that turns tyrosine into pigment. These peptides assist ship copper instantly into your pores and skin, which can assist your melanin manufacturing run extra effectively. Bonus: additionally they help therapeutic and help calm inflammation, which is useful after UV publicity.
• Unipertan®: A mixture of tyrosine, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and different helpers that supposedly hurries up tanning by fuelling the entire melanin-making system. The thought is stable, however the knowledge largely comes from producers, not peer-reviewed research. Nonetheless, it’s widespread in higher-end lotions for a motive.

Associated: Are Copper Peptides Better Than Retinoids?

2. Moisturizers 

UV radiation disrupts the stratum corneum (the outermost pores and skin layer), resulting in trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). These components assist retain moisture and shield barrier integrity.

• Glycerin: A powerhouse humectant. It grabs water and holds it in your pores and skin, which is vital as a result of UV publicity strips moisture quick. With out one thing like glycerin, you’ll find yourself flaky, dry, and uneven post-tan. 
• Panthenol (Professional-Vitamin B5): As soon as it sinks into your pores and skin, it turns into pantothenic acid, which helps restore the pores and skin barrier and enhance hydration. It’s additionally anti-inflammatory, so it may calm your pores and skin after it’s been blasted with UV gentle.
• Shea Butter: That is your pores and skin’s armor. It’s loaded with fatty acids that seal in moisture and stop water loss. Studies show it actually helps strengthen your skin barrier and reduce irritation.
• Hemp Seed Oil: Wealthy in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, this one helps replenish your pores and skin’s pure lipids and soothe irritation. Nice for anybody whose pores and skin will get pink or tight after tanning.
• Aloe Vera: You already know this one. Traditional after-sun ingredient. However in lotions, it’s not only for cooling. It accommodates polysaccharides and glycoproteins that assist your pores and skin restore itself, cut back redness, and retain moisture.

Associated: Can Aloe Vera Treat Sunburns & Acne?

3. Bronzers 

These present tanning by means of both staining the pores and skin or chemically reacting with amino acids within the stratum corneum.

• DHA (Dihydroxyacetone): That is the stuff in self-tanners that reacts with lifeless pores and skin cells (particularly amino acids within the stratum corneum) to create a brown shade. It’s known as the Maillard response, and it really works with none UV publicity. The colour lasts about 5–7 days. Secure for exterior use, FDA accredited.
• Erythrulose: Slower than DHA, however provides a extra pure fade and helps keep away from patchy or streaky outcomes. It reacts together with your pores and skin in an analogous approach and is usually paired with DHA in higher formulation.
• Caramel / Walnut Shell Extract / Henna: These are surface-level colorants. They stain the outer layer of your pores and skin for fast shade. They don’t have an effect on melanin or stick round for lengthy, however they offer a fast visible enhance whereas your UV tan develops beneath.

Associated: How Do Self-Tanners Work?

4. Tingle Brokers

These create a flushing or “tingling” sensation by stimulating blood circulate, which can improve oxygen provide to melanocytes.

• Methyl Nicotinate: This opens up blood vessels close to the floor of your pores and skin, inflicting that sizzling, tingling feeling. Extra blood circulate = extra oxygen = theoretically extra melanin exercise. There’s no sturdy scientific proof it deepens your tan, however it undoubtedly provides that intense “tingle” impact. Not for delicate pores and skin.
• Capsaicin: Yep, identical stuff that makes chili peppers sizzling. It prompts heat receptors in your pores and skin and will increase circulation. Once more, no onerous proof it helps tanning, however it certain seems like one thing’s occurring.
• Vanillyl Butyl Ether: A gentler different to capsaicin. Warms the pores and skin with out the total burn. Similar concept: elevated blood circulate, possibly extra melanin exercise, however outcomes differ from individual to individual.

5. Antioxidants 

UV publicity causes oxidative stress, damaging DNA and mobile buildings through reactive oxygen species (ROS). These components assist mop up that injury.

• Vitamin E (Tocopherol): A fat-soluble antioxidant that protects your pores and skin’s cell membranes from UV injury. It additionally helps replenish what your pores and skin loses throughout solar publicity and hurries up restoration. 
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Water-soluble, brightening, and nice at combating free radicals attributable to UV gentle. It boosts collagen manufacturing and enhances the results of vitamin E when used collectively. L-Ascorbic Acid is the most effective for a Vitamin C, however it breaks down quick. 
• Inexperienced Tea Extract (EGCG): Accommodates potent antioxidants that cut back irritation and shield pores and skin cells from UV-induced injury. Clinical studies show it can reduce redness and even forestall some long-term solar injury.
• Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone): Helps your pores and skin’s mitochondria (the vitality producers) and helps restore oxidative injury. It additionally improves firmness and elasticity over time, which makes it a stable anti-aging add-on.
• Allantoin: Calms irritation, helps cell turnover, and retains your pores and skin gentle after UV publicity. 

Abstract Desk (For Fast Reference):

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The Advantages Of Utilizing A Tanning Lotion In A Tanning Mattress

That is the place science meets pores and skin logic. Tanning (indoors or outdoor) dries the heck out of your pores and skin. That’s as a result of UV gentle (particularly UVA, which is usually what tanning beds emit) penetrates deep into your pores and skin, damaging collagen and dehydrating it from the within out.

Utilizing a tanning mattress with out lotion is principally like flat-ironing your hair with out warmth protectant. Positive, you may, however your hair’s going to finish up crispy, uninteresting, and mad at you. Similar together with your pores and skin.

Right here’s what tanning lotion does for you and the way it improves your tanning mattress expertise:

1. Helps Your Pores and skin Tan Higher And Quicker

Moist pores and skin tans extra effectively. Dry pores and skin displays UV gentle, whereas hydrated pores and skin absorbs it extra evenly – which means you get a extra even, longer-lasting, and darker tan. Some lotions additionally embrace tyrosine (an amino acid that reinforces melanin manufacturing), DHA (a sunless tanning agent), or pure bronzers to hurry up outcomes.

2. Retains Your Pores and skin Delicate And Prevents Peeling

The #1 motive folks’s tans fade quick? Dry, flaky pores and skin. Tanning lotions are filled with moisturizers like shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe to assist your pores and skin keep plump, supple, and never peeling two days later.

3. Protects Towards Harm (Severely)

Some lotions comprise antioxidants like vitamin E, C, or inexperienced tea extract to assist struggle off free radical injury from UV publicity. That gained’t cease the injury utterly (UV rays are nonetheless UV rays), however it’s like giving your pores and skin a bit little bit of armor.

Can I Simply Use My Common Physique Lotion?

Nope. Right here’s why:  Common lotions normally comprise SPF, fragrances, important oils, or alcohols that aren’t designed to be used below UV lights. They will:

• Replicate UV gentle, making your tan uneven or slower
• Harm the acrylic floor of tanning beds (sure, salons hate this)
• Trigger pores and skin irritation when uncovered to UV radiation
• Create a bizarre, greasy movie in your pores and skin

So, even when your favourite self-tanning lotion smells like a tropical trip, put it aside for after your tanning mattress session. What you need is a non-SPF, indoor-specific tanning lotion that’s made to work with the UV rays, not in opposition to them.

However Aren’t Tanning Beds Unhealthy For You In Basic?

Yep. Let’s not sugarcoat it. Tanning beds don’t provide you with a innocent “glow” – they set off mobile injury, and your tan is the seen proof of it. Tanning beds use concentrated UVA radiation, which penetrates deeper than pure daylight and accelerates pores and skin ageing, DNA mutations, and the breakdown of your pores and skin’s construction. Right here’s what truly occurs to your pores and skin in a tanning mattress, step-by-step:

Stage 1: You Lie Down, UVA Hits Laborious

The second the lights activate, these rays dive straight into the deeper layers of your pores and skin, previous the floor, into the half the place your collagen, elastin, and blood vessels reside. You gained’t really feel it, however it’s already beginning to age your pores and skin from the within. That is the place all these sneaky little free radicals (ROS) get created, those that wreck your collagen and mess together with your DNA.

Stage 2: Your Pores and skin Goes “Uh Oh” And Begins Making Melanin

Melanin is your physique’s built-in protect. It’s what makes you tan, however it’s not there for aesthetics. Your pores and skin’s pumping it out to guard you from extra injury. That bronze glow? It’s your pores and skin throwing up protection partitions, not displaying off how wholesome it’s.

Stage 3: Your Pores and skin Tries To Toughen Up

Maintain tanning typically sufficient and your pores and skin begins to thicken. Actually. The outer layer bulks as much as act like armor, which sounds sort of cool till your pores and skin feels tough, dry, and patchy. UV additionally strips away the oils that hold your pores and skin gentle, so with out critical hydration, you’re left with that tight, flaky feeling nobody desires.

Stage 4: The Lengthy Recreation Hits

The extra you tan, the quicker your pores and skin loses elasticity. Assume sagging, positive traces, solar spots, uneven tone. Oh, and let’s not neglect the massive one: all that repeated DNA injury provides up, and so does your danger of pores and skin most cancers. And never only one type – basal cell, squamous, even melanoma if you happen to hold pushing it.

That being stated: if you happen to’re already selecting to make use of a tanning mattress (and also you’re an grownup who could make knowledgeable selections), utilizing a lotion is definitely safer than going with out. It protects your pores and skin barrier, reduces dryness, and might cut back the oxidative stress in your pores and skin with antioxidants.

It’s NOT safety in the way in which sunscreen is, however it’s higher than nothing.

Tips on how to Defend Your Pores and skin (If You’re Tanning Anyway)

f you’re stepping right into a tanning mattress, right here’s learn how to at the least make it much less damaging:

• Use a lotion that really does one thing: Not only one that smells like piña colada. Search for components like vitamin E, vitamin C, inexperienced tea, or CoQ10. These struggle off the injury UVA causes whereas your pores and skin’s busy making an attempt to guard itself.
• Hydrate such as you imply it: Dry pores and skin burns, flakes, and fades quicker. Use a lotion with stuff like glycerin, panthenol, shea butter, or hemp seed oil to maintain your pores and skin gentle and your tan from turning patchy.
• Don’t tan each different day prefer it’s your job: Your pores and skin has a restrict. As soon as melanin manufacturing maxes out, extra publicity doesn’t provide you with a deeper tan. It simply breaks your pores and skin down quicker.
• Put on the rattling goggles: Closing your eyes isn’t sufficient. Tanning with out eye safety can mess up your imaginative and prescient completely – and no tan is value dropping your sight over.
• Moisturize after. No exceptions: Give your pores and skin a couple of hours to course of the tan, then slather on one thing wealthy. Bonus factors if it has ceramides or panthenol to assist restore your barrier and hold your pores and skin from peeling off in sheets.
• Get your pores and skin checked out: If you happen to tan frequently, make it a behavior to see a derm yearly. Catching bizarre moles or pores and skin adjustments early makes an enormous distinction – and no, Google can’t diagnose them for you.

What’s The Distinction Between A Tingle, Bronzer, And Accelerator?

If you happen to’ve ever picked up a tanning lotion and seen phrases like “tingle” or “sizzling motion” on the label, right here’s the breakdown of the differing types:

• Tingle Lotions: These improve blood circulate to the pores and skin, which helps enhance oxygen and melanin manufacturing. That ends in a deeper, darkish tan quicker. However honest warning: they sting. Your pores and skin may flip pink and really feel heat for some time. Not for learners.
• Bronzers: These comprise DHA (like in self-tanners) or pure colorants that provide you with instantaneous shade earlier than your UV tan even develops. Good for fast glow, however wash your palms after making use of or danger Oompa Loompa palms.
• Accelerators (or intensifiers): These are the beginner-friendly choices. They hydrate, nourish, and enable you tan quicker with none tingling or bronzing. A protected guess in your first few periods.

What If I’m Pale AF And New To Tanning?

Don’t go right into a tanning mattress. I repeat, don’t go right into a tanning mattress. It’s NOT a good suggestion. Your pores and skin is approach too delicate for it.

And if you happen to gained’t take heed to motive, at the least do that: begin sluggish. Use an accelerator lotion, go for brief periods (like 5–7 minutes), and skip something with “tingle” till you know the way your pores and skin reacts. Additionally, moisturize like your life relies on it, earlier than and after your periods.

Professional tip: search for lotions with aloe, coconut oil, or hemp seed oil. These are usually gentler and higher for delicate or honest pores and skin.

Ought to I Use Tanning Lotion Each Time I Tan?

Sure. Each. Single. Time. Even if you happen to’re simply doing a 5-minute upkeep session, your pores and skin nonetheless will get uncovered to UV gentle, which suggests it nonetheless wants hydration and safety. Skipping lotion even as soon as can go away your pores and skin dry, patchy, and extra vulnerable to irritation or early fading.

Tips on how to Use Tanning Lotion in a Tanning Mattress (One Bullet Per Step)

1. Exfoliate earlier within the day: Use a physique scrub or mitt to take away lifeless pores and skin so the lotion can soak up correctly and your tan develops evenly. Don’t exfoliate proper earlier than tanning – give your pores and skin a couple of hours to settle, particularly if you happen to’re utilizing a tingle or bronzer. Clean pores and skin = longer-lasting, streak-free outcomes.
2. Begin with clear, product-free pores and skin: Skip common physique lotion, deodorant, or fragrance. These can block UV rays or mess with how the tanning lotion performs. Your pores and skin needs to be dry, clear, and able to soak up the product, not layered with stuff that interferes.
3. Apply your tanning lotion generously and evenly: Cowl all areas you need tanned, and take your time mixing round tough spots like elbows, ankles, and knees. In case your lotion has bronzers, wash your palms after so that you don’t find yourself with stained palms. Wait 1–2 minutes earlier than getting within the mattress so the lotion has time to soak up.
4. Tan with protecting goggles and keep on with your timing: As soon as the lotion’s absorbed, put in your eye safety and begin your session. Don’t go over the really helpful time, particularly if you happen to’re new or utilizing a powerful lotion. Tanning longer doesn’t imply a greater tan; it simply means extra injury.
5. Skip the bathe for a couple of hours and moisturize later: Give bronzers and melanin boosters at the least 2–4 hours to develop earlier than rinsing. After that, moisturize properly to maintain your pores and skin hydrated and your tan intact. For finest outcomes, use a tan extender lotion day by day.

Ought to I Nonetheless Moisturize After Utilizing A Tanning Mattress?

Completely. Tanning doesn’t cease the second you step out of the mattress. Your pores and skin retains reacting to the UV publicity for hours afterward. Meaning:

• Maintain your pores and skin moisturized to lock within the tan and that sun-kissed glow
• Keep away from sizzling showers proper after (they dry you out)
• Use a tan extender lotion if you would like your excellent tan to last more

Tan extenders normally have some DHA and additional hydration to maintain you wanting golden for longer. Simply be sure that they’re alcohol-free and sulfate-free.

Okay, So Which Lotion Ought to I Really Purchase?

That relies on your objectives and pores and skin sort. Right here’s a fast cheat sheet:

What Are The Finest Tanning Mattress Lotions?

• Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses (£31.99): This one’s made for anybody who desires a natural-looking tan with out counting on bronzers. It’s filled with coconut milk, coconut oil, and cocoa butter to deeply hydrate and shield your pores and skin whereas tyrosine helps melanin manufacturing for gradual, even shade. Bonus: it helps hold tattoos wanting recent, making it a terrific on a regular basis lotion for constant tanners. Out there at Amazon
• Australian Gold Fast Tanning Intensifier (£23.99): Good if you wish to construct your base tan shortly with out utilizing DHA or instantaneous bronzers. It preps your pores and skin with Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and Tea Tree Oil – components that soothe, hydrate, and hold your pores and skin barrier comfortable whilst you tan. An important decide for learners or anybody who desires shade with out dedication. Out there at Amazon and Superdrug

The Backside Line: Is It Price Utilizing Tanning Lotion In A Tanning Mattress

If you happen to’re going to tan indoors, tanning lotion is 100% value it. You’ll get higher, deeper, longer-lasting outcomes, your pores and skin will thanks for the hydration, and also you’ll cut back a few of the oxidative stress attributable to UV rays. Simply ensure you’re selecting a salon-approved, indoor-specific method (no outside tanning lotions!) – and don’t be tempted by TikTok DIY hacks that contain cooking oil or expired self-tanner. Please. And keep in mind: regardless of how a lot lotion you utilize, moderation is vital. Your pores and skin is with you for all times. Deal with it prefer it issues.

Bonus tip: If you happen to’re utilizing a tanning mattress frequently, get your pores and skin checked yearly by a dermatologist. It’s simply good.

About Gio

Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that will help you obtain your finest pores and skin day ever – each day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that will help you work out what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that will help you create one of the best skincare routine in your distinctive wants.