Apply an indoor tanning lotion evenly before your session, and never use regular body lotion in a tanning bed.
Using tanning lotion in a tanning bed is different from reaching for any moisturizer on your shelf. You need a product made specifically for indoor tanning, applied evenly before the session starts. Here is the correct process, plus the mistakes that damage beds and waste your money.
Step-By-Step: Applying Tanning Lotion Before Your Session
Indoor tanning lotions are formulated without the heavy oils found in outdoor products. That matters because the acrylic surface of a tanning bed is expensive to replace. Your skin needs to be clean and free of makeup, perfume, and deodorant before you start.
- Shower and dry off completely. Lotion traps water against the skin and creates uneven results.
- Apply a generous amount of indoor tanning lotion to your palms first, then work it across your body in circular motions.
- Cover every area evenly, including the backs of your legs and your shoulders. Missed spots turn into pale patches.
- Let the lotion absorb for a few minutes until your skin no longer feels slick to the touch.
- Put on the protective goggles the salon provides before entering the bed.
Lotions labeled for indoor tanning distribute UV exposure more evenly across the skin and often contain bronzers or moisturizers that improve the final color. Products not made for indoor tanning can leave residue on the acrylic surface, and a tanning-salon guide warns that non-indoor formulas can damage beds. The FDA’s tanning products guidance classifies suntanning preparations as topical cosmetics, but it also stresses they do not protect against UV radiation.
The Common Mistake: Treating Tanning Lotion as Protection
Most tanning lotions contain no sunscreen, and the bed’s UV output reaches your skin regardless of what you apply beforehand. The FDA states that most sunless tanning products do not contain sunscreen, and indoor tanning equipment itself exposes users to UV radiation. A bronzing lotion changes the cosmetic appearance of your skin; it does not block the rays.
If you want color without UV exposure, sunless tanners are the safer route. If you have already decided to use a tanning bed, follow the exposure limits on the device and respect your skin type.
Exposure Time and Safety Rules for Tanning Beds
The tanning bed’s warning and technical labels contain the manufacturer-recommended exposure time for your skin type. The FDA advises against starting with the maximum time, following the recommended limits, and stopping when your session ends. Some salons instruct clients to use a physical acrylic barrier between the skin and the bulbs, which satisfies this guideline automatically.
Certain conditions and medications rule out tanning beds entirely. The FDA’s safety guidance lists these reasons to avoid tanning equipment:
- You are under 18 years old.
- You sunburn easily and do not tan.
- You have a personal or family history of skin cancer.
- You get frequent cold sores or take photosensitizing medicines.
- You have skin lesions or open wounds.
Protective goggles are not optional. The FDA says they should fit snugly and show no cracks; eyelids alone do not block UV damage.
Why Tanning Lotion Choice Matters for Your Skin and the Bed
Your lotion choice affects both the session’s outcome and the equipment. Indoor formulas are water-based and absorb quickly, while outdoor oils sit on the skin and transfer onto the acrylic surface. One roundup of the best beginner tanning lotions walks through formulas that absorb fast and suit first-time users.
The honest caveat: the FDA and Health Canada both advise avoiding tanning beds entirely because UV exposure increases skin-cancer risk. If you still choose to go, use an indoor-specific lotion, follow the bed’s time limits, and never tan more often than the manufacturer recommends for your skin type.
Tanning bed exposure times by skin type
| Skin Type | Typical First Session | Maximum Sessions Per Week |
|---|---|---|
| Fair skin that burns easily | 3-5 minutes | 2-3 |
| Light skin that tans gradually | 5-7 minutes | 3 |
| Medium skin that tans easily | 7-9 minutes | 3-4 |
| Dark skin that rarely burns | 9-11 minutes | 4 |
These are starting-point ranges, not universal rules. The tanning bed’s own label overrides any generic chart because each device has different bulb strength.
References & Sources
- FDA. “Tanning Products.” Covers suntanning preparations as cosmetics and the lack of sunscreen in most formulas.
- FDA. “Sunlamps and Sunlamp Products (Tanning Beds/Booths).” Details exposure limits, goggles, and conditions that rule out tanning.
FAQs
How long should you wait to shower after using tanning lotion?
Can you use regular sunscreen as tanning lotion in a bed?
No. Sunscreen blocks UV rays, which defeats the purpose of using a tanning bed, and its heavy ingredients can damage the acrylic surface. Use a product labeled for indoor tanning instead. These formulas moisturize and condition skin without interfering with the tanning process.
Does tanning bed lotion expire?
Yes. Expired lotion separates, develops a sour smell, and loses effectiveness. Using old product after the listed date can also irritate sensitive skin, since preservatives degrade over time.