Top Seven Tips To Tanning Bed Safety - Ignore Them At Your Peril

Tanning bed safety is your ultimate protection against the negative effects of tanning on your skin. Although most people claim to understand the dangers of tanning beds, rarely do they know the safe facts of tanning beds.

1. Find a great tanning bed

Not only will your tan depend on using a high quality bed in your home but so will your safety. With so many options out there, be sure to research each possible bed in depth before making your big purchase.

If you're visiting a tanning salon, make sure they maintain their beds and check that they have tanning safety advice posters in full view.

2. Use only the best tanning lotions

Your tanning lotion helps determine the amount of UVA and UVB rays reaching your skin. Using hydrating tanning lotions made specifically for tanning beds will help keep your skin young, safe, and luscious.

Due to the ultraviolet rays given out by tanning beds, your skin may age prematurely from the effects of sunburn or skin cancer. Your may also feel sick when the rays from the bed begin to wear away at your immune system.

3. Stay in for the right time

In our endeavors to get great tans, some of us ignore all the safety facts and warnings on our beds. If your maximum exposure time in the tanning bed per day is supposed to be twenty minutes, only stay in the bed for twenty minutes.

4. Use the right protection

Besides great tanning lotions, you should also use protective goggles. Although Federal law doesn't control what you do in your home tanning bed, the guidelines exist to keep your eyes safe and healthy.

5. Check the Wattage

When choosing a tanning bed, there is a lot to know. One of the most important parts of your bed is the wattage that it uses. Tanning beds can be either high output (HO) or very high output (VHO). HO beds use 100 watt lamps, while VHO beds can use up to 168 watt tanning lamps.

Unless you have a special reason for buying a VHO tanning bed, you will probably want to choose an HO bed since they are cheaper and easier to purchase and re-lamp. Some HO beds may try to sell you on them by claiming to have a high UVB, but these lamps will only increase your risk of burning rather than tanning.

6. Check The Safety Advice

Before tanning, you should consider your reactions to sun exposure and your family history. These factors can affect your personal danger when tanning. When visiting the salon, you should always wear the protective safety goggles provided by the company. By being aware of the danger, you can take care of your body and tan safely.

7. Keep up to date

The only way to know what's going on in the tanning bed industry is to keep up. Check for new guidelines, regulations, and safe facts regularly so that your tanning experience is the best.

Knowing the safe facts about tanning will allow you to make the best decisions regarding your tanning bed whether at home or in a salon and to keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come.

Jon Butt is the publisher of [http://www.the-tanning-bed-guide.com] - your friendly experts on how to choose the perfect tanning bed for you, where to get the biggest discounts online, which lotions and accessories will make tanning easier and safer, along with tan-thru clothing, sunless tanning advice and skin care. Visit [http://www.the-tanning-bed-guide.com] todat for more informative articles.

Three Popular Commercial Tanning Beds For Tanning Salons

There are a wide variety of commercial tanning bed styles available, each providing unique features and benefits. Since genetics and skin types vary from person to person, manufacturers make tanning beds to meet the separate needs of different people. One type of tanning bed is not right for all. This is why you need to extensively research tanning beds for sale before making a purchase, as not every tanner will suit your needs, genetics, or skin type. After doing diligent research, you should find the tanning bed that is perfect for you. The following paragraphs detail several popular commercial tanning beds for sale that may be right for you.

The X2 Tanning Bed

Available in a horizontal bed and a vertical bed, the X2 is a popular tanning bed purchased by many people. The X2 has thirty-three lamps placed along each tanning bed. The lamps on the X2 tanning bed usually doubly outperform other tanning bed lamps. Some of the light banks rotate from side to side, ensuring perfect tanning for any shape or size. The X2 is an efficient tanner, completing a tan in only twelve minutes, or fewer than eight minutes for lesser tanning. A big seller, the X2 is a cost effective and excellent tanning bed for sale.

Pacifica Tanning Beds

The Pacifica and Pacifica Enhancing tanning beds are not only energy efficient, but their small size also makes them space efficient. Receiving only positive reviews from industry experts since hitting the market, the Pacifica and Pacifica Enhancing tanning beds are both excellent tanning beds for sale. Taking only about twelve minutes, both Pacifica machines provide an optimal tan in a short amount of time. The Pacifica and Pacifica Enhancing tanning beds can fit into a small 8' X 8' room, just like the small and less efficient twenty-minutes tanning beds. Since Pacifica machines are fast and effective, they will generate twice as much income for tanning salons who seek efficient and cost effective commercial tanning beds.

The Sun Up II Tanning Bed

A 360-degree tanner, the Sun Up II tanning bed can be used vertically instead of horizontally like most of the other tanning beds for sale. A huge seller to many tanning salons through the United States, the Sun Up II tanning bed is a roomy commercial tanning bed. This machine allows users to focus on tanning specific body parts of the body like the face, chest, shoulders, and back of the neck. The Sun Up II is a quick machine that delivers an ideal tan in under nine minutes. The darkest tan only takes up to twelve minutes with the Sun Up II.

Take the time to research the wide variety of commercial tanning beds for sale including the unique features and benefits available with each. Keep your genetics, skin type, space requirements, budget, and tanning desire in mind when choosing the best tanning bed for you. The more you are educated about tanning and the different tanning beds for sale, the better decision you will make when selecting your tanning bed.

About the Author: Christine O'Kelly is an author for Tan America, a commercial tanning bed retailer that offers a wide variety of tanning beds for sale along with many other spa products.

Spray Tanning Facts

Many fair-skinned women desire to have a copper-toned skin color and by achieving this, you need sun exposure. With the growing tested and seen dangers of UV ray exposure, sun tanning is not an option; however, there is still hope. This innovation is called "Sunless Tanning". For this method, you can choose to use tanning lotions, gels, mousses, sun bed or the most popular tool, spray tanning.

The basic ingredient of spray tanning is a substance called DHA (dihydroxyacetone). It is a form of sugar that is derived from a plant source. It is approved by FDA (Federal Drug Administration). It reacts with amino acids found in the dead cells of our skin. Our skin is made up of two layers: the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer). It is in the epidermis where the action takes place. When the DHA adheres with the skin cells, a color change happens giving you a tan, but, everyday, those dead skin cells sloughs off for new cells to appear and the tan comes along with it. That is the reason why the sun-kissed color spray tans fades gradually. Approximately, the tan will last within a week.

Spray tanning is usually done in salons but if you don't want to spend much, spray tanning can be done at home. Just purchase a spray tan can and you can do it yourself if you know how to. But if you don't want blotches in your skin, there are basically two ways to get a spray tan. You can choose from spray tanning booths or get an airbrush tan.

Spray tanning booths work by emitting fine mist of tanning solution. Usually, you can opt to wear a dark-colored two-piece bathing suit while undergoing the process, if you don't want to be unclothed. It only takes a minute to finish the process. Afterwards, you towel-off excess solution. After about an hour or two, the result of spray tanning will take its effect. On the other hand, airbrush tan is done manually by a trained tanning technician. In this process, the technician can make sure that there will be no spots missed during the spray tanning. You can take a shower about 4 hours after the session.

With every process come benefits and side effects. Here are some benefits that you can get from spray tanning:

1. ACCESSIBILITY. You can get a tan whenever you like and wherever you are. This is very beneficial for those who live in places with cold climates wherein the sun barely rises.

2. AVAILABILITY. You can choose among a wide range of spray tan colors, but be careful in choosing the right shade for your skin. You don't want to be an orange lady walking down the street. It is a must to ask for suggestions from a spray tanning technician or you can apply a small amount of solution to a part of your skin to try what's best for you.

3. LESS STAIN. Unlike wet sunless tans like lotions, gels and mousses, spray tanning dries up much faster leaving your clothes less stains.

4. BETTER RESULTS. Doing spray tanning is much better than applying tanning creams and lotions, because it doesn't leave streaks and blotches on your skin.

5. STAYS LONGER. Wet tanning solutions like lotions can only last for 2-3 days while spray tanning can last up to a week or more depending on reaction of your skin.

Some of the side effects though are the following:

1. SKIN CONDITIONS. DHA is a sugar component that can trigger an allergic reaction to the skin causing irritations, allergies or drying-up of the skin. It is better to consult a dermatologist first before undergoing the treatment.

2. LUNG PROBLEMS. Spray tanning releases mists and this could be dangerous to people with sensitive lungs like those with asthma and other breathing disorders. It is advised to just hold your breath for at least 30 seconds or you can use a nose filter during the session. The process will just take awhile.

3. COSTLY. As mentioned, the solution can only last for a week and needs re-application for maintenance. You need to have a stable income for you to achieve that.

4. SUNBURN. Some spray tans don't provide protection from the harmful UV rays from the sun. So, better use a product with sunscreen in it to avoid sunburn.

5. ORANGE HANDS. Home application of spray tans could be complex especially for those who are not an expert in the treatment. You may get stains in your hands if you're not doing it properly. You can wear gloves or rather let someone do it for you, preferable a trained tanning technician to avoid those scary orange hands.

Disasters in spray tanning can occur but you can avoid it by exfoliating first before you go for a session. Do your waxing and shaving prior to tanning. Avoid using perfumes, lotions, deodorants or any cosmetics during the treatment for it may alter the results of spray tanning. You must also rehydrate your skin by drinking water a lot to prevent dryness.

Achieving a perfect spray tan would be a great help in boosting your confidence, but you must first get to learn the "know-how's" to have a great tanned skin.

Ginger Arboleda is the writer and owner of http://www.ManilaReviews.com and http://www.ManilaFitness.com. Please visit these sites to see more of her work. She is a freelance writer at ODesk and Elance. She accepts freelance jobs from various companies and individuals. To get in touch with her, you can email ginger.arboleda@gmail.com.

Sunless Spray Tanning

Using sunless tanning sprays can easily give you the well tanned look we all wish to attain. Tanning automatically takes off a couple of years from your look allowing you to feel better and be more comfortable with yourself. It is an easy and affordable way to get that perfect tan. No more do you need to stay out in the sun or even go to a tanning salon. You can now get a beautiful tanned colour rite at home. Sunless spray tanning has become more popular than ever before, and can be done by anyone. It has evolved into a worldwide trend for all people who wish to have a glowing colour. Whether you wish to have a light tan or even a heavy tan with a self tanning spray it can all be possible.

We are currently living in very hard times financially and self tanning sprays are a good way to get the same tan as in a tanning salon. The cost is cheaper and we all love to save money today. These self tanning sprays are also more convenient for those who feel a bit shy when going into a tanning salon. It can be a great way to get a perfect tan without having anyone know that you were at a tanning salon. Besides tanning sprays one can also try self tanning lotion. As you would with a tanning spray all that is needed is as smooth layer of tan lotion evenly distributed across the area you wish to tan and presto, you have yourself a perfect tan.

Sunless lotions are now being purchased at a much larger scale and have made tanning less of a taboo and more of a style. Whether you choose to apply the sunless lotion or use the self tanning spray it does not matter. Both basically give you the desired tan; however some may find one easier than the other. A lotion tan can be easier for those who wish to simply apply a tan to a certain area without exposing there entire body. People who prefer the self tanning spray, like that it can be sprayed in any way possible and can reach any part of the body. They all have their own advantages and disadvantages but both share the quality of being affordable to the average man or woman and they both are able to give a perfect tan to anyone who desires it.

Some people are not brave enough to tan themselves but this is mostly due to the wide spread rumor that self tanning is hard. If you are able to apply nail polish and dye your hair then you are more than able to use a self tanning spray or self tanning lotion. A perfect tan depends on the individual but with sunless spray tanning you are sure of the result. A great tan every time.

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Indoor Tanning Your Safer Alternative to the Sun

Whether you are trying indoor tanning for the first time to get ready for a vacation or to keep your summer tan all year long, there are rules that should be followed. These rules are necessary for your safety as well as for your health. Many people visit tanning salons thinking that they do not present the same health risks as tanning in the sun. While the risks are less, they are still there.

The traditional tanning salon depends upon the use of a tanning bed to produce a tan for a customer. This process is known to expose the body to the harmful UVA rays and can cause skin cancer. If you are going to use this method of indoor tanning, use a lotion with an SPF of not less than 8, but not more than 15.

Because of the dangers of traditional indoor tanning, and the fact that people still want to maintain a tan throughout the winter, the industry has invented some answers. Sunless tanning booths and sunless tanning products are the most popular choices with consumers. They are safe, look good and are easily applied.

Sunless tanning booths operate by literally spraying a mist that contains DHA to create the illusion of a tan. DHA is the same color additive that is used in cosmetics, it covers the body in a color-in this case a varying degree of tan. This type of tanning has had drawbacks when applying color to the feet and hands of a person, these issues have been addressed and are not a concern in most tanning salons.

A spray on tan does not last long, approximately 3-5 days. For this reason, the tanning industry has developed a number of systems that allow you to perform this procedure in the comfort of your home. These systems can be found in local stores and salons as well as in catalogues and online.

Sunless tanning lotions first made their appearance on the market some time ago. Everyone knows the reputation that these products had for leaving the skin orange instead of tan. These early products turned many consumers off to this alternative to sun tanning. Thankfully, the industry has been working on this particular problem and has solved it for most people. Be careful, however, the cheaper lotions may still turn skin orange.

Sunless tanning lotions work in much the same way as the spray tanners. They coat the skin with a DHA coloring. The biggest difference is that it is applied by hand and at home. It is important to carefully follow all of the instructions for use that are printed on the package. This very important step will help you avoid elbows, feet and hands that appear darker than the rest of your body. This type of a tan lasts about the same as the airbrush solution, about 3-5 days. However, by applying a layer or two everyday, you can build upon the tan that you are creating. Therefore, you are able to control how deep the color of the tan becomes.

Indoor tanning is becoming a safer alternative to lying in the sun. As the population learns more about the dangers of the sun, they are looking for their tan from safer methods.

Linda Moore writes on subjects including health, family matters, personal enrichment, Healthy Tanning [http://www.instant-tanning-beds-lotions-supplies.info] and skin Wrinkle Prevention [http://www.best-anti-aging-no-more-wrinkles-skin-care-cream.info/wrinkleprevention]

Why You Should Consider A Sunless Tanning Lotion

Why should you consider a sunless tanning lotion over natural tanning? I like to look good and get a tan, but tanning in the sun can certainly speed up the aging process as well as other health problems. Sunless tanning lotions are quickly growing in popularity and doctors are happy about it. By using a sunless tanning lotion you can avoid the skin cancer risk that comes from the sun's UV rays. You will also avoid the aging effects of the sun because you will, once again, be avoiding the UV rays that accelerate the onset of wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Sunless tanning lotions are a little time consuming to apply, but they are very easy to use. A tan from these tanning products will generally last for a week and a half before you have to reapply to maintain the tanned look. Initially this may seem like a lot of trouble to go to for a "fake" tan, but you should consider how much you are protecting the health of your skin by avoiding extended exposure to UV rays. Tanning lotions are a great way to keep the tan you love without risking sun damage to your skin.

In the past, sunless tanning lotions were a little splotchy and tended to give the skin a bit of an orange tinge. However, if you haven't checked out a tanning lotion lately you are probably not aware of all the improvement. Now, these sunless tanning lotions give a natural tan that will peak around 24 hours after application to the skin.

Another benefit of sunless tanning is for those who cannot tan in the sun for various reasons. Perhaps you have really fair skin, freckles, or very light hair that make natural tanning a bit of a problem. Also, if you have a family history of skin cancer, your doctor may have advised you to avoid tanning. With a sunless tanning lotion, you will be able to get that tanned look without risking your skin's health - and most tanning lotions have built in anti aging skin care features.

You can also use a sunless tanning lotion with your traditional tan. If you like to go to the tanning bed or lay out at the beach on occasion, then use the tanning lotion to cut back a little. You can use the sunless tanning lotions to help maintain your tan and lengthen the times between trips to the bed or the beach with limited protection. You will have the look you want but without all of the time under the UV rays that can be so unhealthy do you.

Sunless tanning lotions are most beneficial because they are a health benefit. Using them isn't necessarily helpful, but it can keep you from doing something that can be very unhealthy. It is a proven fact that the sun's UV rays can cause skin cancer and accelerate the aging process in people. If you want a tan then you are probably already worried a little bit about how you look, so why speed up aging? Sunless tanning lotions are a fantastic alternative to beds and beaches. You can get your tanned look while avoiding the cancer and aging risks.

If you would like to view more of my articles on skin care, please feel free to visit my sunless tanning lotion website!

Learn the Comparisons Between Sunless Tanning Methods

The idea of being able to achieve a beautiful tan without the sun has been popular since medical discoveries showed that the sun is a major contributor to cancer of the skin. Since that time, it has been a race to create the best sunless tanning products for a demanding public. Very few people wish to risk the harmful rays of the sun just to get a tan.

Today there are various ways of getting a golden tan that requires no sun exposure whatsoever. If you are looking for a sunless tan, you have come to the right place for more information. There are many techniques and choosing among them can be difficult, so here is a bit more information to make it a little easier.

Sunless tanning products and techniques vary to a degree. It is helpful to know the similarities and differences of all methods before choosing. Here are a few comparisons of sunless tanning techniques.

Key Factors

When you are considering a sunless tan, you should consider four common factors. Each method will vary slightly across these factors. The things you want to consider are convenience, cost, safety and results. Which is more important will be a matter of personal preference.

Your Choices

You will have many choices in products, however the most popular choices today include sunless tanning sprays, sunless tanning lotions or creams, tanning pills and tanning booths. Each one of these will of course function differently and your results will vary as well.

Method Results

Sunless tanning in general is a method that can give you results much more quickly than the traditional option. Getting a tan from the sun can take several days or even weeks to accomplish safely. Results for sunless tanning techniques will vary from one another.

For the longest effect you will probably want to use a tanning booth or bed, these are the closest imitators of sun exposure. Nevertheless, if you are only looking for a tan that will last a few days to a week you might prefer the sunless tanning sprays. Sprays and tanning lotions are about the same when it comes to how long the color will stick with you.

Other results you will want to pay attention to include the skin tone or color you will end up with. Some products, for instance, will give you a tan that looks quite artificial. On the other hand, some will give a natural looking glow.

These results can also vary depending of the skill of the professional who is applying them. For example with the airbrush, method of sunless tanning your results will depend very much on the skill of the practitioner. Achieving a sunless tan that provides even coloring can be a difficult task, even for those who are trained. Your salon or professional should be extremely skilled at airbrushing for your tan to look even.

When it is an even sunless tan, you are looking for there are tanning pills you can take to achieve this effect. Keep in mind however that these pills contain caretenoid pigments, which in large amounts can often turn skin an orange hue. The sunless tanning pills work by affecting the fat layers that are just below your skin.

Price

Using the sun to acquire a tan is nice because it is free! When you have access to the warm sun, you will never have to spend your hard-earned money on a tan. Unfortunately, this is not the case for sunless tanning products, there will be a price attached to your tan and it will depend on the method you choose and the skin tone you desire.

Each of the techniques have their own cost range. There are those products that will only cost you a few dollars and there are techniques that can easily cost you a few hundred dollars. The choice is yours, and will only depend on how much your are willing to splurge on your golden tan.

Tanning lotions are traditionally the cheapest method. As a rule, they will be easily available at your favorite beauty store and will only run you a few dollars. Tanning pills will be next in line on the economic scale. If you have, money to spend you might opt for the airbrush method of sunless tanning. Tanning beds are the most expensive since you must use specialized equipment at a tanning salon.

Safe

Tanning beds and pills are still controversial when it comes to the subject of safety. Beds and booths use UV bulbs that emit rays that can still cause cancer. Tanning pills have not been on the market that long and must be taken internally, the long term side effects may not have been discovered yet.

Convenient

Finally, you must examine which is more convenient for you. Overall, the tanning pills are probably the easiest followed by lotions and or sprays. The tanning bed or booth will be a little less convenient as most people will have to go to the salon to use the equipment.

Gaetane Ross is a Certified Natural Health Consultant who has spent over 6 years focusing on Nutrition and Health. She also specializes in Alternative Medicine, Spiritual Healing and Healthy Lifestyle.

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Skin Type and Indoor Tanning

Almost anyone can enjoy indoor tanning. However, you need to know a few things about yourself so that you can engage in safe indoor tanning practices using the right tanning lotions and other tanning products. One of the major things that you need to know about yourself is what your skin type is. This will help you determine how long to tan, what types of tanning lotion to use and how to best protect yourself from the risks that are associated with indoor tanning. You will want to work with a professional at your tanning salon to determine the exact details about indoor tanning for your skin type but you can figure out some of the basics on your own so that you have a good starting point.

It is generally agreed that there are six different skin types in terms of tanning. The characteristics of those basic skin types are as follows:

1. Lightest skin tone. People with very pale skin that sometimes appears almost white or translucent fall into this category. These people also have light-colored eyes. This skin type has trouble tanning naturally and burns very easily. People with this skin type have to be very careful when indoor tanning. They should be extra cautious to use the right tanning lotion and to work with their salon professionals to limit their sessions appropriately. Some people with skin type one will find that indoor tanning is too much for their skin and they can't do it safely.

2. Light skin tone. People with this skin tone are very similar to those in the first category. However, they do sometimes tan naturally without burning if they are careful in using outdoor tanning lotion and sun protection. These people benefit greatly from indoor tanning where they can use the right tanning lotion and timing to create a controlled environment that allows them to tan without burning. Limited exposure in the tanning bed is recommended as is gradual build-up of the tan. People with a light skin tone should not look for quick results.

3. Light brown skin tone. People with light brown skin as well as light brown hair and eyes will find that indoor tanning works well for them. These people often burn outdoors but this burn regularly turns into a tan after the burn fades. Using the right tanning lotion, people with a light brown skin tone can safely tan indoors, avoiding the burn and getting the desired tan.

4. Light olive skin. People with this skin tone will get a sunburn if they are outdoors in the sun too long but will also tan easily. Using the right tanning lotion and tanning habits, they can get a great tan from tanning indoors.

5. Dark brown skin. People with dark brown skin tend to tan easily outdoors and will find that they see the same results with indoor tanning.

6. Black skin. People with what is considered to be black skin rarely burn and are less likely to use products to assist with tanning. People with this skin type will tan well in an indoor tanning salon. They should use tanning lotions which moisturize the skin to increase the evenness of the tan and improve the glow behind the tan.

Knowing your skin type will help you figure out what kind of tanning products are right for you and how safe indoor tanning may be. Unless you have unusually light skin or some extraneous condition, indoor tanning should be safe for you if you follow the proper procedures and use the right products.

Eric Bramlett is the developer of TanTans.com, an ultra premium Tanning Lotion website & vendor. TanTans.com offers premium tanning lotion at discount, wholesale prices. Visit http://www.TanTans.com today for all of your indoor tanning & skin care needs!

Thinking of a Spray on Tan?

Are you sick of your pale white skin and wanting to try out a spray on tan? After all with the likes of Paris Hilton and other celebrities getting spray on tans and looking great, spray on tans are quite popular these days. Many people swear by spray on tans, and they are better for you than exposing yourself to the suns harmful rays, or the UV-rays of a tanning bed to get that golden bronzed look.

Do you remember the old tanning products from years ago that used to produce streaky orange tans? Sunless tanning products have vastly improved in recent years, and it is possible to have that glowing brown skin that you have been dreaming of by getting a spray on tan. So rest assured, the products have much improved over the years. No more orange streaky tans in this day and age.

You might be wondering just how a spray on tan works. Spray on tans use a chemical called DHA which interacts with the amino acids in the dead layer of your skin. All the chemicals in spray on tan solutions have been used in cosmetics and food products for years and should not cause an allergic reaction. If you are worried about an allergic reaction, ask the salon staff for a complete list of ingredients in the tanning solution so you can review it prior to getting your spray on tan.

There are a few other things you should know about before getting your tan. You should exfoliate your skin just before you get the tan so the tanning solution will spread evenly over your skin without streaking. Pay special attention to exfoliating your hands and knuckles so you do not wind up with brown knuckles.

When you get your spray on tan, the person giving you the tan should have you put a blocker on your hands to prevent the palms of your hands from tanning since that is not a natural place to tan. If they do not have a blocker for the spray on tan to put on your palms, you can bring some Vaseline with you and put it on the palm of your hands, in between your fingers, and on the tops of your nails to prevent the tanning from occurring in those areas for a more natural look.

Be aware that you will not be able to take a shower for 6-8 hours after you get your spray on tan so the tanning solution will set. You might feel icky and sticky and want a shower afterward, but if you take one you will create blotches and streaks in your new tan. You must wait until it sets.

If there are any areas that did get stained during your spray on tan, such as the palms of your hands, you can apply a little lemon juice on them, or if all else fails, a little bleach on a sponge to remove the stain.

Once your tan is set, after 6-8 hours you should moisturize it to keep it looking its best. Warning - do not moisturize before you get your spray on tan or it will result in a blotchy tan. Wait until 6-8 hours after you have gotten your tan to start moisturizing. Moisturizing should help your tan wear off evenly as well.

You can wear whatever you like while you are getting your spray on tan. Some people get their tan in the nude. The tanning booth should be totally private. If you do wear clothing into the tanning booth, be aware that the DHA may cause permanent stains on whatever you wear.

Your ability to tan naturally will not be affected by the spray on tan. You will be able to continue to get a tan naturally in the sun or in a tanning bed if you like with your sunless tan.

Your spray on tan should last about a week. You might only want to get a spray on tan for a special event or just to try it out to see if you like it. Going once a week to get your tan sprayed on may be cost prohibitive as a single spray on tan costs approximately 30 dollars. Many salons do have packages that you might want to look into for a group of tans at a reduced cost if you are interested in weekly tanning sessions.

Julie Chrisler writes articles on a wide variety of topics. You can find sunless tanning products and more information on her blog about self tanning http://www.BestSunless.com.

Tanning 101 - When Should I Use Tanning Lotion?

"Nobody has to sell you on the use of tanning lotion. You already know that it is important to use tanning lotion to get a better tan at a faster rate with less risk of damage from the sun. And you might even know that using tanning lotion has a number of additional benefits such as moisturizing your skin to act as an anti-aging agent. But that doesn't mean that you know everything that there is to know about tanning lotion. Many people know that they need to use the product but are confused about the details, such as how much tanning lotion to use and what kind of tanning lotion to use. And one of the most commonly asked questions about tanning lotion is when to use it.

Here are the basics that you should know about when to use tanning lotion:

o Before you tan. Tanning lotion helps to even out the tan and speed up to process of tanning so you should apply it before you tan. How much before depends on your tanning lotion and your tanning habits. Read the instructions on your tanning lotion and talk with someone at your salon to figure out how soon before your tan to apply the lotion.

o Before bed. Many people use tanning lotions that are applied before they go to bed. They soak into the skin during sleep and are effective the following day. Some people find that this is great because they can put on old clothes and go to sleep without having to think about the lotion ruining their daily wear or affecting their routine.

o At the end of your tan. Many people use a tanning lotion extender at the end of their tan. What this product does is allows your body to continue tanning even though you're leaving the salon (or the sun). Using the right tanning lotion at this time can give you a better tan with less effort on your part.

o Daily. Many people use a low-level tanning lotion on a daily basis to help moisturize their skin and prevent aging effects of the sun. This also enhances the tan.

o Understand that there are going to be variations in when you should use tanning lotion depending on your personal tanning details. Your skin tone, texture, tanning plan, tanning goals and other highly personal factors will affect when you should use tanning lotion. Discuss these details with a professional at a local indoor tanning salon to make sure that you use tanning lotion in the way that's right for you.

You've already gotten your basics covered if you know that you need to use tanning lotion to get a good tan. Working out the details of the right tanning lotion and tanning practices for your body is just a matter of investing a little bit more time in finding out what works for you. Before you know it, you'll feel like an expert on when to use tanning lotion and other details about tanning!"

Baxter Owens is the developer of TanTans.com, an ultra premium Tanning Lotion website & vendor. TanTans.com offers premium tanning lotion at discount, wholesale prices. Visit TanTans.com today for all of your indoor tanning & skin care needs!

Try Wolff Tanning Bed Parts

Do you own a tanning salon? Maybe you just have your very own tanning bed and need replacement parts. Wolff tanning bed parts are well-made and reasonably priced.

You can find easily find these tanning bed parts online. Generally speaking tanning bed parts are easy to order and arrive quickly. Most Wolff tanning bed parts are easy to install.

One often overlooked but necessary tanning bed part includes tanning lamps. These tanning bed parts are a very important part of the tanning bed. These lamps are vital to the correct functioning of your tanning bed.

Wolff tanning bed parts are among the most popular for many reasons. If you need lamps try the Wolff System Velocity sunlamps. These efficient lamps will ensure that tanners receive a good tan. When you buy Wolff System Velocity sunlamps you are purchasing a tanning lamp that should last 1000 hours.

Wolff tanning lamps also offer an advanced, proprietary phosphor mix. They have a double baked phosphor that provides even tanning and a nice dark tan as well. These tanning bed parts have scientifically measured amounts of UVB and UVA. Because of this you will achieve a lovely, rich tan that will make all of your friend green with envy.

Another feature of this particular brand of tanning bed parts is the fine design of each product. Dedicated employees and designers are always working on the latest technology in order to make sure you get the best tanning part for your money.

Wolff tanning bed parts are made from the latest materials and quality assurance is important to the company. You can be assured that when you buy any tanning bed product or parts with the name Wolff they have been tested before they leave the factory.

Wolff tanning bed parts are a good choice and will provide you with high quality tanning bed products and tanning bed lamps at good prices.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Tanning-Bed-Solutions.com. He provides more tanning bed information on tanning bed bulbs, tanning bed lotions and home tanning bed information [http://www.tanning-bed-solutions.com/home-tanning-beds.html] that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Home Spray Tanning

So how can we visit the beach or look good with a great tan without getting burnt by the sun or risking skin cancer from over exposure?

Like the words in the song "wear sunscreen"

But this kind of defeats the point; sun worshippers like me simply want a great sun tan to look good on holiday and at home.

Help is at hand though because you can achieve a safe sun tan by utilizing products like a home spray tan or tanning lotion. The idea being you use the sun free, self tanning products to achieve a fantastic tan for the whole family at home before you step out into the sun.

Now you can wear a high factor sun screen on top of your beautifully bronzed body. No one will ever know you looked like a bottle of milk only yesterday!

Are Tanning Beds Safe?

A safe sun tan is not going to be achieved on the tanning bed without a considerable investment in expensive tan accelerators at a well serviced sun bed salon. So to answer the questions are tanning beds safe?

Again the scientists and the health professionals say no!

However my question to you is, what's the point? It takes a series of sun bed sessions over an extended period of time that costs good money and soaks up your valuable time. Alternatively you can use Safe; Self Tanning products which you can apply in 5 minutes go to bed in six minutes and wake up in the morning with a beautiful bronzed body!

Protect Yourself and Protect Your Family.

The bottom line is this, today we have new technology and new products that allow us to have wonderful golden bronzed bodies and to do this with safe moisturising products that are much cheaper than a session on the sun beds, take a fraction of the time of the sun bed and we eliminate all of the danger associated with over exposure to UVB and UVA rays.

That's got to be worth a safe tan for you and your family?

There are many sunfree tanning products on the market so there is plenty of choice. You get what you pay for though so be careful and do not buy cheap either you will turn orange or be as streaky as a zebra.

How can consumers decide which the best sunfree tanning products is?

Easy! Look for manufacturers or retailers who offer full money back guarantee if you are not happy with your purchase.

How to achieve the perfect bronzed sun tanned body?

To achieve the perfect tan and be safe on the beach all day or if you just want to tan to look and feel good follow these steps and you will have a beautiful sun kissed bronze body and beautiful soft skin!

The starting point on how to tan is always this. If you expose skin to the sun for more than 15 minutes you are going to start to get sunburn, particularly if you are fair skinned. You must always use a high factor sunscreen or cover exposed skin.

How to tan without the scientific jargon.

As you are aware the human body sheds it's skin on a regular cycle therefore our skin is forever been renewed, this is why a natural tan or a fake tan will dissipate over five to ten days. There are ways of achieving slightly longer lasting tans but this is only by a small margin.

Best Fake Tan Preparation

To start you should shower and thoroughly exfoliate using an efficient body scrub and a milder facial scrub. This will remove the top layer of dead and dying skin hence giving you an extra day or so of gorgeous tan.

The sun's rays are very dangerous to unprotected exposed skin so we will never recommend "sun tanning" in the traditional sense as a method to achieve your ideal tan.

How to Self Tan

After showering and exfoliating, wait until the body is thoroughly dry following the exfoliating regime above.

For the most luxurious result: next use an "age defying" conditioner all over the body, your skin will love you and your tan will glow. So moisturize with a product like Hempz Age Defying Moisturizer and allow this to soak in for about two hours before the next step. Then apply either your home spray tan or tanning lotion into all areas of the skin up to the bottom of the neck. Now wash hands thoroughly (if you did not wear glove) dry hands and prepare to tan your face.

Using the high quality face tanning lotion apply a small amount of product to the hands and work into your neck throat and face as if it were your moisturizer. Go put the kettle on have a cup of tea and by this time your fake tan should have completely absorbed into the skin and your skin should be silky smooth.

POINT TO NOTE: If you buy a cheap brand of fake tanning product it will take much longer to absorb into the skin.

Providing you selected a good brand you should now be able to get dressed or go to bed without staining your clothes or bedding. The fake tan will take between two and four hours to activate completely.

Now you have the perfect tan.

How to Stay Safe on The Beach

By now you have the perfect tan and you are ready to strut your stuff on the beach. About 30 minutes before you leave home or your apartment apply an SPF30 sunscreen lotion all over your body including your face, neck, throat, nose, lips and ears. Not forgetting your feet, toes and soles.

Imagine how good your day is going to be when you don't have to worry about getting nasty peeling sunburn. You walk calmly onto the beach fully protected and have a great day at the envy of all of your friends and onlookers. 

Over many years I watched my wife suffer on the beach, turning like on a spit trying to achieve an even tan, and then she would turn a painful red and eventually peel and then to cap it all 10 days later she was back to milk bottle white and had dry skin. After much research I found a body care and tanning regime for my wife and I that is so good that we decided to buy all of the products and sell them with free delivery to all who would like a perfect tan and perfect skin!

You can find the results of our work and research here at: [http://www.selfspraytans.co.uk].

We hope you enjoy reading our website and we would welcome your questions.

Mick Say

Sun Tan & Cancer - A Very Scottish Affair

There is growing concern about the link between cosmetic sun bed use and the rising incidence of skin cancer in Scotland. This issue was highlighted at the Scotland Against Cancer conference last year at which a case was made for thorough regulation of sun bed operators. It was felt that tighter controls could have a positive impact on skin cancer prevention efforts.

Individuals and organisations with an interest in skin cancer prevention have continued to express concern about rising sun bed use and the effect this may have on levels of skin cancer which is the fastest rising cancer in Scotland, and a particular problem in the West of Scotland. The risk of skin cancer is related to lifetime exposure to ultraviolet light and intense exposure to such light is the most dangerous to the skin. For example, too much time spent in the sun on holidays abroad or excessive time spent in the sun on the occasional hot day in Scotland, constitutes this type of exposure.

Sun bed use also provides a form of intense exposure to ultraviolet light. Just one session a month will double the average individual's annual dose of ultraviolet radiation. Sun bed use is on the rise in Scotland and there is now a significant body of evidence to suggest that the sunbed industry suffers from a lack of regulation. Cases of malpractice by operators have been documented in a survey by the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS). In particular there is evidence that children, who are especially sensitive to ultraviolet light, are now regularly using sunbeds. Just one day of burning as a child increases the risk of getting skin cancer as an adult.

Tanning in General

Tanning is your body's natural protection against sunburn; it's what your body is designed to do. Developing a tan is your body's natural way of protecting against the dangers of sunburn and further exposure.

Whether you tan outdoors under the sun or indoors in a tanning facility, the tanning process is the same. This natural process takes place when your skin is exposed to ultraviolet light. Light is composed of energy waves that travel from the sun to the Earth. Each energy wave can be identified by its length in nanometres, (nm), which is one-billionth of a meter. Light can be broken into three general categories: infrared, visible and invisible. Ultraviolet light is in the invisible light spectrum. There are three kinds of ultraviolet light: UVA, UVB and UVC. Tanning itself takes place in the skin's outermost layer, the epidermis. There are three major types of skin cells in your epidermis: basal cells, keratinocytes and melanocytes. All play different roles in the tanning process. Everyone has roughly the same number of melanocytes in their bodies--about 5 million. Your heredity determines how much pigment your melanocytes can produce. Melanocytes release extra melanosomes whenever ultraviolet light waves touch them. This produces a tan in your skin.

Skin Types

I. - Always burns; never tans, pale white skin; "Celtic"

II. - Burns easily; tans minimally; White skin

III. - Burns moderately; tans gradually to light brown average; Caucasian skin

IV. - Burns minimally, always tans well to moderately brown; Olive skin

V. - Rarely burns; tans profusely to dark; Brown skin

VI. - Never burns; deeply pigmented; Black skin

Effects of UV

There is a body of scientific research demonstrating that the production of the activated form of vitamin D is one of the most effective ways the body controls abnormal cell growth. Moderate exposure to sunlight is only way for the body to manufacture the vitamin D necessary for producing activated vitamin D.A 1997 report by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine recommends 200 IU/day of vitamin D for women aged 50 years or younger, 400 IU/day for those aged 51-70 and 600 IU/day for those older than 70. Moderate exposure to sunlight helps the body manufacture vitamin D and eating salmon or mackerel and drinking fortified milk or juices is a step in the right direction. The amount of vitamin D formed in a given period of exposure depends on the colour of your skin--that is, how rich your skin is in melanin. Melanin absorbs UV radiation. Therefore it diminishes the production of vitamin D. The darker a person's skin, the longer he or she has to be in the sun or exposed to UVB radiation to form a significant amount of vitamin D.

Like melanin, sunscreen also absorbs UV radiation and therefore greatly diminishes the skin's vitamin D production. For example, sunscreen with a PDF of 8 diminishes a person's ability to produce vitamin D by 95%. In addition, winter sunlight in the northern latitudes does not have enough UVB radiation to produce vitamin D in the skin leading to diminished vitamin D levels in winter.

Moderate exposure is the most responsible way to maximize the potential benefits of sun or UV exposure while minimizing the potential risks associated with either too much or too little sunlight. Avoiding sunburns is critical to moderation. Experiencing painful sunburns before the age of 20--not lifetime exposure to the sun--is the factor associated with an increased risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

History and Facts of Indoor Tanning

Europeans started tanning indoors with sunlamps that emitted ultraviolet (UV) light as a therapeutic exercise to harness the positive psychological and physiological effects of exposure to UV light. This practice became widespread in Europe, particularly in the sun-deprived northern countries by the 1970s--several years before the first indoor tanning facility was established in the UK. Although indoor tanning is considered a cosmetic exercise the roots are therapeutic and many people do in fact visit tanning facilities for that purpose.

The indoor tanning industry has grown substantially in 25 years. Today it is a strong part of the small business community. And each year about 10 percent of the public visits an indoor tanning facility. This business is estimated to be worth £3 billion worldwide.

The indoor tanning industry's position is summed up in this declaration:

"Moderate tanning, for individuals who can develop a tan, is the smartest way to maximize the potential benefits of sun exposure while minimizing the potential risks associated with either too much or too little sunlight."

The indoor tanning salon industry claims to be part of the solution in the ongoing battle against sunburn by teaching people how to identify a proper and practical life-long skin care regimen. No legislation covers indoor tanning just the following government guidance:

"Like the sun, sun-beds give out UV rays that can increase the risk of skin cancer. The more you use sunbeds, the greater the risk is likely to be and when the tan fades, the skin damage remains. If you're under 16 you should never use a sunbed, as young skin is more delicate and prone to damage than older skin. Even if you are over 16 you should be very careful if you choose to use one. You should also really avoid sunbeds altogether if you:

a. - have fair or freckly skin

b. - burn easily

c. - have a lot of moles

d. - have a family history of skin cancer

e. - use medication that increases your sensitivity to UV.

If you do decide to use one, limit yourself to two sessions a week, over a period of 30 weeks, every year. But remember that if you don't tan in the sun, you won't tan any more easily on a sunbeds."

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer has a 20- to 30-year latency period. The rates of skin cancer we are seeing today are most likely the result of bad habits from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s that were based on ignorance and misinformation about sun tanning. In those days, many people still considered sunburns an inconvenient right of spring, a precursor to developing a summer tan. People believed that sunburns would "fade" into tans, and so tanners hit the beaches with baby oil and reflectors. Severe burns were commonplace. Today we know how reckless and uninformed that approach was. What's more, the photobiology research community has determined that most skin cancers are related to a strong pattern of intermittent exposure to ultraviolet light in people who are genetically predisposed to skin cancer. These skin cancers are not simply the result of cumulative exposure. Once again, this suggests that heredity and a pattern of repeated sun burning are the primary factors associated with skin cancer.

Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes). An increased risk of melanoma has been associated with people who have moles or repeated sunburn experiences as a child or young adult. Most melanomas occur on non-sun-exposed parts of the body. For example, melanoma is infrequently found on the face. Although melanoma accounts for only 5% of all newly diagnosed skin cancer cases each year, it is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Melanoma is the only form of skin cancer that is aggressive with any regularity.

Heredity, fair skin, an abnormally high number of moles on one's body (above 40) and a history of repeated childhood sunburns have all been implicated as potential risk factors for this disease. As a nation high in Celtic heredity Scotland needs to consider these facts.

Scotland's Skin Cancer Epidemic

Scotland may be experiencing a skin cancer epidemic with the incidence of skin cancer tripling in the last thirty years. There were over 7,000 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in 2001, up from 2,200 in 1975 and higher rates of melanoma incidence have been reported in Scotland than in the rest of the UK.

In the age group 20-39 years, malignant melanoma is the second most common cancer in the UK. This is an unusually young age distribution for an adult cancer and emphasises the importance of its prevention and early treatment to avert the potential loss of many years of life.

On average, about 20 years of life are lost for each melanoma death in the UK.

The NHS and a number of cancer charities have most clearly linked the steep rise in incidence to changing cultural perceptions of a tan as desirable and the steep rise in the number of people taking holidays in the sun.

Tanning grew significantly in popularity through the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s and as skin cancer may take 20 or more years to develop; the high rates of skin cancer can be expected to continue for many years to come.

Mortality from skin cancer, particularly melanoma, it's most aggressive form, has not fallen despite major public health initiatives to raise awareness of sun protection and skin cancer. Attempts are being made by health promotion agencies to tackle this growing problem through encouraging people to change their behaviour on holiday and convincing Scots to take care on sunny days at home.

Another source of ultraviolet light is that derived from sunbed use and medical evidence on the risk of sunbeds to health is increasing. Sunbeds have been linked to a variety of negative health effects, including eye damage, photodermatosis, photosensitivity, premature skin ageing and skin cancer.

Ultraviolet rays from sunbeds have been classified as Group 2A carcinogens by the International Association for Research into Cancer (IARC) that is, "probably causing cancer in humans." Recent analyses from studies in different countries over the last ten years have shown that the use of sunbeds increased the risk of cancer and the risk appears to be higher if use begins early in life.

Furthermore, in the UK a significant study from the British Medical Association found that sunbed users were 2.5 times more likely to develop skin cancer. The risks appear to be higher in the young.

A model has been developed to estimate human ultraviolet exposure to both sunlight and sunbeds, and this information was used to predict the contribution of sunbeds to melanoma mortality in the UK. The results of this study indicate that sunbeds cause 100 deaths from melanomas each year in the UK

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended in 2005 that no one under 18 should use a sunbed and that there is a need for guidelines or legislation to reduce the risks associated with sunbed use. WHO argues that growth in the use of sunbeds, combined with the desire and fashion to have a tan, are considered to be the prime reasons behind the fast growth in skin cancers in developed countries. The highest rates are found predominantly in those countries where people are fairest-skinned and where the sun tanning culture is strongest: Australia, New Zealand, North America and northern Europe. The people of Scotland are particularly fair-skinned and therefore at relatively high risk of developing skin cancer.

Risk Associated with Sunbeds Use

Despite common claims, radiation from sunbeds is no safer than exposure to the sun itself. The emission from many sunbeds is greater than that from the midday sun in the Mediterranean. The UVA portion of the emission spectrum can be 10-15 times higher than that of the midday sun.

A 1986 survey found that people believed that sunbeds cause less damage to skin than outdoor tanning. This is partly because of the marketing of sunbeds as a way of getting a 'safer', 'controlled' tan. Positive health claims are still being used to market cosmetic sunbeds.

In 2005 the action of ultraviolet light on skin to synthesise Vitamin D in the body was used in an advertisement funded by The Sunbed Association to promote the use of sunbeds as healthy. When a consumer complained about the inference, the Advertising Standards Authority upheld the complaint, in recognition of the fact that health professionals do not recommend sunbeds as the main source of Vitamin D, because of the risk associated with skin damage and cancer.

This was also the conclusion of the recent American Academy of Dermatology conference in May 2005. This conference reviewed evidence and recommended that Vitamin D supplements are a safer, cheaper and better alternative to raise Vitamin D levels than ultraviolet light, especially for the frail elderly and possibly for dark-skinned people with low sun exposure. Because of the documented causal relationship between skin cancer and sunbeds, many international and UK health organizations have publicly recommended that sunbeds should not be used, or their use should be limited and regulated to protect public health.

Lack of Regulation

There exists no relevant legislation other than the general Health and Safety guidance, mentioned earlier, to control the use of sunbeds.

The HSE has issued guidelines and cosmetic sunbed premises and machines are subject to the requirements of health and safety legislation in Scotland. Control of exposure is governed by the general provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999.

To comply with this legislation, duty holders are required to assess the health and safety risks caused by their work activities which will include the risks to employees and customers from exposure to ultraviolet radiation and put in place measures to control these risks as far as is reasonably practicable.

Specific guidance has been issued by the HSE on Controlling the Risks from the Use of Ultraviolet Tanning Equipment and can be found at:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg209.pdf

Some businesses operate under a voluntary code of conduct agreed by the Sunbed Association. The Sunbed Association claims 20-25% of cosmetic sunbed premises are in membership. Consequently, with those numbers, voluntary arrangements can only have limited effect.

Although the Sunbed Association provides training schedules, there appears to be no requirement for training associated with the use of non-therapeutic UV radiation. The responsibility is on the provider to supply appropriate information that will allow potential clients to make an informed decision about whether or not sunbeds are suitable for their use. International legislation is diverse but it is significant that the need for regulation is recognized in France, Belgium, Sweden, Canada and the USA. European standards exist to regulate ultraviolet lamp emission strength and sunbed products.

The Case for Sunbed Salon Licensing

It is only within the last decade that public health authorities in Scotland have begun to highlight the health risks associated with sunbed use and in particular, the increased risk of developing skin cancer. In the past, many local authorities provided tanning facilities within their own leisure centres. The association of sunbeds with leisure facilities reinforced the perception that a tan is a sign of good health. Fortunately, over the last decade most sunbeds have been removed from local authority premises. In the main, this has been done because local authorities perceive this to be an action they can take to discourage the use of sunbeds for cosmetic tanning purposes, and to highlight the dangers associated with use.

In addition, the problem of skin cancer has often been viewed as a local community issue, with the subsequent onus on local authorities to take action. However, while the provision of sunbeds in local authority facilities has decreased, the number of commercial sunbed premises has increased.

Furthermore, there are growing concerns that some cosmetic sunbed premises are poorly run and offer little advice on the health risks associated with sunbed use.

A 2003 REHIS survey of 794 cosmetic sunbed premises in all 32 Scottish local authority areas identified a number of un-staffed and unsupervised premises and salons that were failing to check the age of customers or enquire about skin type or medical conditions which may deem sunbed use particularly ill advisable. In addition, the survey highlighted a number of salons that were failing to offer customers adequate eye protection.

Surveys in the UK and North America show that tanning salon operators typically show ignorance of sunbed risks and fail to enforce rules for using sunbeds.

The University of Dundee and Perth and Kinross Council in a joint study of privately operated premises in Tayside revealed the following major incidences of poor practice:

o 89% exercised no administrative control on the number of sessions/customer

o 81% failed to give adequate advice to customers

o 59% maintained no customer records

o 33% displayed no guidance to users

The recent change by many commercial operators to adopt more powerful UV lamps using shorter wavelengths has led to even greater concern amongst health professionals. An assessment by the Photobiology Unit at the University of Dundee Ninewells Hospital concluded that "all tanning units are potentially harmful and that the newer stand-up type has a much greater risk than has been generally appreciated.

Scottish Executive Proposal

Compel local authorities to issue licences regulating cosmetic sunbeds premises. Require providers of cosmetic tanning facilities, or equipment, to obtain a licence to operate from the local authority. The licensing conditions would be set so that local authorities could:

o Prevent the use of sunbeds by children

o Protect adults from over-exposure

o Ensure that sunbed users are supervised

o End the use of coin-operated machines

o Ensure that sunbed sessions are monitored and limited

o Provide health risk information in sunbed parlours

o Inspect premises

The proposal seeks to achieve a number of objectives. By providing health risk information it aims to ensure adults are equipped to make informed choices about the risks of sunbed use. The conditions of licensing would require staff to be on premises, which would help to prevent overexposure to ultraviolet light, especially by those who are more sensitive such as users with fair skins. Reduce the number of burns and accidents currently attributed to the misuse of unsupervised equipment and would drive up standards amongst operators. Premises not holding a licence would not be permitted to trade.

The lack of sunbed regulation in commercial premises and the damaging impact this can have, is best illustrated by example.

In the summer of 2004, two young boys aged 11 and 13 years old used unsupervised sunbeds in Stirling and were so badly burnt, they had to be admitted to hospital. Stirling Council environmental health officers were alerted to investigate the incident but because there was no legislation covering the regulation of sunbeds, action could not be taken against the salon for being un-staffed or for allowing young people under the age of 16 years to use a sunbed.

Impact of Licensing Scheme

It is anticipated that those businesses which could not meet a licensing requirement would be required to either invest in their businesses or be forced to cease trading. This would also eliminate the existence of coin-operated sunbed machines as well as the presence of un-staffed locations.

The cost of a licensing scheme must be balanced against the cost of reducing the harm caused by sunbeds. Although there would also be an administrative charge to operators of premises, in the long run the regulations would reduce the number of Scots - presently around 7,000 per year - who are being treated for skin cancer by the National Health Service.

Conclusion

Scotland needs to take action to tackle skin cancer and the public health message that sunbeds are potentially dangerous needs to be heard loud and clear. A system of licensing for sunbed salons could do for skin cancer what the health warning on packs of cigarettes has done for lung cancer.

It would introduce health controls in an otherwise very unregulated area, it would protect our young people and children from harm and it would raise public awareness of the dangers of skin cancer.

It is suggested that the voluntary regulation scheme is ineffective, and there may be a need for formal regulation in this area. Regulating sunbeds to ensure that children do not use them and to ensure that all users are aware of the risks associated with sunbed use, could be a major step forwards in the drive to control Scotland's skin cancer epidemic.

Reference Material: (If you have a deeper interest)

1. Statistical Information Team Cancer Research UK (2006) 'CancerStats, Malignant Melanoma-UK'Information available online at http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/

2. Spencer, J. & Amonette, R. Indoor tanning: risks, benefits, and future trends.

3. Solar and ultraviolet radiation. (IARCPress, Lyon, 1992)

4. Gallagher RP, Spinelli JJ, Lee TK. Tanning beds, sunlamps and risk of cutaneous malignant melanoma,Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005;14:562

5. Young AR, Tanning devices - fast track to skin cancer? Pigment Cell Res 2004;17:2-9

6. Karagas MR, Stannard VA, Mott LA, et al. (2002) Use of tanning devices and risk of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 94:224-6.

7. Westerdahl J, Olsson H, Masback A et al. (1994) "Use of sunbeds or sunlamps and malignant melanoma in Southern Sweden".American Journal of Eepidemiology 140:691-9.

8. Diffey, B. A quantitative estimate of melanoma mortality from ultraviolet A sunbed use in the U.K.Br J Dermatol 149, 578-81 (2003).

9. WHO fact sheet : Sunbeds, tanning and UV exposure, March 2005, at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs287/en/

10. Gerber, B., Mathys, P. Moser, M., Bressoud, D. & Braun-Fahrlander, C. Ultraviolet emission spectra of sunbeds. Photochem Photobiol 76, 664-8 (2002).

11. Wester, U., Boldemann, C., Jansson, B. & Ullen, H. Population UV-dose and skin area--do sunbeds rival the sun? Health Phys 77, 436-40 (1999)

12. Autier, P. Perspectives in melanoma prevention: the case of sunbeds. Eur J Cancer 40, 2367-2376 (2004). Advertising Standards Authority- non-broadcast adjudication, 7September 2005, http://www.asa.org.uk

13. Lim HW, Sunlight, tanning booths and Vitamin D, J Am Acad Dermatol 2005;52;868-76

14. British Medical Association- http://www.bma.org.uk

15. REHIS calls for Executive Action on Sunbeds, poor standards putting Scots at risk,November 2003

16. Ross, R. & Phillips, B. Twenty questions for tanning facility operators: a survey of operator knowledge. Can J Public Health 85, 393-6 (1994)

17. Moseley, H., Davidson, M. & Ferguson, J. A hazard assessment of artificial tanning units. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 14, 79-87 (1998).

18. Culley, C. et al. Compliance with federal and state legislation by indoor tanning facilities in San Diego. J Am Acad Dermatol 44, 53-60 (2001).

19. Moseley, H, MDavidson and J Ferguson. (1999) "Sunbeds and the need to know" British Journal of Dermatology. 141: 573-609

20. Royal Environmental Health Institute survey, November 2003 [cited in note 2].

21. NHS Scotland - Survey of Sunbed Salons in Scotland. Information collated by Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland, 3 Manor Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7DH, November 2003.

Best Tanning Bed Lotions

When it comes to finding the best tanning bed lotions you will find that there are many choices of tanning lotions to choose from. In fact a quick search on Google will find you almost 900 different types of tanning lotions to choose from to include bronzers, indoor tanning bed lotions and the widely popular tingle factor suntan lotion. Tanning lotions are primarily used to acquire a deep natural looking tan when exposed to the warming and soothing rays of the sun. Although these sun tan lotions will turn your skin into the dark bronze color you so desperately crave they do very little to prevent the sun's harmful rays from damaging your skin. So please keep that in mind when utilizing any store bought tanning lotion.

So now that we have established the many different tanning lotions available on the market why would you consider a sunless tanning lotion? Well, for starters a sunless tanning lotion would be a good choice for the title of best tanning bed lotion because it's made primarily for tanning indoors under the intense rays emitting from the professional grade tanning beds that are sold for commercial tanning salons as well as for tanning in the privacy of your on home. With the ability of not relying on the sun in order to produce a stunning tan these lotions become very easy and convenient to use in any indoor setting. When used properly many of today's top tanning lotions, also serve as a moisturizer that protects your skin while allowing for a natural looking tan to develop.

Tanning bed lotions became extremely popular several years ago due to the national warnings regarding the harmful effects on the dun's rays on the body while exposed to the sun even for a short period of time. They have since evolved into tanning sprays that not only protect the skin but also enrich it making the cell structure stronger and healthier. Tanning bed lotions are popular wherever tanning salons exist which is pretty much everywhere from California to Maryland and even in Florida.

Sadly when people see a tan or have a tan they think of it as a beauty symbol or status of some sort when in reality all it truly reflects is damaged skin cells that if consistently burnt could lead to serious side effects such as skin cancer. And it doesn't stop there because we have migrated from the best tanning bed lotions to tanning pills and tanning accelerators but their use has slowed down due to the harmful effects they render to the skins normal cellular life. However if someone simply must have a tan pigment to their skin then the sun less tanning lotions do offer a safer way to achieve the golden tanned look they want without as many harmful side effects.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Tanning-Bed-Solutions.com [http://www.tanning-bed-solutions.com] He provides more information on the best tanning bed lotions [http://www.tanning-bed-solutions.com/tanning-bed-lotions.html], tanning beds and lamps that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Home Tanning Beds

More and more people are opting to buy their own tanning beds rather than frequent a tanning salon. The main reason for this is that over a period of months or years, frequenting a salon can cost you thousands of dollars. That's money you could have spent on your own machine. And then there's the matter of time spent traveling to and from the salon. If you tan often, why not invest in a home tanning bed?

Indoor Tanning Beds

Very recently the World Health Organization issued a statement, backed up by the National Institutes of Health, recommending that no one under the age of eighteen should use an indoor tanning bed, citing tanning bed popularity among youth, high ultraviolet radiation levels in the beds, and a general increase in skin cancer cases.

Whether minors should be prohibited from using indoor tanning beds is a question of politics, but the point on safety is well taken by the majority of the tanning bed industry, as the warnings on their websites can attest. Indoor tanning beds must be used in moderation. A good rule of thumb is this: If you think your tan looks good, take a break from your tanning schedule.

Residential Tanning Beds

Residential tanning beds run off 120V or 220V power and take the form of two basic designs. Mostly likely the design you buy will be a horizontal tanning bed. Also known as capsules or clamshells, these beds consist of a lid lined with tubular ultraviolet lamps, and a glass or plastic "bench" contoured to fit the body. Set the timer, lie down on the bench, close the lid, rest your head on a pillow and allow the UV light to penetrate your skin. Relax. Turn your body over one time halfway through your session for even tanning.

Almost as common for home use is the vertical tanning bed, also known as a tanning booth or stand-up. The interior walls are lined with UV lamps to tan you on all sides simultaneously. Just step inside and close the door. A tanning booth tans with twice the speed of a clamshell tanning bed.

Portable tanning beds are also popular in the residential sector. A portable tanning bed consists of a "canopy" of UV lamps on a wheeled support structure. Position the hydraulically mounted canopy over your favorite deck chair or beach towel and you're golden. The best part: tanning canopies cost half as much as clamshell tanning beds. The down side: canopies don't deliver as high a quality tan as stand-ups or clamshells.

Tanning Beds Info provides detailed information about home, commercial, and wholesale tanning beds for sale, as well as tanning bed lotion and other products and accessories. Tanning Beds Info is the sister site of Sunless Tanning Web.

Is Luminess Tan Worth the Trouble and the Cost? A Luminess Tan Review With Top Tanning Tips

The Luminess Tan infomercials claim that by using their airbrush make up system you will get a flawless, golden tan that lasts up to 14 days. But is Luminess Tan really worth the effort, the expense, or will you get the same results out of a jar? Here's a Luminess Tan review that contains truthful feedback and top tanning tips.

The Luminess Tan infomercials (created by the well-known cosmetics company, Luminess Air) claim they have a breakthrough at home self-tanning system. The benefits of their airbrush tanning equipment and foundation they say includes:

1. EASE OF USE

Their airbrush is reliable, easy to use and easy to control so you can the exact results you're looking for

2. DOESN'T MAKE A MESS

The airbrush has such reliable and fine controls that you won't make a mess when you apply it. It is not to be confused with misting booths which spray from all different angles and does not have the same accuracy.

3. HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TANNING SOLUTION

Luminess Tan is supposedly an innovative tanning solution that features dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which is approved by the FDA and is incredibly effective. In fact Luminess Air say their tanning solution is 700% more effective compared to rival self-tanners.

4. CHEAPER THAN PROFESSIONAL SALONS WITH THE SAME RESULTS

Using the airbrush system at home works out much cheaper than going to professional salons

5. YOUR SELF-TAN LASTS

Luminess Air claims the highly effective tanning solution creates a natural, flawless bronzed skin that can last up to 14 days.

So that is the Luminess Tan hype: let us break down each stated benefit to see if the claims are true. It may not quite live up to all the sales talk.

1. IS IT REALLY THAT EASY TO USE?

According to the infomercial, the airbrush is so reliable, well designed and easy-to-use that you will achieve a flawless tan as you can control the spray, the intensity of the spray and its coverage. What Luminess Air doesn't tell you is that there is a learning curve when using the Luminess Tan airbrush for the first time. If you have never used an airbrush before, except during school art class, you might find it hard to control at first. The company does offer video tutorials so you get the technique right, but don't be surprised if you don't achieve a Hollywood-style, even glow in your first few tries. A Luminess Air customer service rep told me that it takes an average of one week for a person to get used to the airbrush.

So, here is my top self-tanning tip: practice with colored water in your airbrush and spray onto a white piece of paper at first so that you're not wasting the precious tanning solution when you're trying it out for the first time. It has to be said, after a few goes, it does become much easier to use the airbrush and since the results are so much better than creams and similar at-home self-tanners, you will feel it was worth the learning curve.

Another big plus is that they have cleverly added a pigment into the tanner solution so you can immediately see if you've applied it correctly, even before the actual tan starts to show. That is a major benefit over creams and lotions...for those, you can't tell if you've applied the self-tanner evenly and thoroughly until the tan actually starts to show.

2. DOES IT MAKE A MESS?

Once you've learned to use the airbrush (and see the tip above about practicing first with colored water), no, you should not make the mess. The air control of the airbrush can be adjusted to such fine degree that it's unlikely you'll end up spraying the tanning solution all over the place. That said you might want to apply it in the shower the first few times just to be absolutely safe.

3. REALLY? A 700% MORE EFFECTIVE TANNING SOLUTION?

This is difficult to say without proper independent trials. But it is true that their key active tanning agent dihydroxyacetone (DHA) has been approved by the FDA and that this method of self-tanning is dermatologist recommended. For sure it is much safer than sitting in the sun.

4. CHEAPER THAN PROFESSIONAL SALONS. Well, like, yeah!

Well of course a home-based self-tanning solution is cheaper than visiting a professional beauty salon. Kinda doh! Unfortunately, gals who like to look golden and healthy, we know that beauty can come at a price. Professional salons are often crazy expensive but you are paying for the luxurious surroundings, the pampering and the fact that you don't have to lift a finger yourself. So Luminess Tan is a much cheaper tanning solution, but that is saying the obvious and it does involve a little bit of work.

5. DOES YOUR LUMINESS AIR SELF-TAN LAST THOUGH?

Again you need proper independent clinical trials to say with full certainty and tans can lose their color in different circumstances on different people. For example, if you shed more skin than normal by body brushing heavily etc.

In my own tests I would say that Luminess Tan does seem to outlast other creams and tanning products on the market and the added bonus is that a little seems to go a long way when you're applying because of the reason mentioned in point one...that they have added, smartly I must say, a pigment that shows you straight away if you've covered enough areas and how your tan will look when it does start to appear (which is in about 30 minutes by the way).

Here's a tanning tip: a top Luminess Tan technique is to moisturize your skin both in the morning AND the evening after your first tanning session and after you've taken your first shower. And then let the moisturizer and the tanning solution sink in for 8-14 hours before you shower again. A moisturized skin helps keep a long lasting tan.

I hope you found this Luminess Tan review useful. At the time of writing, the Luminess Air company offers warranties, moneyback guarantees and trials.

Gemma Swansburg is a health and beauty tester and a bit of a tan-aholic. She has written extensive reviews for airbrush makeup cosmetics such as the Dinair airbrush kit, Luminess Air including in-depth Luminess Tan Reviews and news on other products. For FREE in-depth reviews, best prices and special offers you can read Gemma's blog www.airbrushmakeupfoundation.com

Professional Spray Tanning - How to Get Red Carpet Ready

Do you want to look great for a wedding, a New Year's Eve Party, graduation, or just that special night out? You may not be stepping on the red carpet today, but why not have the same beautiful tan that your favorite celebrity has? With professional spray tanning, you can.

Instead of worrying about the potentially damaging effects of the sun, you get an all natural sunless tan that lasts from 7 to 14 days. And you can have a tan as light or as dark as you want.

You can get a fantastic spray tan both at your favorite tanning salon and at home. Many salons now offer mobile spray tanning as an option.

So how do you maximize your tanning experience?

Prepare to Tan

If you've never spray tanned before, you'll probably want to try it once or twice before your special event. You'll find the optimal level for your skin color and with the help of your salon professional, decide how you look your best.

Once you know the date of your special event, book your spray tanning appointment one or two days in advance. And you'll want to shave or wax at least one day before your spray tan. Waxing will leave your pores open for several hours and may leave remnants of wax on your skin that could lead to an uneven looking tan.

Exfoliate your entire body the day before your spray tan. This removes any dead skin cells and helps extend your tan. Use a loofah or an exfoliating glove or mitt and concentrate on the driest areas of your body, such as knees, elbows, feet and ankles. Don't use an oil-based exfoliate, as these products may leave a residue that blocks the tan application.

The Day of Your Spray Tanning Appointment

Shower shortly before your appointment and don't apply any type of moisturizer to your body or face after showering. You'll also want to avoid any type of beauty product, including deodorant, body spray, perfume or makeup. Anything on your skin may block the tanning solution and prevent optimal absorption.

Wear loose fitting, dark clothing to your tanning session, just in case some of the tanning solution comes off onto your clothes on the way home. Don't worry, most tanning solution will come out in the wash.

And for women, you may want to go braless on the way home from your session. Wearing snug fitting clothing right after tanning can leave unwanted tan marks.

So what can you expect during the spray tanning process?

During Your Spray Tan

You may not want to wear anything at all during your session. Don't be shy, as the less you wear, the better your results. If you prefer to cover up a little, bring an old swimsuit or underwear.

Before beginning, your salon technician will consult with you briefly about your expected results and choose the right solution for your skin type. Application will take about 10 minutes and the solution will begin to dry immediately.

You'll find that your hands and feet appear lighter than the rest of your body, since those areas will develop more (become much darker) than other parts of your body.

How to Maintain a Long-lasting, Great-looking Tan

Wash only the palms of your hands prior to your first shower. Your salon technician will let you know how long to wait, based on the specific tanning product you're using. Usually, you'll want to wait at least 5 to 8 hours after your tanning session before taking that shower.

Keep the water temperature warm to cool, gently wash your body (without scrubbing), and pat yourself dry with a towel. It's normal to see some color run off during the shower, but that's mostly the bronzer used to calibrate the color of your tan.

Don't exercise until after that first post-tan shower. Avoid any activity that causes excessive sweating until the tan has a chance to develop.

Moisturizing your skin is the key to extending your spray tan. Ask your salon technician about skin hydrating products that can keep your tan from fading. You may also want to try a moisturizing enhancer, designed to prolong the life of your tan.

Any type of exfoliating product will cause the tan to fade more quickly. So you'll want to avoid shaving tanned areas for at least 48 hours following the tan application. And taking baths and soaking in hot tubs, saltwater and chlorinated pools will also shorten your tan.

Try these tips during your next spray tan and get ready to walk that red carpet. Your gorgeous, sun-kissed look will make you the envy of all your friends. And you'll look and feel beautiful on your special day.

Are you looking for a knowledgeable professional spray tanning salon? Why not try the pros at http://www.squidoo.com/nocturnaltanningandhairstudio? Located in Box Elder, South Dakota (just 10 miles from Rapid City), they'll help you get the longest lasting, most natural sunless tan.

Look Great For The Summer With Self Tanning Lotions!

Many people spend hundreds of dollars every month visiting tanning salons, and many spend a good deal of both time and money trying to obtain a nice tan. While tanning salons may be popular for many people, they can be very time consuming as well as costly. If you don't want to spend a lot of your time and money in a tanning salon, then there is a simple and effective solution for you that will end up costing you a lot less in the long run.

Luminess ranks as one of the best self tanning lotion products around, and by using Luminess you are able to obtain an excellent tan with little effort on your part. By simply applying Luminess, you are guaranteed to apply a tan to your skin that is efficient, quick, and most importantly, safe.

If you desire that excellent, deep tan that only the best self tanning lotions can give you, then you should definitely consider using the Luminess self tanning lotion. The airbrush system designed by Luminess in its best self tanning lotion is guaranteed to spread an even tan on easily and effectively, ensuring that you have that golden brown skin of which you are so desirous.

How does Luminess' best self tanning lotion work?

The airbrush delivery system is fairly straightforward, and the fake tan is easily sprayed on thanks to the airbrush system. You are guaranteed a smooth and even tan when using the Luminess airbrush system, and you can be sure that your skin will be colored properly. Rather than using a mist or lotion to help you apply the tan, you can use the simple, straightforward airbrush nozzle that is provided by the Luminess best self tanning lotion.

What are the benefits of using the Luminess?


Easy to use

Thanks to the ingenious airbrush system that is integrated into the Luminess self tanning lotion, you can be sure to always apply an even tan as easily and efficiently as possible. You have complete control over the airbrush that applies the tan, so you are always able to obtain the skin tone and coloring that you desire. You can easily practice the control of your airbrush by using colored water and applying it to your skin to learn how to handle the easy airbrush. There is also a pigment that has been added to the solution to ensure that you can differentiate instantly between the areas where the lotion has been applied and the lotion free areas.

Mess Free

The simplicity of the airbrush delivery system ensures that the tan is applied with the least amount of mess possible. Rather than having to wash lotion off your hands and sheets or having to struggle to ensure that a misting booth is pointed correctly at your skin, the ease with which the airbrush applies the tanning lotion ensures that none of the lotion is wasted and no messes are made. While it may take practice to get good with the airbrush, once you have mastered the system you will have no problems at all with messes.

Effective

The effectiveness of the Luminess tanning solution is purported to be as much as 700% more effective than its counterparts, a claim that has been backed up by many who have used the best self tanning lotion on the market. Thanks to the dihydroxyacetone in the tanning lotion, this best self tanning lotion is guaranteed to be more effective than anything else you might find around. In fact, DHA is approved by the Federal Drug Administration as being a safe way to tan, making Luminess far safer than sitting under the blazing sun would be. Using Luminess you can easily get the perfect tan without having to worry about skin cancer or any other skin conditions.

Cost

The cost of using this best self tanning lotion is actually a good deal less than the majority of the products available on the market today. You will also spend a far deal less on using the Luminess self tanning lotion than you would if you made regular visits to your local tanning salons. While it does require a bit of work to apply this best self tanning lotion properly, it is far less effort than visiting a tanning salon, and far cheaper too.

Long Lasting

The Luminess self tanning system guarantees that your applied tan will last as long as two weeks. That's two weeks of golden bronze skin that is beautiful and appealing to those around you, and the bronze appears to be a natural deep tan instead of a fake tan that many other self tanning lotions provide.

The above factors contribute to making Luminess the best self tanning lotion on the market today, and Luminess self tanning solution is guaranteed to ensure that your skin looks radiant and beautiful while still remaining healthy and blemish free.

A great tip for those who use Luminess is to apply a moisturizer to your skin in the morning and on the night after the first time you apply the solution. Make sure to apply the moisturizer after you have showered, and let the Luminess self tanning lotion sit on your skin alongside the moisturizer in order to ensure that the Luminess is absorbed into your skin properly. Let the mixture sit overnight and take a shower in the morning to ensure that your skin is healthy. The best way to keep a tan for a long time is to keep your skin healthy.

If you would like to look great for the summer then try a fast and effective way to get that beautiful tan with with self tanning lotions and the best self tanning lotion available today!

Tanning Tips - A Guide to Safe Tanning

Summer time is just around the corner and you want to be ready with that beautiful bronze all-over tan look. Yes I thought so, and who doesn't!

But before heading over to your local tanning salon or taking those tanning pills, there are some essential facts about tanning that everyone ought to know. Tanning is fine but it should be done very carefully and you need to be aware of the risks and dangers associated with the various types of tanning options available to you.

The major danger with sun tanning is the exposure to ultraviolet light. Extended exposure to ultraviolet radiation from whatever source ages the skin. It also has the potential to cause what's known as solar radiation damage, and could also lead to cancer of the skin. So the implications of sun tanning are not something to be taken lightly.

Exposure to ultraviolet light can also be responsible for rashes and sunburn. And it is not regularly known that ultraviolet light can also cause fungal skin infections and contact dermatitis. Indeed whether you are tanning in natural sunlight or using a tanning bed, ultraviolet is present in both, so utmost care is required. You should always bear in mind that there is no such thing as totally safe ultraviolet radiation.

Excessive tanning can result in skin conditions such as melasma, whose telltale sign is brown patches on the face, actinic keratosis (AK), and atypical nevus. And certain medications, including birth control pills, can make your skin more susceptible to sunburn. People with existing skin conditions must therefore take extra care when in the sun.

The intention here isn't to put you off tanning altogether, but to simply put you on your guard to be very careful whilst tanning and to be aware constantly of the degree of risk you are taking. As the saying goes - forewarned is forearmed!

Most people, typically women, begin their tanning habit as part of a beauty regime, frequently when quite young. So if you must tan, then let's take a look at the precautions you can take to protect your skin.

The safest way to tan is to do it slowly and gradually over as long a period of time as possible. And always use sunscreen when out in the sun and protective goggles provided in tanning salons. These are two of the fundamental rules you should rigidly stick to.

It is recommended that people with certain skin conditions should use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. But if you do have any pre-existing skin conditions, always consult with your doctor first.

Sunscreen should be applied all over any skin to be exposed at least a half hour before commencing tanning, whether in direct sunlight or in the salon. And if you engage in any outdoor activities for extended periods of time, sunscreen should be applied about every two hours.

However, the news isn't all bad. Indeed sun exposure in moderation can be good for the skin. Sufferers from eczema, pruritus, psoriasis and other skin conditions can actually see improvements with moderate exposure to the sun. But as with everything, tanning sensibly and in moderation is the key.

Of course there are also alternatives to tanning in direct sunlight or using tanning beds. For example sunless tanning is becoming increasingly popular. In sunless tanning, you will enter a room and a machine will spray you with a product that darkens the skin. This spray contains the chemical DHA (an abbreviation for dihydroxyacetone), a substance that gives skin a tan color. This chemical has actually been approved in the United States as safe to use for over twenty-five years.

Obviously sunless tanners are for external use only and when they are being applied, you should ensure that you adequately protect your eyes, nose and other sensitive parts of the body.

You might also have come across tanning pills. These can be found on sale at some tanning salons. However, at least in the United States, they are not currently approved as safe and have been associated with certain types of eye disorders. Some tanning pills have also been linked to liver damage and to urticaria, a skin condition which produces severe itching.

In conclusion, we all want a healthy skin and to look our best in the summer with a beautifully tanned body. Tanning is fine, but do it safely and be aware of how long you are exposed to the sun and harmful ultraviolet radiation. Keep in mind these guidelines and you will be less likely to encounter any serious problems when tanning.

BY DR. BIANCA TAVARES

Dr. Tavares is a medical consultant with wide-ranging experience and interests in both traditional and complementary medicine and health care.

She has a particular passion for disseminating quality medical information to the people who matter - the patients - and acts in an advisory capacity to numerous journals and health related web sites. Her writing about safe tanning can be found regularly at Makeup Girl?s Makeup Tips.

This article is copyright by Dr Bianca Tavares. It can be reprinted freely online as long as the entire article and this resource box are included.