Lotions: Do I Need One?
While it's true that it's not necessary to use a lotion while tanning, it's just as true that you don't need to wear a lip balm when you go skiing. However, it's always a good idea to use a quality lotion specifically designed for indoor tanning for several important reasons. First, a tanning bed or booth is an enclosed environment that will dry your skin if you don't protect your skins natural moisture prior to tanning. Just as you apply a lip balm before hitting the slopes, not after you've returned to the lodge with chapped lips, likewise you should apply lotion to your skin before you tan to prevent your skin from drying, not afterwards. While it's always wise to moisturize after tanning, the real secret to keeping your skin soft and supple is to prevent your skins natural moisture from escaping in the first place with a quality lotion.
Dry skin also hinders the tanning process. Light tends to be reflected or bounce off of dry skin, while moist skin becomes much more translucent allowing the light to penetrate more easily resulting in greater melanin production and consequently a deeper, darker tan. The anti-oxidants and natural botanicals in a quality indoor tanning lotion are designed to speed up your tanning while providing much needed nutrients and natural oils which act like vitamins for your skin. There are several major types of lotions that are designed for the unique needs of the indoor tanner: bronzers; accelerators; and tingles.
Bronzers
A bronzer is a self-tanner formulated exclusively for indoor tanning. The ingredients are activited by the UV light in your tanning session. Bronzers are used to suppliment the tanning process and provide a bit more instant gratification. Exfoliating prior to the application of a bronzer helps to insure an even application.
Accelerators
Another effective option for tanning connoisseurs is an accelerator. Accelerators contain ingredients that actually stimulate your melanocytes to produce melanin, which speeds up your tanning session. In other words, an accelerator can help your body to produce the same amount of melanin and thus a tan in less time than would normally be required. Likewise, a client who already tans at the maximum session time for a piece of equipment can simulate the increased melanin production of an even longer session time by using a quality accelerator.
Tingles
A tingle lotion actually increases the heat of your tanning session... think hot sauce for the skin. A tingle increases the blood circulation at the surface of your skin which helps the melanin rise to the surface more quickly. If your a regular tanner who seems to have reached a plateau with your results, a tingle may help you to get a few shades browner. Because tingle lotions are an acquired taste, we strongly suggest that clients wishing to give one a try, do so with a lower level tingle in a small area of your body to see if you enjoy the sensation or not. Start with a packet to give you a feel for it, as you can always upgrade to a full bottle once you've given it a try.