Let's be honest: having lamps increases the likelihood of getting skin cancer. Excessive exposure to UVA rays should not become a habit, not only for health reasons, but also for aesthetic reasons. In fact, the sun bed causes premature aging of the skin. But if you can't live without it, here's how to become more aware or opt for less harmful alternatives.
Steps
Step 1. Enter the salon to learn about its artificial tanning programs
There are several:
- Low pressure, the traditional method. UV rays are emitted in a spectrum similar to natural sunlight. Tanning is quick but the risk of getting burned is very high, especially for those with fair skin.
- High pressure. These beds emit a greater proportion of UVA rays, and not UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburn. This method will allow you to tan in a slower but longer-lasting way, but it is more expensive.
- Cabin. It is basically a vertical tanning bed. This method is more hygienic because it does not come into contact with a surface touched by other people, perhaps sweaty, and represents the best option for claustrophobics.
- Body spray that produces a chemical reaction. UV rays are left out of the equation, so this is the safest method. However, the product can cause stains if the procedure is not performed well or if you are not consistent in the application.
Step 2. Take a tour of the salon to make sure everything is clean
Ask what kind of detergents they use to clean. Discard the dirty ones, wander around the premises and choose the ideal one for you.
Step 3. Fill out the questionnaire on skin analysis (the seriousness of the salon can also be understood from this detail)
The responsible locals also refuse to expose bright customers to UV rays.
If you take certain medications, you will need to specify this: your skin may react badly
Step 4. Reliable salons also provide goggles
If they don't insist on giving them to you, that means they don't care about your safety, and most likely they are inaccurate even with respect to hygiene standards. Don't worry: the goggles are only for protecting your eyes, they won't give you a raccoon look!
Step 5. Do not take tyrosine based tanning accelerators, lotions or pills
True, tyrosine is an amino acid used by the body to make melanin. However, there is no evidence that it is absorbed into the skin, or the liver via the lozenges, and that it actually produces the desired result.
Step 6. Undress in the dressing room
Use the same precautions as in a public shower. Remember that although the cot needs to be cleaned between uses, this is not insured, and it is not even known if the rest of the room is. Don't sit naked on chairs and don't take your socks off unless you are certain of the hygiene of the person who passed before you.
- If you're a hygiene freak and don't mind the staff considering you weird, borrow a pack of disinfectant to clean up quickly. Don't carry your products with you, though, as some cleaners (such as ammonia-based ones) can damage the glass of the bed or irritate your skin while you are exposed to UV rays.
- Ask a staff member how to turn off and check the cot.
Step 7. Put on the goggles:
this step is absolutely necessary. Avoid sunglasses and don't worry about your appearance right now.
Step 8. Lie down on the bed and close the lid
Press the start light switch. There should be a timer; as a rule, a staff person assigns a time interval (such as 10 minutes), regardless of your insistence on staying longer. The employee, who ideally should be more experienced than you, will start with a low dose, gradually increasing with each session based on your skin's response. Rest assured, visualize your cells producing a lot of melanin or take a nap (unless you're in a cabin).
Step 9. Get off the cot
Dab away the sweat with the towel given to you and get dressed.
Advice
- For a lasting and even tan, do a scrub before visiting the salon, this will remove dead cells and increase the chances of not getting burned.
- Shave before the lamp. You won't be able to tan well if you're full of hair.
- Do not exfoliate or shave the skin 24 hours before the session, or you may damage or irritate the skin that has been sensitized.
- Check your skin regularly.
- Moisturized skin tans better, so don't be frugal with your favorite body cream!
- Don't shower right after, but allow the melanin to absorb the tan. You may want to wash before going to the salon and then bathe the next day.
- After completing the session, the client is usually expected to wipe away the sweat left on the couch with a towel. This reduces the waiting time for the next appointment and saves you any embarrassment.
Warnings
- Artificial tanning can be addictive. Watch out for tanorexia!
- Undergoing the lamp without goggles could cause you to go blind or cause damage to your night vision or the ability to see colors well.
- Don't rely on your skin color to determine when and how to get your lamp. Furthermore, the effects of sunburn are not noticed immediately, but hours later. GO EASY!
- Exposing yourself to UV rays increases the chances of getting skin cancer.
- When you expose yourself to the sun, always wear protection, even if you are already tanned.
- Don't go under the lamps too often. Your skin will continue to tan for at least 24 hours after the session, so you'll need some recovery time, or you'll get burned.
- If staff members are seared or skinned, avoid the salon - they are certainly not experts.
- Self-tanning lotions contain no sun protection factor.
