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For those that are considering using a tanning bed for the first time there are things that you need to know. First off, the tanning beds are more intense than lying out in the sun. Therefore, you must start with small amounts of time and increase your way up to the full 20-minute tanning times. What I mean by small amounts is that you may have to start with a visit once a day for a week that only lasts for three minutes per visit. Then you can increase to five minutes a day for a week. You need to allow your skins natural pigments to change gradually. After you have worked your way up to your ideal time and tan depth then you can go your full time about twice a week to maintain your new sun kissed glow. While I did mention 20 minute tan sessions not everyone will need or want the full 20 minutes so it is best to watch your own body to decide how much to time you need to work towards.

Now that we talked about tanning times, let us talk about sunscreens and tan enhancers. First, you do not need to use sunscreen in the tanning beds. What you will need to do is bring a good moisturizer with you to apply all over once you are done tanning. This moisturizer will put the moisture back into your skin that the tanning bed took out. For beginners you should never use the tan enhancers that the tanning salon is selling or that you can find on the shelves of stores. These will actually cause a beginner to burn severely. Trust me I was in a hurry to get that perfect tan and I ended up burning parts of my body I never even knew I had. So avoid them at all costs. Just stick with going into the tanning bed with nothing and then applying a generous amount of moisturizer after your tanning session is over.

Tanning salons offer up eye goggles for you to use. First, find out how your salon cleans them. If they have a good policy on cleaning them then great and if they do not then go to a different tanning salon. You should use the goggles at all times while in the tanning bed. In addition, the goggles should be cleaned and sterilized after each use. Dirty goggles can lead to eye infections. Not using the goggles can lead to eye cancer and trust me you do not want to suffer from that. Most tanning salons will show you pictures of what types of eye cancers you can acquire by not using the goggles. Take a look at them and vow to yourself to always use them. Some people are afraid of the raccoon look that you can get from using goggles; this should not be a concern. I have always used my goggles and I have never once had any discoloration around my eyes that would give the raccoon look.

If you use these tips, you should have no ill effects from using a tanning bed. In fact, it can be one of the most relaxing moments of your day. Even a short three-minute session can leave you feeling relaxed and renewed.

Learn more about this author, Antoinette Mcgowan.
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