Tanning Tips

DEVELOPING A HEALTHY BASE TAN

If you are trying to build your base tan, tanning is generally done on an every-other-day basis (it takes 48 hours to see complete results of a session.) Slower is better.

To develop a base tan the quickest:

→ Use a recommended indoor tanning lotion! (Accelerators & intensifiers are good for developing a tan…bronzers are good for darkening a pre-existing tan) Lotions are available at Onyx- Sample packets range from $2-$6, and bottles range from $14-$16

→Tan everyday for three days in a row (to jumpstart your melanin production)

→ Follow those 3 days by tanning every other day totaling a two week period.

To maintain your solid base tan:

→Tan twice a week and use a tan extending lotion. (Available at onyx for only $14)

→Tanning normally appears after the first few sessions and maximizes after approximately four weeks.

RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE TIMES

If you follow a regular tanning regimen (mentioned above) you can refer to the times below for exposure times. You may increase your exposure time if you do not experience any redness from the previous session.

→ Has no base tan/burns easily/tans minimally: start with 6 minutes

→ Burns occasionally/Tans regularly/has moderate base tan: start with 8 minutes

→ Burns minimally/tans easily/has solid base tan: start with 10 minutes

→ Never burns/has naturally dark skin/tans for 20 minutes in regular beds: 12 min

TANNING TIPS

→ Use an indoor accelerator, intensifier or bronzing lotion. Apply to entire body before tanning. Also apply a tan extending lotion after every shower to lock moisture in. These products are available at Onyx for your convenience.

→ Shaving and showering are recommended before tanning. Clean, exfoliated, and moisturized skin tans best. It's best not to shower for at least 4 hours after tanning.

→ The key to a golden brown tan is moist skin. Dry skin is not able to support melanin (color) for long and also causes premature aging. Moisturize your skin. The heat and UV light from tanning sessions can dehydrate your skin. Because moist skin tans best, we recommend you moisturize before and after each tanning session to get the most out of each session.

→ If you plan to start tanning naked, cover previously unexposed areas for the majority of your first few tanning sessions. Gradually increase exposure to these areas, giving the skin time to build melanin production to prevent burning.

→ If you exercise, do it before tanning as increased blood flow produces melanin faster.

→ Never use soap. It strips the skin of moisture. Cleansing creams or gels are recommended.

→ Drink lots of water to hydrate your skin.

→There’s no such thing as a fast tan. Take it slow & NEVER BURN.

→ If you are taking any medications, please check with your doctor or pharmacist, as some have reactions with UV light. We have a list of UV light reactive medications in the tanning room.