tanning lotions, tan extenders, tanning accelerators

Tanning Information

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IF NOT, WHY DON'T YOU Ask An Expert?

What Is UV Tanning All About?

What About Tanning Lotions, Tanning Accelerators & Tanning Extenders?

Tanning and Your Skin

Frequently Asked Tanning Questions
HAVE WE ANSWERED YOUR TANNING QUESTIONS HERE?
IF NOT, WHY DON'T YOU Ask An Expert?

FIVE EXCELLENT REASONS to tan moderately indoors

  1. VITAMIN D
    Vitamin D is the 'sunshine vitamin' which is essential for good health. Regular, moderate indoor tanning is an excellent way to maintain your vitamin D levels for optimum health. (Click here to read more about this topic on this page.)
  2. SUNSHINE BOOST
    Moderate tanning stimulates the metabolism, much like exercise does, so the heat won't just last for the duration of your session... the tanning pick-me-up will last all day.
  3. A NATURAL HIGH
    Many tanners think that it's the heat of the sunbed that makes them feel relaxed. Actually, it's the UV light's effect on your body. Sunlight (UV light) helps you to make 'happy hormones' like serotonin and endorphins- natural, chemical-free, substances which make you feel happier and more content.
  4. LOOK TERRIFIC
    It goes without saying... ever since Coco Chanel famously made a tan desirable when she returned from a yachting trip in 1909 'accidentally' (yeah right) sporting a golden tan... to the fabulous California beach tan lifestyle made famous in the 60s... pale people around the globe have embraced the aesthetic joy of a natural bronzed look.
  5. GOING ON HOLIDAY?
    The best way to get a base tan prior to your 'hot climate' holidays is a course of indoor tanning before you go. The skin is designed to develop a tan in order to protect you from burning. Take your pale skin away and you are much more likely to get a dangerous and uncomfortable sunburn. Make sure you start your indoor tanning with AT LEAST three weeks to spare before your holiday so you have time to build a gradual natural base tan protection, and enjoy your trip so much more!
    And one more BONUS reason...
  6. MEDITATION!
    In today's busy world there are few 10-30 minute activities you can do which multi-task so effectively. Get essential vitamin D, warm up, cheer up AND take some time to be entirely still and alone to reflect and appreciate all the wonderful things in your life.

Remember, MODERATION all year round is the key to SMART TANNING. Don't overdo it, tan sensibly, never sunburn. You'll harness all the postive effects of indoor sunlight!
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How Does Tanning Work?

Natural tanning occurs when skin is exposed to UV light- UVB and UVA. Special cells called melanocytes fill up with and release melanin which rises to the surface of your skin, turning the top layers brown by a process of oxidization. In an indoor tanning environment the ratio of UVA to UVB is controlled to a degree that you are far less likely to develop a burn. Everyone has about 6 million melanocytes, but everyone has a different amount of melanin, according to their skin type, which is why we are all a different colour, and why people tan differently. This is why it's so important to have an individual tanning programme designed for you, like we do at Get Brown Tanning in Auckland.

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Why Does Tanning Make Me Feel Warm?

Most of us have probably never even questioned this – but here’s the thing – UV light itself is invisible and has no heat. So why do we feel warm during a tanning session? It’s all to do with the production of melanin pigment that’s stimulated by exposure to UV light. Melanin turns our skin brown, but more importantly – because clever Mother Nature has a perfect plan – melanin is an excellent photoprotectant. This means that melanin absorbs UV radiation and transforms the energy into harmless amounts of heat. The process is called Internal Conversion, and it's the reason why indoor tanning believers say that moderate tanning protects the skin.

Melanin is so efficient at protecting our skin- it dissipates 99.9% of the absorbed UV radiation as heat, so there’s only less than 0.1% left to produce any potential skin damage. Most sunscreens (or artificial melanin as they are sometimes referred to) are not nearly as efficient at converting UV into heat, averaging less than 60% conversion. With sunscreens, there is potential for much more DNA ‘excited-state’ activity, which in turn produces free radicals and ultimately skin damage. So if you can develop a tan indoors, doing so will provide a measure of natural protection to your skin. Rather than spending too long in the sun covered in sunscreen, manage your outdoor UV exposure by covering up and seeking some shade once your naturally tanned skin has taken as much UV exposure as it can handle- before you feel the tell-tale, over-heated feeling that warns you your skin has had enough.
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How long will it take me to get brown?

When building your base tan, the goal is to have regular, moderate exposure, using products that boost melanin production for a faster, deeper result. You should find out your skin type and match this with the recommended tanning schedule for the tanning equipment you are using. As a general guide, if you are tanning 2-3 sessions a week with good equipment and a skincare regime, you should see results after 3-4 sessions, and your base tan will be optimized after 10-20 sessions.

Tanning is a gradual process, as you build layers of colour on the surface of your skin through regular, moderate exposure. Stop tanning, and the natural exfoliation of the surface layers of your skin (the dead skin cells) through washing, perspiring, friction etc will mean that your tan fades away. To maintain a tan, you need to stimulate the tanning process from time to time. A key to it is for your skin to be very healthy & well moisturised. Healthy skin tans best, and holds your tan for longer. Great tan accelerators & extenders contain premium skincare ingredients, which keep skin in fantastic hydrated condition. Using drying soaps can strip your tan, so a shower wash like California Tan’s Total Submersion will also help to make your tan last.

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Sunburn is not the same as tanning!

The medical name for sunburn is erythema. Sunburn occurs when too much energy is absorbed by the skin. Tiny blood vessels in your skin burst from excessive sun exposure, and the resulting sunburn can cause permanent skin damage. Many people falsely assume that sunburns ‘fade’ into tans. This is not correct- sunburn is an injury ON TOP of the tanned layers of skin. Moderate exposure to UV light will allow the development of a base tan to thicken the outer layer of the skin. This, combined with good quality SPF sunscreens provides the best protection against sunburn in the outdoor environment. The California Tan SPF range of suntan lotions provide a range of protection, combined with luxurious skincare ingredients and tanning boosters (SPF15 and below) to let you tan more safely outdoors.

Sunburn is an injury to the skin. It is NOT a necessary part of the tanning process. In fact, sunburn will slow down the rate at which you achieve a tan, as your body will have to turn its attention to repairing the damage caused by the burn before it can continue the tanning process to get you brown. If you ever burn in an indoor tanning facility, discuss this with the staff there. If they do not seem to be concerned about the health of your skin, or if they don’t know that burning is detrimental to your tanning progress, find another place to tan.

The Golden Rule of Smart Tanning is: DON’T EVER SUNBURN

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Are Sunbeds SAFE?

It is almost impossible to say that any human activity is 100% safe, because by definition this means you can do it recklessly (with abandon) and come to no harm. At Get Brown we believe that the benefits of moderate suntanning (producing vitamin D, feel-good endorphins, well-being, confidence-boosting, the psychological stimulus from a mediatative 'time-out'....) far outweigh the minimal and manageable risks associated with over-exposure to UV light. It should be remembered that tanning in a non-burning fashion has never been isolated as causative mechanism for any cancer.

A good analogy for indoor tanning is driving a car. Is it fair to say that there is a "safe" way to drive a vehicle, or that one car is really "safe" compared to another? No, because if you use any vehicle recklessly then this may very well result in an injury. So when you take a car journey, you make sure you're prepared. You know the road code, you know how the vehicle works and how to operate it, and you know which route you plan to drive to get to where you going. You ensure that your car is fit to handle the journey. You do everything you can to minimise the risks associated with being on the road. Then you relax, enjoy the journey and gain the benefit of getting from "A" to "B".

Sunshine tanning (indoors in a sunbed or outside in the sun) is much the same! Once you satisfy yourself that the tanning equipment is appropriate for your needs and prepare your skin with good quality antioxidant-rich pre-tan accelerator lotion, you can monitor your sessions, avoid sunburn by keeping to a sensible plan, and moderate your UV exposure. Then you can relax and enjoy all the wonderful benefits that moderate UV (sunlight) exposure brings you, knowing that your risks are minimised.

All human activity involves an element of risk. Please tan responsibly.

A Note On Sunbed Equipment: Sunbed lamps and equipment do vary, and you need to be sure that the equipment you choose to tan in has a reasonable level of UVB radiation and not too much UVA. As a rule of thumb newer, modern sunbed equipment usually conforms to the right mix (as long as the unit is not a "high pressure tanning unit- avoid these UVA-only sunbeds at all costs!) and the newer style of lamps actually emit UVA in a more gentle spectrum than sunlight itself. Please contact us if you have more specific questions about indoor tanning equipment.
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How Can I Tan Sensibly?

Moderate tanning, for those who can develop a tan, is the smartest way to maximise the benefits of sun exposure, while minimising the risks associated with too much sunlight. Smart tanning is respecting the risks and benefits of sun exposure, and making informed decisions based on that information. Know your skin type and follow an appropriate tanning exposure schedule designed for you in order to develop a tan gradually and avoid sunburn. Protect your lips with lip balms or sunscreens, as lips do not produce melanin and can burn easily. Be aware that certain medicines & perfumes can cause photo-sensitivity & if concerned you should consult your doctor prior to tanning. Use indoor tanning lotions to save time, save money, and save your skin from the drying effects of UV light. MODERATION is the key to enjoying tanning and the sun.

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What Does Sunshine & Tanning Do For Me?

Exposure to sunlight (UV light) treats the effects of S.A.D (Seasonal Affective Disorder syndrome, or the ‘winter blues’) by making the skin produce endorphins which make us feel good. Millions of people suffer from this syndrome in the winter months and in the worst cases doctors prescribe expensive, hospital-based UV light treatments. In fact, some smart doctors recommend indoor tanning to their patients- because a few controlled sessions in a sunbed is just as effective and a fraction of the price!

Exposure to UV light re-balances our circadian rhythms and reduces the effects of jet lag, so look out for an indoor tanning facility after your next overseas trip. UV rays also act as an aphrodisiac, increasing libido (especially for men!) by stimulating our hormonal glands. We know that the sun energises and relaxes us- why else do people cheer up and calm down when the sun comes out? UV exposure and the resulting natural tan we get increases our self-confidence and gives a general sense of well-being.

Broad spectrum sunscreens prevent all of these beneficial effects of the sun from occurring by inhibiting the absorption of UV light. It is important to note that the sun can be fierce and people can burn rapidly in this part of the world. Get Brown advocates developing a healthy respect for UV light, understanding that moderation is the key to maximising the benefits and minimising the risks. We advocate moderate exposure for those who can develop a tan, and sunburn avoidance for all.

Is not getting enough sun more dangerous than sun exposure? Click to see a YouTube clip explaining more.

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What's So Great About Vitamin D?

UV light (sunlight) is the body’s only natural, reliable source of vitamin-D, as it is difficult to get sufficient levels of the vitamin through diet alone. Vitamin-D is critical for bone health as it is necessary for our bodies to use calcium effectively. You can drink all the calcium-enriched milk and eat all the cheese you like, but if you don’t have adequate vitamin-D in your body, you won’t be able to use that extra calcium at all. Vitamin-D regulates blood pressure and may help reduce risk of hypertension, stroke, heart attack and heart failure. Vitamin-D improves insulin production and may help prevent diabetes.

A deficiency in vitamin-D caused by lack of sun exposure increases the risk of bone diseases such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia and rickets in children. Older people are especially at risk of developing osteoporosis, which leads to an increased risk of fractures from weaker bones and puts them at risk of serious injury and ill-health. Increasing vitamin-D levels in the bloodstream helps lower the risk of several diseases- particularly those caused by abnormal cell growth (e.g cancer).

Are you getting enough VITAMIN D? Regular tanners make plenty of it, but those who stay out of the sun are at risk of deficiency. Read more about this important topic here!

If you are interested in this topic of research, we highly recommend you read The UV Advantage, by Dr Michael Holick, professor at Boston University School of Medicine. You can purchase this via Amazon through our website here.

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What About UV Light and Skin Cancer?

There are several types of skin cancers as outlined below. We can separate them into 'melanoma' and 'non-melanoma' skin cancer. While we often hear the term 'melanoma' attributed to any and all skin cancer; it is important to realise that the two types of skin cancer are extremely different. The most important distinction to make if you are interested in UV light and its effect on the skin is that there has been no statistically satisfying scientific conclusion reached about 'sunbeds' and the incidence of melanoma (despite the skewed facts you may have heard!) In fact, ground-breaking research was recently completed which points to the fact that TANNING may actually inhibit the incidence of melanoma. Click here to read reserach about the effect of exposure to sunlight among indoor workers and sun-sensitive people.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers

Did you know that less than ½ a percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are fatal? Non-melanoma skin cancer is rarely deadly, and easily treated if caught early. The most common form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, which rarely spreads, and occurs mostly in people who sunburn repeatedly. Another reason why SUNBURN should be avoided at all costs! There is also a definite link between basal cell skin cancer and high fat diets. Smoking increases your risk of contracting this form of cancer by 50%. Squamous cell carcinoma tends to appear on parts of the body that have been exposed to extreme amounts of sun, and it may also appear on parts of the skin that have been burned, exposed to chemicals or had X-Ray therapy. The most likely cause of non-melanoma skin cancers is thought to be long-term over-exposure to sunlight.

Melanoma Skin Cancer

Melanoma is a much more dangerous form of skin cancer. The disease’s relationship with the sun’s UV rays has been misunderstood by many. Melanoma is most common in people who DO NOT receive regular sun exposure, and it develops often on parts of the body that are NOT normally exposed to sunlight. Your genetics or family history seems to be the biggest factor in contracting melanoma skin cancer. If you have more than fifty moles on your body your chance of developing melanoma is increased. A weakened immune system, or previous melanoma, will give you a greater risk of developing melanoma also. Dysplastic nevi moles, larger than normal moles with irregular borders and mottled in colour, are more likely than normal moles to become melanomas. In the USA, melanomas make up only 10% of all skin cancers. There actually have been no statistically significant connections found between moderate indoor tanning and increased melanoma risk. Studies show that rather than rates of melanoma increasing- as is commonly reported and thought- actually it is public awareness of the problem that has improved &, and these numbers may reflect the detection methods that are finding more melanomas earlier.

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What is UV Light?

Sunlight is made up of several different types of light. Ultraviolet (UV) light makes up about 5% of sunlight. UV light from tanning lamps is not 'artificial', rather the device which emits them is 'artificial'. So the UV light in a sunbed replicates that from the sun, except that the rays are created in differing quantities and the environment can be controlled to reduce the risk of burning the skin. UVA rays have the least energy. If absorbed in excess, UVA can alter and damage the collagen & elastin of the dermis (skin). (This is why using good quality pre-tan lotions is so important- as vital nutrients and antioxidant ingredients help guard against the potential damage). UVB is a higher energy wave which is essential for the production of vitamin D. UVB stimulates melanin production (tanning) and thickens the surface skin, providing protection against sunburn. If absorbed in excess UVB can cause sunburn. UVC does not penetrate the ozone layer- this light will damage DNA & is often used as a sterilising light. UVC is not used in tanning equipment.

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The Good News About UV Light (Sunlight) and Other Cancers

Researchers continue to explore the theory that certain cancers including breast, colon, prostate and ovarian cancers may be INHIBITED by regular sun exposure. One study showed that the risk of breast cancer decreased by 40% in females who were moderate tanners. The effect of vitamin D on general health including the ability to fight degenerative disease including cancers cannot be overlooked. Some dermatologists are still trying to maintain that you can get enough vitamin D from diet alone; but the majority of medical professionals agree that sunlight is the best way to get enough vitamin D, and that we need to teach UV light in moderation rather than absolute sun avoidance.

Moderate UV light exposure gives greater protection than no exposure for those who can develop a tan. This negates the myth that ‘no tan is a safe tan’. Parts of the world with higher sunshine have proven to have lower rates of other cancers. In 1941, the American publication ‘Journal of Cancer’ stated that a possible increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (from sun exposure) was the price to be paid for the reduced risk of prostate, breast and colon cancer.

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Making Sense of Commonly Used Tanning Accelerator Terms

When browsing sunbed tanning accelerators you're likely to see the following tanning references:

  • Step 1 lotions= to build a fast base tan. NB: even long-term tanners who tan regularly will need to go back to using a Step 1 lotion if they lose their base tan!
  • Step 2 lotions= to advance results beyond base tan, or use a Step 2 lotion when you want to hold on to, or maintain your tan.
  • Tanning Plateau= when tanning progress slows down and your base tan is maximised. You're now ready to use a Step 2 lotion to maintain tan or get browner.
  • Pure lotion= a sunbed tanning accelerator without any added heat or bronzer ingredients.
  • Bronzer lotion= a sunbed tanning accelerator with added fake tan ingredients to give you a little self-tanning as well as natural tan boosting. Generally bronzers have enough self-tanner for a kick of colour, but not enough fake tan to worry about going streaky or orange. Just apply to skin with even, circular motions and wash your hands after application. NB: Many tanning lotion bottles are labelled with the words 'Lotion de Bronzage'... this is just the French way to say 'tanning lotion' and does not necessarily mean there is self-tan in the product.
  • Heat, hot action or tingle= a sunbed tanning accelerator which turns skin red temporarily and gives a tickling, itching sensation for up to an hour after tanning (feels like sunburn, but isn't...) The sensation is caused by special ingredients which speed up your micro-circulation, flushing blood to the surface of your skin, very much like when you exercise. Often misunderstood, 'hot' lotions are marvellous for your circulation and many heat-loving tanners swear by their tanning results using these lotions! At Get Brown we always recommend trying a 'hot' lotion packette to boost colour on slow-tanning legs.

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Why Should I Use A Tanning Lotion?

Moist skin tans much better than dry skin, in fact, moist skin will absorb about 20% more UV light than dry skin. Using good quality tanning lotion will help you tan faster, and help your tan last longer. UV light has a drying effect on the skin so using lotions designed for indoor tanning will help put back moisture lost in the tanning process. The better condition your skin is in, the more readily it will perform as nature intended, producing melanin in response to UV exposure, resulting in a natural, healthy-looking tan.

The active ingredients in tanning lotions are the building blocks of melanin- amino acids, L-tyrosine etc. As the lotion is absorbed by the skin, these ingredients feed the melanin-producing cells to give faster tanning results. Lotions maintain skin condition & minimise dry skin cells to avoid the tan flaking off sooner. Anyone who has used a good tanning lotion will know how important it is to use one every time you tan, for the look of your tan, and for your results. Tanning without lotion is like showering without soap! Now, you wouldn’t do that, would you?

There is another vital reason that you should use tanning lotion every time you tan. The premium antioxidant ingredients in specialty accelerator lotions have the ability to stop any free radical activity in your skin cells. Free radicals will lead to premature ageing, skin wrinkling, and can contribute to the development of some skin cancers. Antioxidants are your best friend when it comes to your health- they can be taken orally or topically and in this case they will protect your skin from the dangers of these unwanted UV exposure side effects. Tanning with lotions is just simply MORE SENSIBLE TANNING.

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Is Bronzer Lotion The Same As Fake Tan?

Yes and no. Most accelerators with bronzers contain the same DHA (dihydroxyacetone) ingredients as self-tanning lotions, but in a smaller quantity, so the likelihood of streaking or patchiness is reduced. Prepare the skin for self-tanning by exfoliating prior to the tanning session. When using tanning accelerator lotions with bronzers you should exfoliate at least once a week to avoid bronzer build-up. Accelerators with bronzers are a great option for people who want to tan quickly, as they give an immediate colour boost while the natural tan develops.

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Can I Use my Tanning Accelerator Lotion Outside?

Yes, you can use tanning accelerator lotions outside and they will promote your tanning results. However, you should exercise caution, as indoor tanning accelerator lotions do not contain SPF (Sun Protection Factor), so you are also at risk of burning quicker outdoors using tanning lotion.

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Is Hot Action (Tingle, Heat) The Same As Sunburn?

Hot Action products cause a temporary skin reaction of reddening and a tingling sensation, which will vary in intensity according to skin type. It lasts anywhere from 20 minutes to a few hours. These products should only be used by advanced tanners. If you do use one and find it uncomfortable, shower immediately after tanning to wash off the lotion and cool down the skin.

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How Are Specialty Tan Extenders Different From Normal Moisturisers?

Specialty tan extenders deliver essential hydration to tanners' skin. Used every day after showering or bathing (tanning or not) these brown boosters encourage melanin development and tanning results at all times. They contain simlar melanin boosters to good quality pre-tan lotions, as well as unique hydrating ingredients to cater for the added needs of tanners' skin.

Read our blogpiece for more on why the other moisturisers may be working against your tanning progress.

Check out Get Brown's range of affordable tan extenders. These luxurious after-tan lotions & washes help you keep your tan for much longer.

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What's My Skin Type?

Knowing your skin type is the key to understanding how much UV exposure your skin can handle, which helps you to maximise the benefits of sunlight while minimising the risks of too much or too little sun exposure. Go through the Skin Assessment Chart to determine your own skin type. Then ask your tanning facility to recommend the correct tanning times for you with their particular tanning equipment.

The medical profession have identified the following six skin types, and these are described here:

TYPE 1. Tans little or not at all, always burns and peels - SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO TAN
TYPE 2. Burns easily, tans minimally & lightly, usually peels
TYPE 3. Burns moderately, gains average tan
TYPE 4. Burns minimally, tans easily, exhibits IPD (Instant Pigmentation Darkening) reaction
TYPE 5. Rarely burns, tans easily & substantially
TYPE 6. Tans profusely and never burns, always exhibits IPD (Instant Pigmentation Darkening) reaction- UNLIKELY TO TAN INDOORS

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Some Facts About The Skin

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. Skin covers the entire body and protects you from sunlight, heat and cold, infections, toxins and injury. It weighs about six pounds, and is made up of millions of cells, divided into two layers. The outer layer is the epidermis, and the inner layer is called the dermis. The epidermis contains a defence mechanism designed to protect skin against sunburn, caused by over-exposure to UV light. This process is referred to as ‘tanning’.

When skin is exposed to UV light, melanocytes in the epidermis produce melanin, a pigment which gives skin and hair its natural colour. Melanin pigment absorbs UV radiation, turning it into heat and protecting the skin cells against sunburn. The more melanin pigment you have & produce, the darker your skin. The amount of melanin pigment you have depends on your skin type, which is determined by your genetic background and your skin’s history of exposure.

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Psoriasis

The word ‘psoriasis’ is the ancient Greek word for ‘itch’. Psoriasis affects 50 million people worldwide, mostly adults, and the symptoms can be extremely distressing. The symptoms of psoriasis are usually raised patches of thick, red skin covered with silvery scales. Medical research shows that UV light (sunlight) significantly improves psoriasis and other similar skin conditions like eczema.

Dermatologists prescribe ‘light treatment’ to patients with these conditions; this treatment is simply a concentrated dose of the same UV light available in tanning equipment. Research showed that the effect of UV light from a course of indoor tanning provided significant relief from the symptoms of psoriasis in the majority of subjects in the trial. At Get Brown Tanning, many people have experienced fast, remarkable improvement in their psoriasis condition by following a moderate and highly supervised course of indoor tanning. In fact, many of them have been referred to us by their GP as indoor tanning at an excellent tanning salon is a much cheaper way to get results for psoriasis than expensive medical treatments.

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Worried About A Sunbed's Effect On Your Skin?

Read more about new era tanning lamps vs. the sun.
Please note this PDF file requires the latest version of Adobe Reader to view... download Adobe here. We often hear sweeping & unfounded statements such as "sunbeds are 10 times worse than the sun". But what does that even mean? We know that sunlight is necessary for survival on this planet. Excessive exposure to UV light has also been found to contribute to low-grade non-melanoma skin cancers, easily treated and rarely fatal (the jury is still out on a causative factor for melanoma skin cancer). So we know that we must respect UV light and take a moderate approach to our exposure to limit risk and maximise benefits. So it's good news for indoor tanners to learn that new, thorough research into the UV light spectrum of different light emitting devices, including the sun and sunbeds, proves that new era tanning lamps emit UV light in a much more positive spectrum than the sun, or indeed than the equipment that is used to deliver medical UV light doses and to test sunscreen efficacy. These new lamps are used in most modern pieces of tanning equipment available at excellent indoor tanning salons like Get Brown. Read the full report of this fascinating study here!
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Isn't Tanning Bad For Me?

The relationship between sunlight and skin cancer has been blown out of proportion, mainly by the cosmetic wing of the pharmaceutical industry. Sunburn protection products have made extraordinary amounts of money by being cleverly marketed to prevent cancer, as opposed to preventing sunburn. In fact, there is no clear evidence that chemical sunscreens have a protective effect against skin cancer, nor that staying out of the sun reduces your risk of skin cancer or skin aging. Aggressive ‘educational’ advertising campaigns have convinced many that no amount of sun exposure is safe, in order to boost sales of ‘sun protection’ products. There is big money to be made in playing on people’s fear of developing wrinkles!

The irony is that ultraviolet light exposure, which increases your levels of vitamin D have actually been linked to a reduced risk of many other types of cancers. Also, provided that you use good tanning lotions which contain anti-oxidant ingredients, you actually reverse the effect of UV-induced free radical damage in the skin. People are not made aware that it is possible to get the beneficial effects of the sun while minimising wrinkles and premature ageing. How? Use the best tanning lotions & extenders that you can afford, and always keep your skin nourished with them.

Why have we been scared out of the sun? Surely they must be right, I hear that UV light is bad for me all the time!? READ THE TRUTH ABOUT WHO'S BEHIND THE SUN-SCARE MYTH HERE!

Anti-sunshine hysteria has built up in recent years, presenting a whole host of other health issues as determined by prominent dermatologists who predict the approach of a vitamin-D deficiency epidemic. Cases of rickets in children, a bone deformity disease prevented caused by lack of vitamin D, have begun to appear in developed countries for the first time in decades; an astonishing fact given that it is so easily cured by exposure to sunlight. Sunshine is free, and there’s not much money to be made talking about how good it is for you. The ‘pro-sun lobby’ often gets drowned out by the ‘anti-sun lobby’, and the media has little interest in ‘feel good’ health stories. It is much more sensational to play up the "hazards of sun exposure" frenzy.

While these factors have influenced the way people feel about sunlight to a dangerous degree, it is important to develop a healthy respect for the sun which, like the sea, has the potential to do us damage through over-exposure, as well as the ability to do us good. The best way to harness the positive effects of UV light while minimising the risks is to have regular, moderate UV exposure in a controlled environment like indoor tanning in sunbeds or stand-up tanners, NEVER allow your skin to burn, and use good quality tanning & skincare products.

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I've heard I should only have a limited number of Tanning Sessions per year. Is this true?

Yes, we've all heard comments like this. We've even heard (mis-informed) sunbed owners say things like, "well, my clients only have a handful of sessions a year, so that's ok, isn't it?" The reason the notion of limiting your tanning sessions for limiting sake alone is nonsensical is because UV radiation is not 'stored' in the body and the skin is constantly regenerating itself anyway. Tanning only happens in the surface layers of your skin, and with controlled exposure, limiting over-exposure to UV radiation, maintaining a base tan all year round is not much different to building it up once a year. Sure, long-term sun exposure can contribute to wrinkling and other signs of age- this is why you should always use the best tanning accelerator AND specialty extender you can afford to take good care of skin and replenish moisture and nutrition. Remember- a wise man once said "THE ONLY EFFECTIVE WAY TO STOP THE AGING PROCESS IS TO STOP HAVING BIRTHDAYS." Relax! Soak up that sun (in a controlled and non-burning fashion) and enjoy life the way Nature intended us to enjoy it...

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Why Should I Use A Tanning Lotion?

Moist skin tans much better than dry skin, in fact, moist skin will absorb about 20% more UV light than dry skin. Using good quality tanning lotion will help you tan faster, and help your tan last longer. UV light has a drying effect on the skin so using lotions designed for indoor tanning will help put back moisture lost in the tanning process. The better condition your skin is in, the more readily it will perform as nature intended, producing melanin in response to UV exposure, resulting in a natural, healthy-looking tan.

The active ingredients in tanning lotions are the building blocks of melanin- amino acids, L-tyrosine etc. As the lotion is absorbed by the skin, these ingredients feed the melanin-producing cells to give faster tanning results. Lotions maintain skin condition & minimise dry skin cells to avoid the tan flaking off sooner. Anyone who has used a good tanning lotion will know how important it is to use one every time you tan, for the look of your tan, and for your results. Tanning without lotion is like showering without soap! Now, you wouldn’t do that, would you?

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Why Can't I Tan Every Day?

Tanning Every Day? Don't Do It! Your tan will not develop as well as if you tan every other day. Tanning is a 24 to 48 hour process, and the cells producing melanin (tanning) pigment need this time to fully respond to the UV exposure and do their job. Tanning too soon will interrupt the tanning process as your skin tries to start the process over again before the first one is complete. Also, your skin needs time to adjust back to pre-tan moisture levels to look great and tan more effectively. We know it's tempting sometimes to jump in that sunbed every day- let's face it- it feels so great! But hold yourself back to just three tans a week and you'll soon see an awesome difference in your colour and in your skin. (In fact, as you tan moderately over a longer term- you'll start to see your colour increase more on the second day after tanning than the first.)

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How Soon After Tanning Can I Shower?

Showering after tanning will not interfere with the tanning process. However, showering straight after a tanning session will wash all your lotion off. The lotion is still conditioning your skin and promoting your tanning results, so it seems a bit of a waste! Get Brown Tanning lotions contain special ingredients to inhibit after-tan odour, but if you really want to shower right after tanning, we advise that you try to wait a couple of hours at least.

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Why Do I Have Trouble Tanning My Legs?

Legs have much less melanin pigment in them than other parts of the body. Humans were designed with more melanin in the parts of the body that needed more protection from over-exposure to the sun, e.g shoulders and arms. Legs are usually ‘shaded’ by the rest of the body, so they don’t need as much protection, and therefore it will take longer for you to see tanning results on your legs. Shaving, waxing and exfoliating legs also slows down results as this strips older, tanned skin cells, revealing new untanned skin. Have patience, limit your exfoliation, or use products with bronzers or hot action in them to give legs a boost. (Try Ionyx Hot Bronzer for amazing results!)

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Why Does My Tan Fade?

Using a good quality tan accelerator lotion while tanning, as well as an extending moisturiser product in between tanning sessions, is the key to maintaining your healthy-looking tan. Extender moisturisers like California Tan’s Total Immersion contain the same tan-maximising ingredients in them as the accelerators, promoting your results even between tanning sessions. Don’t forget that your skin is constantly exfoliating and rejuvenating, so keeping your skin in great condition and locking in moisture levels is essential to keep your tan looking beautiful.

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I have a wedding in six weeks. What’s the best way for me to get brown?

There are a number of options available to you. In six weeks you will be able to fit in about 18 tanning sessions, so this is plenty of time for most skin types to get a good colour. The advantage of a natural tan achieved by moderate UV exposure is that it will condition your skin and protect you from sunburn (essential if you are off on a honeymoon to somewhere warm and exotic!) Using a tanning lotion with bronzers, such as California Tan’s CTSeven Bronzer Accelerator lotion, will give you immediate colour results while your natural tan develops and have you looking gorgeous for the big day.

If you are type 1 (see skin types) and are unable to tan naturally, then investigate your self-tanning options. You could have a spray tan or a scrub n’ tan service at a beauty salon, or do it yourself at home with self-tanners like California Tan Sunless products. Make sure you have the service or apply the self-tanner as a trial at least once before the wedding so that you are confident of the results.

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Why do I PEEL when I come back from holiday?

Indoor tanning and outdoor tanning are the same; you should only tan every SECOND day. So, while it feels fantastic to get out and sunbathe every day when you're on holidays with great weather, if you do you will severely dehydrate your skin. Generally speaking in hot, tropical places, the moisture content in the air is a lot higher than here in New Zealand, so you may well not notice the dehydrating effect your every day tanning is having. It's only when you return home to a dryer climate that your lovely tropical holiday tan starts to disintegrate and peel away when your skin has a chance to rest. This can all be avoided! Not only should you ALWAYS use tanning accelerators and SPF sun protection products when tanning, you should also only tan once every two days (stay in the shade, cover up or slather on SPFs on the non-tanning days) and ensure that you are moisturising your whole body at least twice a day during and after your holiday. Try the wonderful Total Immersion Daily Tan Extending Moisturiser- a great investment for keeping that terrific holiday colour!

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Can I tan when I'm PREGNANT?

The most important thing for you to know about tanning when you're pregnant is that UV light does not penetrate past the epidermis or outer layer of your skin, so it goes nowhere near your unborn baby. The legend of the 'roasted tanner' is just that- a story! Contrary to the way film-makers may like to portray tanning equipment, sunbeds do not emit microwaves and do not 'cook' anything, least of all you!

When you are pregnant, you are much more sensitive to HEAT, and so the sunbed environment can be uncomfortable for you.

In the THIRD trimester, tanning may bring on contractions, and you may well not feel up to it at that point anyway!

Get Brown maintains that moderate tanning can only be a good thing while you're pregnant, as the vitamin D you'll create will boost the health of you AND your baby. However, we do recommend that you consult your doctor if you are still concerned.

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