Tanning Information

Skin Type & Sunscreens Information

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 balance the risks and benefits of 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 in accordance with their particular tanning equipment.

The following six skin types have been identified- these are known as the Fitzpatrick Skin Types- and 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

 

 


Sunscreens

Sunscreens, sunblocks, suntan lotions: which SPF is right for me?
The table below is a helfpul guide for California Tan sunscreen use according to your skin type.


NB: the following assumes full, constant sun exposure at the hottest part of a clear day at normal evelvation, without swimming or excessive sweating.  Times should be adjusted as appropriate for cloud cover, elevation, activities, clothing and shade. 

Sun Product Who & When is it suitable for?
SPF30 Sunblock Lotion
or
SPF30 Continuous Spray
Skin types 1-2 for very high sunblock protection, reapply hourly. Skin type 3 for very high sunblock protection, reapply every 1-2 hours. Skin type 4 for extreme sunblock protection, reapply every  2-3 hours. Not recommended for use for skin types 5 or 6.
SPF15 Suntan Lotion
or
SPF15 Continuous Spray
Not suitable for skin type 1. Skin type 2 for moderate sunscreen protection and tanning help, reapply every 30 minutes - 1 hour.  Skin type 3 should use SPF 15 for moderate burn protection and tanning help, reapply every 1-2 hours.  Skin type 4 & 5 may use SPF15 for fairly high level burn protection, reapply every 2-4 hours.  Not recommended for use for skin type 6.
SPF8 Sunscreen Lotion
or
SPF8 Continuous Spray
Not suitable for skin type 1. Skin type 2 for low sunscreen protection and sun-tanning help, reapply every 15-30 minutes.  Skin type 3 for sun-tanning help with moderate burn protection, reapply hourly.  Skin type 4 for moderate sunscreen protection and tanning help, reapply every 1-2 hours.  Skin type 5 for very high burn protection, reapply every 2-3 hours.  Not recommended for use for skin type 6.
SPF6 Sunscreen Dry Oil Spray Not suitable for skin type 1. Not recommended for skin type 2.  Skin type 3 & 4 for sun-tanning help with low burn protection, reapply every 30 minutes to 1 hr.  Skin type 5 for moderate burn protection & suntan help, reapply every 1-2 hrs.  Skin type 6 for extreme sunburn protection, reapply every 3-4 hrs. 
SPF4 Sunscreen Lotion Not suitable for skin type 1. Not recommended for skin type 2. Skin type 3 & 4 for sun-tanning help with very low burn protection, reapply every 15-30 mins. Skin type 5 for low burn protection & tanning help, reapply every 30mins - 1hr. Skin type 6 for very high burn protection, reapply every 2-3 hrs.