Tanning 101

Understanding Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet light, whether produced by the sun or an indoor tanning unit, consists of two components, UVA and UVB, both of which contribute differently to your tan. Our indoor tanning equipment utilizes a carefully formulated and controlled mixture of the two light waves, designed to tan you with a minimized risk of sunburn. Tanning outdoors does not give you this control, because the sun emits the entire spectrum of ultraviolet light, including the most intense rays that burn you more quickly.

That's why we call indoor tanning "Smart Tanning."

Why Redder Isn't Better

Many people grow up thinking that if they don't experience a slight red or pinkish tint after they tan that they didn't "get anything." The truth is that the red or pinkish tint you see is actually sunburn (or erythema)--your skin's worst enemy. The fact is that the sunburns we experience due to lack of information when we are growing up are the very things that lead to skin damage later in life.

Smart tanners know that the key to avoiding sunburn is moderation in terms of UV exposure. The best way to ensure a "smart tan" is to take advantage of the years of research that have gone into tanning equipment to provide you with a controlled, predictable dosage of UV light. Also, use lotions to moisturize your skin before tanning and, if you do tan outdoors, remember that the sun emits whatever types of UV rays it wants. Several other environmental factors come in to play with outdoor UV light, making exposure unpredictable.

Don't rely on the color of your skin to tell you when to get out of the sun. Overexposure isn't evident sometimes until hours after the sun's gone down. It's better to use a sunscreen and to wear protective clothing than to risk overexposure which can lead to skin damage.