Sunbeds

Using a sunbed is a quick, convenient and easy process but there are a couple of things to ensure before our Tanning Spa salon.

Never consume alcohol or illegal substances prior to using a sunbed and always stick to the recommended exposure time for your skin type – we’ll help you establish this when you join. We can provide wink-ease eye protectors free of charge and these should be worn at all times during the UV tanning. You should also make sure you drink plenty of water before using our product. Avoid applying any cosmetic products on your skin before tanning. Some cosmetics, deodorants and similar preparations for use on the skin can increase sensitivity to UV radiation. It is best not to use them immediately before a tanning session and to wash off any that are on the skin, before using the equipment

Tanning sessions should be built up gradually as parts of the body less exposed to the sun will require shorter session times e.g. under the arms, sides of the torso.

Once inside our locked rooms and changed you should use the sanitiser available to wipe down the bed and remove all jewellery. If using stand up equipment, stand in the centre of the chamber facing the doorway with your arms above you on the hand straps. No oils are permitted as they’re dangerous to you and the equipment. We supply a range of tanning lotions designed to improve your results.

You should wait a minimum of 24 hours before your next tanning session or before bathing in natural sunlight.

If you experience any redness you should wait until these have disappeared before commencing on your next session. We recommend that you moisturise your skin thoroughly to achieve optimum results and our range of tanning lotions can help to maximise the effect of our beds. If you suffer any abnormal reactions to your tanning time during or after the session you should stop immediately and seek medical advice.

As with exposure to natural sunlight, too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from tanning equipment can damage your skin and sometimes your general health. Short-term damaging effects are as follows:

• Sunburnt skin, which becomes painful, red and may blister and peel.
• Skin dryness and itching.
• Bumpy itchy rash.
• Eye irritation or conjunctivitis, (if suitable goggles are not worn).

There may also be long-term health effects including:

• Premature ageing of the skin
• Skin cancer – the more exposures, the greater the risks
• Increased risk of cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye) later in life, (if suitable goggles are not worn).

Some people are more prone to skin damage caused by UV radiation than others. We recommend that you avoid tanning equipment if:

• You have particularly sensitive skin
• You are under 18
• You have fair sensitive skin that burns easily or tans slowly or poorly
• You have a history of sunburn, especially in childhood
• You have a large number of freckles and/or red hair
• You have a large number of moles
• You are taking medicines or using creams which may sensitise the skin to sunlight
• You have a medical condition that is worsened by sunlight
• You or anyone in your family have had a skin cancer in the past.
• You are pregnant

If you have any doubts, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use tanning equipment.

As a general guide it is best not to exceed 20 sessions per year; make a note of your number of sessions so you do not forget.

Tell the staff about your normal skin reaction to sunlight, bearing in mind that you may be exposing parts of your body not normally visible to the sun.

Our trained staff will help guide you on the recommended usage time. Don’t try to get a quick tan by exceeding the suggested times or by having more than one session a day/sunbathing on the same day.

The Golden Rule of Tanning.. DO NOT Overdo it!

This is the most important rule of all, which means that you should sunbathe no more than once a day. The rule of thumb is a maximum of ten times within a fortnight to three weeks. One to two times a week are sufficient to conserve the tan reached. In addition, the following tips should be observed.

Seek advice about any problems

If you notice any abnormal skin reactions developing during the tanning session, stop the exposure at once and do not use tanning equipment again before consulting a doctor. Always Seek medical advice if you notice any change in the appearance of a mole.

Protect your eyes

Make sure you use the goggles or other eye protection provided, before using the equipment; these should be worn all the time the equipment is switched on; if no eye protection is used, do not use the equipment.

Don’t rely on your tan for protection

The tan obtained from cosmetic tanning equipment can give some mild protection from burning when you go into the sun, but it never gives complete protection. Nor does it provide much protection against the long-term health risks mentioned earlier. You should still follow sensible advice on safety in the sun such by using adequate sun protection.

No matter whether you get your tan from the sun or tanning equipment, you should learn to recognise the early warning signs of serious damage.

Sunlight is energy, which is transferred by means of electro-magnetic rays or waves with different wave lengths. We can differentiate between ultra-violet rays (UV light), visible light, and warm infra-red radiation (IR light). The UV light is subdivided up into UV-A, UV-B and UV-C rays. The dangerous UV-C rays are filtered out by the atmosphere and do not reach the surface of the earth. The composition and strength of UV-A and UV-B rays varies and depends on the time of day and year, air pollution, degree of latitude North or South, and the intensity of reflection (water, snow etc) for example.

The skin is the largest regulatory and protective organ of our body. Through the skin we not only make physical contact but also sensual contact to our environment.

The production of melanin is the body’s inherent protection against sunlight. The UV-B rays encourage the cells of the epidermis ( the elanocytes) to produce more white melanin pigments, which, on their way to the upper dermal layer, are tanned by the UV-A rays and the oxygen contained in the blood ( indirect pigmentation ).

If a preliminary pigmentation has taken place already, the skin will be tanned immediately by UV-A rays (direct pigmentation) The pleasant effects of UV rays on the body and soul have been substantiated by medicine. The natural formation of vitamin D3 takes place only in the sun or on a sunbed – or put more precisely – under the influence of UV-B rays. Vitamin D3 is an important hormone for the protection of bone, protecting against osteoporosis. Due to the formation of vitamin D3 calcium is deposited in the bones.

Still further positive properties are attributed to this “sun hormone”. It stimulates the immune system, increases the body’s own physical powers, alleviates depressions and has a positive affect on the heart and circulation. Even skin diseases are treated with UV light with great success, such as acne, psoriasis and neurodermatitis.

Depending on the type of skin, people react differently to sunlight. You should know your type of skin for correct enjoyment of the sun and sunbeds. World-wide, six types of skin are differentiated – the first four types of skin occur most frequently in Europe.

Skin type 1 ( approx 2% of all Central Europeans):
Remarkably light skin, reddish hair, blue eyes, very strong tendency to develop a sunburn.

Skin type 2 ( approx 12% of all Central Europeans):
Light skin, blond to medium-brown hair, blue to grey or green eyes, strong tendency to develop sunburn.

Skin type 3 ( approx 78% of all Central Europeans):
Normal skin, dark-blond to brown hair, grey to brown eyes, moderate tendency to develop a sunburn.

Skin type 4 ( approx 8% of all Central Europeans):
Light-brown to olive-coloured skin, dark hair and eyes, slight tendency to develop a sunburn.

Even in winter with little sunshine we can provide ourselves with the missing sunshine on a sunbed. Contrary to the natural sun, which is subject to strong variations, tanning on a sunbed can be used precisely and individually.