How to Use a Tanning Bed Safely

Tanning beds do more than just give you a great tan year round. These are a great source of relaxation. With my skin complexion I am only able to do this for 4-5 minutes a day. But I love those few minutes of relaxation. After a tanning session I feel so energized and recharged.

Tanning beds come in different styles. The one that I enjoy the most for relaxation is a bed that I can lay down in. I have tried the stand up booths but found that they do not provide the level of relaxation that I want.

A lot of people are still scared about the health risks of tanning beds. I can understand these fears. I myself have had those fears when I first started. The health scare is a valid concern, but people need to realize that you can tan in a tanning bed safely. By following safety precautions you can also enjoy these wonderful relaxing past time, without the health risks.

For starters, I cannot stress enough the need for sunscreen prior to tanning in the tanning bed. Sunscreen will block any harmful rays that the tanning bed puts out. After tanning you need to use a good moisturizer. This will prevent your skin from drying out.

Do not stay in the tanning bed to the point of your skin burning. Any amount of burning will damage your skin and put you at risk of skin cancer. The whole concept of you must burn to tan is just a bunch of nonsense. You can safely tan without the burn. It may take a little longer for your skin pigment to start to change but it is safer than burning. So only stay in for the maximum that you can without burning.

Wear your protective eye goggles. This is a major must for anyone tanning in a tanning bed. Without these goggles you can get cancer of the eyes. Most tanning salons will show you a picture of this, so that you know what can happen to you. Make sure also that you only tan at a place that fully sterilizes their eye goggles. Without proper sterilization the eye goggles can cause an eye infection.

I would not recommend no matter how relaxing this is for anyone who is pregnant. Tanning beds heat up and raise your body temperature. This rise in body temperature is not healthy for you baby. That is why it is recommended that pregnant women refrain from taking hot baths and soaking in a hot tub. Same rules for these apply to tanning beds.

Follow safety guidelines and tips and you can have a safe tanning experience. Most employees at a tanning salon are fully trained on the use of their equipment. So listen to what they tell you and follow the advice that they give you. They know when new bulbs have been put into a tanning bed, what level of UVA and UVB rays the bed uses and so forth. Take it from a tanning bed lover, put safety first when using a tanning bed.