Ought to You Use Tanning Lotion In A Tanning Mattress?  – Lovely With Brains

Have you ever ever stepped right into a tanning salon and stared blankly on the wall of tanning lotions, questioning, “Do you have to actually use tanning lotion in a tanning mattress?”

Truthfully, it doesn’t make a complete lot of sense at first. Why would you slather your whole physique in lotion simply to have a tanning session and go lie down in a machine that’s actually constructed to tan you? You’re paying for the UV rays, shouldn’t they do all of the work? 

Let’s break down the professionals and cons, does and don’ts… However first, a bit of disclaimer:

What Precisely Is A Tanning Mattress Lotion?

Tanning mattress lotions (additionally referred to as indoor tanning lotions) are merchandise designed to make you tan sooner once you’re uncovered to UVA rays in a tanning mattress. whereas sunscreens block UV rays to forestall tanning (and harm), these lotions encourage melanin manufacturing (aka: what makes your pores and skin darker) whereas additionally protecting your pores and skin hydrated and nourished.

Listed below are the primary elements they comprise:

1. Melanin-Stimulating Substances

These elements are designed to speed up the tanning course of by selling the manufacturing of melanin (your physique’s pure pigment chargeable for pores and skin coloration and UV safety):

• L-Tyrosine: That is the amino acid your physique must make melanin (the pigment that makes you tan). Usually your pores and skin will get it out of your bloodstream, however some tanning lotions add it on prime hoping it provides your pores and skin extra uncooked materials to work with. It will get transformed into melanin by way of a sequence response involving an enzyme referred to as tyrosinase. Is topical tyrosine confirmed to work? Not likely. But it surely’s biochemically logical, which is why it retains displaying up in formulation.
• Copper Peptides (GHK-Cu): Copper is just like the battery that powers tyrosinase, the enzyme that turns tyrosine into pigment. These peptides assist ship copper straight into your pores and skin, which can assist your melanin manufacturing run extra effectively. Bonus: additionally they assist therapeutic and assist calm irritation, which turns out to be useful after UV publicity.
• Unipertan®: A mixture of tyrosine, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and different helpers that supposedly accelerates tanning by fuelling the entire melanin-making system. The thought is strong, however the information largely comes from producers, not peer-reviewed research. Nonetheless, it’s frequent in higher-end lotions for a motive.

Associated: Are Copper Peptides Higher Than Retinoids?

2. Moisturizers 

UV radiation disrupts the stratum corneum (the outermost pores and skin layer), resulting in trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL). These elements assist retain moisture and shield barrier integrity.

• Glycerin: A powerhouse humectant. It grabs water and holds it in your pores and skin, which is vital as a result of UV publicity strips moisture quick. With out one thing like glycerin, you’ll find yourself flaky, dry, and uneven post-tan. 
• Panthenol (Professional-Vitamin B5): As soon as it sinks into your pores and skin, it turns into pantothenic acid, which helps restore the pores and skin barrier and enhance hydration. It’s additionally anti-inflammatory, so it could calm your pores and skin after it’s been blasted with UV gentle.
• Shea Butter: That is your pores and skin’s armor. It’s loaded with fatty acids that seal in moisture and stop water loss. Research present it truly helps strengthen your pores and skin barrier and cut back irritation.
• Hemp Seed Oil: Wealthy in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, this one helps replenish your pores and skin’s pure lipids and soothe irritation. Nice for anybody whose pores and skin will get purple or tight after tanning.
• Aloe Vera: You recognize this one. Basic after-sun ingredient. However in lotions, it’s not only for cooling. It accommodates polysaccharides and glycoproteins that assist your pores and skin restore itself, cut back redness, and retain moisture.

Associated: Can Aloe Vera Deal with Sunburns & Zits?

3. Bronzers 

These present tanning by way of both staining the pores and skin or chemically reacting with amino acids within the stratum corneum.

• DHA (Dihydroxyacetone): That is the stuff in self-tanners that reacts with useless pores and skin cells (particularly amino acids within the stratum corneum) to create a brown coloration. It’s referred to as the Maillard response, and it really works with none UV publicity. The colour lasts about 5–7 days. Secure for exterior use, FDA authorised.
• Erythrulose: Slower than DHA, however provides a extra pure fade and helps keep away from patchy or streaky outcomes. It reacts together with your pores and skin in an analogous manner and is commonly paired with DHA in higher formulation.
• Caramel / Walnut Shell Extract / Henna: These are surface-level colorants. They stain the outer layer of your pores and skin for speedy coloration. They don’t have an effect on melanin or stick round for lengthy, however they offer a fast visible enhance whereas your UV tan develops beneath.

Associated: How Do Self-Tanners Work?

4. Tingle Brokers

These create a flushing or “tingling” sensation by stimulating blood movement, which can enhance oxygen provide to melanocytes.

• Methyl Nicotinate: This opens up blood vessels close to the floor of your pores and skin, inflicting that scorching, tingling feeling. Extra blood movement = extra oxygen = theoretically extra melanin exercise. There’s no robust scientific proof it deepens your tan, however it undoubtedly provides that intense “tingle” impact. Not for delicate pores and skin.
• Capsaicin: Yep, identical stuff that makes chili peppers scorching. It prompts heat receptors in your pores and skin and will increase circulation. Once more, no exhausting proof it helps tanning, however it certain looks like one thing’s occurring.
• Vanillyl Butyl Ether: A gentler various to capsaicin. Warms the pores and skin with out the complete burn. Identical concept: elevated blood movement, possibly extra melanin exercise, however outcomes fluctuate from individual to individual.

5. Antioxidants 

UV publicity causes oxidative stress, damaging DNA and mobile constructions by way of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These elements assist mop up that harm.

• Vitamin E (Tocopherol): A fat-soluble antioxidant that protects your pores and skin’s cell membranes from UV harm. It additionally helps replenish what your pores and skin loses throughout solar publicity and accelerates restoration. 
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Water-soluble, brightening, and nice at combating free radicals attributable to UV gentle. It boosts collagen manufacturing and enhances the results of vitamin E when used collectively. L-Ascorbic Acid is the best for a Vitamin C, however it breaks down quick. 
• Inexperienced Tea Extract (EGCG): Comprises potent antioxidants that cut back irritation and shield pores and skin cells from UV-induced harm. Scientific research present it could cut back redness and even stop some long-term solar harm.
• Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone): Helps your pores and skin’s mitochondria (the power producers) and helps restore oxidative harm. It additionally improves firmness and elasticity over time, which makes it a strong anti-aging add-on.
• Allantoin: Calms irritation, helps cell turnover, and retains your pores and skin delicate after UV publicity. 

Abstract Desk (For Fast Reference):

Cease losing your money and time on stuff that doesn’t work. Click on on the picture beneath to obtain “Skincare That Works” and at last get your greatest pores and skin day – day by day.

The Advantages Of Utilizing A Tanning Lotion In A Tanning Mattress

That is the place science meets pores and skin logic. Tanning (indoors or outside) dries the heck out of your pores and skin. That’s as a result of UV gentle (particularly UVA, which is generally what tanning beds emit) penetrates deep into your pores and skin, damaging collagen and dehydrating it from the within out.

Utilizing a tanning mattress with out lotion is principally like flat-ironing your hair with out warmth protectant. Certain, you possibly can, however your hair’s going to finish up crispy, boring, and mad at you. Identical together with your pores and skin.

Right here’s what tanning lotion does for you and the way it improves your tanning mattress expertise:

1. Helps Your Pores and skin Tan Higher And Quicker

Moist pores and skin tans extra effectively. Dry pores and skin displays UV gentle, whereas hydrated pores and skin absorbs it extra evenly – that means you get a extra even, longer-lasting, and darker tan. Some lotions additionally embody tyrosine (an amino acid that enhances melanin manufacturing), DHA (a sunless tanning agent), or pure bronzers to hurry up outcomes.

2. Retains Your Pores and skin Mushy And Prevents Peeling

The #1 motive folks’s tans fade quick? Dry, flaky pores and skin. Tanning lotions are filled with moisturizers like shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe to assist your pores and skin keep plump, supple, and never peeling two days later.

3. Protects In opposition to Injury (Critically)

Some lotions comprise antioxidants like vitamin E, C, or inexperienced tea extract to assist combat off free radical harm from UV publicity. That received’t cease the harm utterly (UV rays are nonetheless UV rays), however it’s like giving your pores and skin a bit of little bit of armor.

Can I Simply Use My Common Physique Lotion?

Nope. Right here’s why:  Common lotions normally comprise SPF, fragrances, important oils, or alcohols that aren’t designed to be used below UV lights. They will:

• Replicate UV gentle, making your tan uneven or slower
• Injury the acrylic floor of tanning beds (sure, salons hate this)
• Trigger pores and skin irritation when uncovered to UV radiation
• Create a bizarre, greasy movie in your pores and skin

So, even when your favourite self-tanning lotion smells like a tropical trip, reserve it for after your tanning mattress session. What you need is a non-SPF, indoor-specific tanning lotion that’s made to work with the UV rays, not towards them.

However Aren’t Tanning Beds Unhealthy For You In Normal?

Yep. Let’s not sugarcoat it. Tanning beds don’t offer you a innocent “glow” – they set off mobile harm, and your tan is the seen proof of it. Tanning beds use concentrated UVA radiation, which penetrates deeper than pure daylight and accelerates pores and skin growing older, DNA mutations, and the breakdown of your pores and skin’s construction. Right here’s what truly occurs to your pores and skin in a tanning mattress, step-by-step:

Stage 1: You Lie Down, UVA Hits Arduous

The second the lights activate, these rays dive straight into the deeper layers of your pores and skin, previous the floor, into the half the place your collagen, elastin, and blood vessels reside. You received’t really feel it, however it’s already beginning to age your pores and skin from the within. That is the place all these sneaky little free radicals (ROS) get created, those that wreck your collagen and mess together with your DNA.

Stage 2: Your Pores and skin Goes “Uh Oh” And Begins Making Melanin

Melanin is your physique’s built-in protect. It’s what makes you tan, however it’s not there for aesthetics. Your pores and skin’s pumping it out to guard you from extra harm. That bronze glow? It’s your pores and skin throwing up protection partitions, not displaying off how wholesome it’s.

Stage 3: Your Pores and skin Tries To Toughen Up

Maintain tanning typically sufficient and your pores and skin begins to thicken. Actually. The outer layer bulks as much as act like armor, which sounds form of cool till your pores and skin feels tough, dry, and patchy. UV additionally strips away the oils that maintain your pores and skin delicate, so with out critical hydration, you’re left with that tight, flaky feeling nobody needs.

Stage 4: The Lengthy Recreation Hits

The extra you tan, the sooner your pores and skin loses elasticity. Assume sagging, nice traces, solar spots, uneven tone. Oh, and let’s not overlook the large one: all that repeated DNA harm provides up, and so does your danger of pores and skin most cancers. And never only one type – basal cell, squamous, even melanoma should you maintain pushing it.

That being mentioned: should you’re already selecting to make use of a tanning mattress (and also you’re an grownup who could make knowledgeable choices), utilizing a lotion is definitely safer than going with out. It protects your pores and skin barrier, reduces dryness, and might cut back the oxidative stress in your pores and skin with antioxidants.

It’s NOT safety in the way in which sunscreen is, however it’s higher than nothing.

The best way to Defend Your Pores and skin (If You’re Tanning Anyway)

f you’re stepping right into a tanning mattress, right here’s how you can not less than make it much less damaging:

• Use a lotion that truly does one thing: Not only one that smells like piña colada. Search for elements like vitamin E, vitamin C, inexperienced tea, or CoQ10. These combat off the harm UVA causes whereas your pores and skin’s busy making an attempt to guard itself.
• Hydrate such as you imply it: Dry pores and skin burns, flakes, and fades sooner. Use a lotion with stuff like glycerin, panthenol, shea butter, or hemp seed oil to maintain your pores and skin delicate and your tan from turning patchy.
• Don’t tan each different day prefer it’s your job: Your pores and skin has a restrict. As soon as melanin manufacturing maxes out, extra publicity doesn’t offer you a deeper tan. It simply breaks your pores and skin down sooner.
• Put on the rattling goggles: Closing your eyes isn’t sufficient. Tanning with out eye safety can mess up your imaginative and prescient completely – and no tan is value shedding your sight over.
• Moisturize after. No exceptions: Give your pores and skin a number of hours to course of the tan, then slather on one thing wealthy. Bonus factors if it has ceramides or panthenol to assist restore your barrier and maintain your pores and skin from peeling off in sheets.
• Get your pores and skin checked out: In case you tan repeatedly, make it a behavior to see a derm yearly. Catching bizarre moles or pores and skin adjustments early makes an enormous distinction – and no, Google can’t diagnose them for you.

What’s The Distinction Between A Tingle, Bronzer, And Accelerator?

In case you’ve ever picked up a tanning lotion and seen phrases like “tingle” or “scorching motion” on the label, right here’s the breakdown of the different sorts:

• Tingle Lotions: These enhance blood movement to the pores and skin, which helps enhance oxygen and melanin manufacturing. That ends in a deeper, darkish tan sooner. However honest warning: they sting. Your pores and skin would possibly flip purple and really feel heat for some time. Not for rookies.
• Bronzers: These comprise DHA (like in self-tanners) or pure colorants that offer you immediate coloration earlier than your UV tan even develops. Good for speedy glow, however wash your arms after making use of or danger Oompa Loompa palms.
• Accelerators (or intensifiers): These are the beginner-friendly choices. They hydrate, nourish, and enable you tan sooner with none tingling or bronzing. A protected wager in your first few classes.

What If I’m Pale AF And New To Tanning?

Don’t go right into a tanning mattress. I repeat, don’t go right into a tanning mattress. It’s NOT a good suggestion. Your pores and skin is manner too delicate for it.

And should you received’t take heed to motive, not less than do that: begin gradual. Use an accelerator lotion, go for brief classes (like 5–7 minutes), and skip something with “tingle” till you know the way your pores and skin reacts. Additionally, moisturize like your life depends upon it, earlier than and after your classes.

Professional tip: search for lotions with aloe, coconut oil, or hemp seed oil. These are usually gentler and higher for delicate or honest pores and skin.

Ought to I Use Tanning Lotion Each Time I Tan?

Sure. Each. Single. Time. Even should you’re simply doing a 5-minute upkeep session, your pores and skin nonetheless will get uncovered to UV gentle, which implies it nonetheless wants hydration and safety. Skipping lotion even as soon as can go away your pores and skin dry, patchy, and extra susceptible to irritation or early fading.

The best way to Use Tanning Lotion in a Tanning Mattress (One Bullet Per Step)

1. Exfoliate earlier within the day: Use a physique scrub or mitt to take away useless pores and skin so the lotion can take up correctly and your tan develops evenly. Don’t exfoliate proper earlier than tanning – give your pores and skin a number of hours to settle, particularly should you’re utilizing a tingle or bronzer. Clean pores and skin = longer-lasting, streak-free outcomes.
2. Begin with clear, product-free pores and skin: Skip common physique lotion, deodorant, or fragrance. These can block UV rays or mess with how the tanning lotion performs. Your pores and skin ought to be dry, clear, and able to take up the product, not layered with stuff that interferes.
3. Apply your tanning lotion generously and evenly: Cowl all areas you need tanned, and take your time mixing round tough spots like elbows, ankles, and knees. In case your lotion has bronzers, wash your arms after so that you don’t find yourself with stained palms. Wait 1–2 minutes earlier than getting within the mattress so the lotion has time to soak up.
4. Tan with protecting goggles and keep on with your timing: As soon as the lotion’s absorbed, put in your eye safety and begin your session. Don’t go over the beneficial time, particularly should you’re new or utilizing a powerful lotion. Tanning longer doesn’t imply a greater tan; it simply means extra harm.
5. Skip the bathe for a number of hours and moisturize later: Give bronzers and melanin boosters not less than 2–4 hours to develop earlier than rinsing. After that, moisturize effectively to maintain your pores and skin hydrated and your tan intact. For greatest outcomes, use a tan extender lotion day by day.

Ought to I Nonetheless Moisturize After Utilizing A Tanning Mattress?

Completely. Tanning doesn’t cease the second you step out of the mattress. Your pores and skin retains reacting to the UV publicity for hours afterward. Which means:

• Maintain your pores and skin moisturized to lock within the tan and that sun-kissed glow
• Keep away from scorching showers proper after (they dry you out)
• Use a tan extender lotion if you’d like your good tan to last more

Tan extenders normally have some DHA and additional hydration to maintain you trying golden for longer. Simply ensure they’re alcohol-free and sulfate-free.

Okay, So Which Lotion Ought to I Really Purchase?

That depends upon your targets and pores and skin sort. Right here’s a fast cheat sheet:

What Are The Greatest Tanning Mattress Lotions?

• Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses (£31.99): This one’s made for anybody who needs a natural-looking tan with out counting on bronzers. It’s filled with coconut milk, coconut oil, and cocoa butter to deeply hydrate and shield your pores and skin whereas tyrosine helps melanin manufacturing for gradual, even coloration. Bonus: it helps maintain tattoos trying recent, making it an awesome on a regular basis lotion for constant tanners. Out there at Amazon
• Australian Gold Speedy Tanning Intensifier (£23.99): Excellent if you wish to construct your base tan rapidly with out utilizing DHA or immediate bronzers. It preps your pores and skin with Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and Tea Tree Oil – elements that soothe, hydrate, and maintain your pores and skin barrier glad when you tan. An awesome choose for rookies or anybody who needs coloration with out dedication. Out there at Amazon and Superdrug

The Backside Line: Is It Value Utilizing Tanning Lotion In A Tanning Mattress

In case you’re going to tan indoors, tanning lotion is 100% value it. You’ll get higher, deeper, longer-lasting outcomes, your pores and skin will thanks for the hydration, and also you’ll cut back a few of the oxidative stress attributable to UV rays. Simply be sure you’re selecting a salon-approved, indoor-specific system (no outside tanning lotions!) – and don’t be tempted by TikTok DIY hacks that contain cooking oil or expired self-tanner. Please. And keep in mind: irrespective of how a lot lotion you utilize, moderation is vital. Your pores and skin is with you for all times. Deal with it prefer it issues.

Bonus tip: In case you’re utilizing a tanning mattress repeatedly, get your pores and skin checked yearly by a dermatologist. It’s simply sensible.

About Gio

Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that will help you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – day by day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising and marketing jargon that will help you work out what’s well worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that will help you create the very best skincare routine in your distinctive wants.