User Guide for Safer Tanning

If you use commercial equipment or home equipment this guide is intended for your safety.

Sunbeds.

Usually Sunbeds are lower powered than VTU's providing a more leisurely way to absorb UV light.

Vertical Tanning Units (VTU).

Very much higher powered these units are for people in a hurry, the stand up units have typical tanning sessions ranging from 3mins to 15mins.

Skin Types

Our natural colour is determined by skin pigment and the presence and amount of melanin in an individual is determined by hereditary factors. 

A simple way to determine your skin type is to look at the way your skin reacts to natural light.

As a rule of thumb skin types fall into 4 categories:

1. People with very fair skin and often with red hair and freckles who cannot tan but burn in sunlight. You are advised NOT to use indoor tanning equipment and use maximum SPF protection outside.

2. People with fairish skin who do tan but burn easily in the early stages need to be patient and take controlled limited exposure before achieving a tan. They should also start with the minimum recommended session times and build up gradually.

3. People with brownish white skin who tan easily but can burn if over exposed. You should respect that you can still burn without a base tan.

4. People with dark skin who tan easily and who hardly ever burn, but even so need to be careful they don't go through prolonged over exposure.

EYE PROTECTION SHOULD BE WORN ALWAYS.

(The eyelid offers no protection against UV rays).

No one under the age of 16 should use indoor equipment.

After using a Sunbed or VTU further UV  sessions should be avoided for 24 hours.

Non attended tanning salons should be avoided for various reasons not least the health issues associated with hygiene.

The use of tanning equipment has many benefits for people with skin problems and SAD as well as providing us with a healthier appearance but users should always listen to the advise given to them from equipment operators and BE SAFE!