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, “Must you actually use tanning lotion in a tanning mattress?”

Truthfully, it doesn’t make an entire 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 little bit 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 quicker 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 conserving your pores and skin hydrated and nourished.

Listed here are the primary components they comprise:

1. Melanin-Stimulating Elements

These components 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 colour 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 offers your pores and skin extra uncooked materials to work with. It will get transformed into melanin via a sequence response involving an enzyme referred to as tyrosinase. Is topical tyrosine confirmed to work? Probably not. But it surely’s biochemically logical, which is why it retains exhibiting 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 instantly into your pores and skin, which can assist your melanin manufacturing run extra effectively. Bonus: additionally they help 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 hurries up tanning by fuelling the entire melanin-making system. The thought is stable, however the information largely comes from producers, not peer-reviewed research. Nonetheless, it’s frequent in higher-end lotions for a cause.

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 components assist retain moisture and shield barrier integrity.

• Glycerin: A powerhouse humectant. It grabs water and holds it in your pores and skin, which is essential 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 may 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 really helps strengthen your pores and skin barrier and scale 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 crimson or tight after tanning.
• Aloe Vera:  this one. Traditional after-sun ingredient. However in lotions, it’s not only for cooling. It incorporates polysaccharides and glycoproteins that assist your pores and skin restore itself, scale back redness, and retain moisture.

Associated: Can Aloe Vera Deal with Sunburns & Pimples?

3. Bronzers 

These present tanning via 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 colour. It’s referred to as the Maillard response, and it really works with none UV publicity. The colour lasts about 5–7 days. Protected for exterior use, FDA accredited.
• Erythrulose: Slower than DHA, however offers a extra pure fade and helps keep away from patchy or streaky outcomes. It reacts along 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 quick colour. They don’t have an effect on melanin or stick round for lengthy, however they provide 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 circulate, 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 circulate = extra oxygen = theoretically extra melanin exercise. There’s no sturdy medical proof it deepens your tan, but it surely positively offers that intense “tingle” impact. Not for delicate pores and skin.
• Capsaicin: Yep, similar stuff that makes chili peppers scorching. It prompts heat receptors in your pores and skin and will increase circulation. Once more, no onerous proof it helps tanning, but it surely certain seems like one thing’s occurring.
• Vanillyl Butyl Ether: A gentler various to capsaicin. Warms the pores and skin with out the complete burn. Similar concept: elevated blood circulate, possibly extra melanin exercise, however outcomes range from individual to individual.

5. Antioxidants 

UV publicity causes oxidative stress, damaging DNA and mobile buildings by way of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These components 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 hurries up restoration. 
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Water-soluble, brightening, and nice at combating free radicals brought on by UV gentle. It boosts collagen manufacturing and enhances the consequences of vitamin E when used collectively. L-Ascorbic Acid is the simplest for a Vitamin C, but it surely breaks down quick. 
• Inexperienced Tea Extract (EGCG): Incorporates potent antioxidants that scale back irritation and shield pores and skin cells from UV-induced harm. Scientific research present it may scale back redness and even stop some long-term solar harm.
• Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone): Helps your pores and skin’s mitochondria (the vitality producers) and helps restore oxidative harm. It additionally improves firmness and elasticity over time, which makes it a stable anti-aging add-on.
• Allantoin: Calms irritation, helps cell turnover, and retains your pores and skin gentle after UV publicity. 

Abstract Desk (For Fast Reference):

FUNCTION	SCIENCE-BASED INGREDIENTS
Melanin Stimulation	L-Tyrosine, Copper Peptides, Unipertan
Deep Moisture & Barrier Restore	Glycerin, Panthenol, Hemp Seed Oil, Shea Butter
Speedy/DHA-Primarily based Colour	DHA, Erythrulose, Caramel, Walnut Extract
Tingle Impact (Vasodilation)	Methyl Nicotinate, Capsaicin, Vanillyl Butyl Ether
Antioxidant Safety	Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Inexperienced Tea Extract, CoQ10, Allantoin

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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 finest pores and skin day – day-after-day.

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The Advantages Of Utilizing A Tanning Lotion In A Tanning Mattress

That is the place science meets pores and skin logic. Tanning (indoors or open air) dries the heck out of your pores and skin. That’s as a result of UV gentle (particularly UVA, which is usually 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 mainly like flat-ironing your hair with out warmth protectant. Positive, you possibly can, however your hair’s going to finish up crispy, boring, and mad at you. Similar along 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 cause individuals’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 (Significantly)

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

Can I Simply Use My Common Physique Lotion?

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

• Mirror 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 Basic?

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 old, DNA mutations, and the breakdown of your pores and skin’s construction. Right here’s what really occurs to your pores and skin in a tanning mattress, step-by-step:

Stage 1: You Lie Down, UVA Hits Exhausting

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 gained’t really feel it, but it surely’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 along 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, but it surely’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 exhibiting off how wholesome it’s.

Stage 3: Your Pores and skin Tries To Toughen Up

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

Stage 4: The Lengthy Sport Hits

The extra you tan, the quicker your pores and skin loses elasticity. Suppose sagging, advantageous strains, solar spots, uneven tone. Oh, and let’s not overlook the massive one: all that repeated DNA harm provides up, and so does your threat of pores and skin most cancers. And never only one form – basal cell, squamous, even melanoma if you happen to preserve pushing it.

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

It’s NOT safety in the best way sunscreen is, but it surely’s higher than nothing.

Defend Your Pores and skin (If You’re Tanning Anyway)

f you’re stepping right into a tanning mattress, right here’s the way to no 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 components like vitamin E, vitamin C, inexperienced tea, or CoQ10. These struggle off the harm UVA causes whereas your pores and skin’s busy attempting to guard itself.
• Hydrate such as you imply it: Dry pores and skin burns, flakes, and fades quicker. Use a lotion with stuff like glycerin, panthenol, shea butter, or hemp seed oil to maintain your pores and skin gentle 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 quicker.
• 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 just a few 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 preserve your pores and skin from peeling off in sheets.
• Get your pores and skin checked out: In case you tan usually, make it a behavior to see a derm every year. Catching bizarre moles or pores and skin modifications 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 circulate to the pores and skin, which helps enhance oxygen and melanin manufacturing. That leads to a deeper, darkish tan quicker. However truthful warning: they sting. Your pores and skin may flip crimson and really feel heat for some time. Not for learners.
• Bronzers: These comprise DHA (like in self-tanners) or pure colorants that offer you instantaneous colour earlier than your UV tan even develops. Good for quick glow, however wash your fingers after making use of or threat Oompa Loompa palms.
• Accelerators (or intensifiers): These are the beginner-friendly choices. They hydrate, nourish, and allow you to tan quicker with none tingling or bronzing. A secure wager on your first few periods.

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 if you happen to gained’t take heed to cause, no less than do that: begin gradual. Use an accelerator lotion, go for brief periods (like 5–7 minutes), and skip something with “tingle” till you understand how your pores and skin reacts. Additionally, moisturize like your life is determined by it, earlier than and after your periods.

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

Ought to I Use Tanning Lotion Each Time I Tan?

Sure. Each. Single. Time. Even if you happen to’re simply doing a 5-minute upkeep session, your pores and skin nonetheless will get uncovered to UV gentle, which suggests 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.

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 just a few hours to settle, particularly if you happen to’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 needs 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 difficult spots like elbows, ankles, and knees. In case your lotion has bronzers, wash your fingers 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 persist with your timing: As soon as the lotion’s absorbed, put in your eye safety and begin your session. Don’t go over the really helpful time, particularly if you happen to’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 just a few hours and moisturize later: Give bronzers and melanin boosters no 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 finest outcomes, use a tan extender lotion every 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:

• Preserve 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 would like your excellent tan to last more

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

Okay, So Which Lotion Ought to I Truly Purchase?

That is determined by your objectives and pores and skin sort. Right here’s a fast cheat sheet:

Pores and skin Sort / Purpose	Really helpful Lotion Sort
First time / Pale pores and skin	Accelerator with out bronzer
Need a darker tan quick	Bronzer or bronzer + accelerator
Skilled tanner	Tingle + bronzer combo
Dry or delicate pores and skin	Aloe or hemp-based formulation
Need glow with no UV	Sunless tanner (no mattress wanted)

What Are The Finest Tanning Mattress Lotions?

• Ed Hardy Coconut Kisses (£31.99): This one’s made for anybody who desires 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 colour. Bonus: it helps preserve tattoos trying contemporary, making it a terrific on a regular basis lotion for constant tanners. Obtainable at Amazon
• Australian Gold Fast Tanning Intensifier (£23.99): Good if you wish to construct your base tan rapidly with out utilizing DHA or instantaneous bronzers. It preps your pores and skin with Aloe Vera, Vitamin E, and Tea Tree Oil – components that soothe, hydrate, and preserve your pores and skin barrier comfortable whilst you tan. A fantastic choose for learners or anybody who desires colour with out dedication. Obtainable 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 scale back among the oxidative stress brought on by UV rays. Simply be sure to’re selecting a salon-approved, indoor-specific formulation (no outside tanning lotions!) – and don’t be tempted by TikTok DIY hacks that contain cooking oil or expired self-tanner. Please. And bear in mind: irrespective of how a lot lotion you employ, moderation is essential. 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 usually, 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 finest pores and skin day ever – day-after-day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that will help you determine what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that will help you create one of the best skincare routine on your distinctive wants.