How Often Should You Lay In A Tanning Bed?

If you’re someone who likes to maintain a golden tan all year round, tanning beds may be your go-to option. However, it’s crucial to understand the appropriate frequency for tanning bed sessions to avoid any negative consequences. In this article, we’ll discuss how often you should lay in a tanning bed and the effects of frequent tanning bed use.

How Often Should You Lay In A Tanning Bed?

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends avoiding tanning beds entirely. However, suppose you still insist on using a tanning bed. In that case, it’s recommended that you limit your sessions to no more than once a week, with a maximum of 12 to 20 minutes per session. Overindulging in tanning bed sessions increases the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.

Indoor tanning can increase the risk of developing the two most common types of skin cancer — squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%. American Academy of Dermatology said

In the first week

First, you should inspect the tanning bed label once you visit your tanning salon during the first week of tan. Since sunlamps in indoor tanning do not produce the same ultraviolet light intensity, the FDA regulates that the product label mentions suggested usage frequency and exposure times.

Thus, not to exceed the guidelines on the product label. Notably, the FDA recommends tanning 3 sessions for the time trial, either for the first week or later, and not tanning on consecutive days.

These sessions may enable the skin’s melanin to oxidize, darken the cells, and develop a tan. Lighter skin may necessitate a few additional sessions.

After the first week

After you have got a tan, either in the first week or later and no matter your skin type is, the AAD.org suggests limiting your tanning frequency to 1 sessions per week to darken and keep your tan, even if you can tan for the whole exposure duration specified on the label.

When your tan begins to fade before the next visit, it is normally advised to wait for 48 hours at a minimum between sessions to allow your tan to develop regularly and the cells to build properly, as well as to allow the skin to relax, rejuvenate, and heal the damaged cells.

You should not tan every day in a tanning bed.

Is It Possible To Tan In A Tanning Bed Twice In Two Days?

Even though you can plan your second tanning bed visits the day after the first, we do not recommend you tan for two days in a row because excessive tanning bed visits can harm your skin, causing burns and premature aging.

When your tan fades away before the next appointment, it is highly suggested that you should leave 48 hours between them to permit the tan to build steadily and the cells to grow in a safe manner. It also allows the skin to renew and restore damaged cells.

If you want to get a base tan before taking a vacation, begin tanning three weeks ahead of time. In all, you ought to avoid needless sessions to protect the skin from burning and brown spots.

Many factors affect the time you need to get your desired tan.

Frequently Asked Question

How Long Does One Minute Laying In A Tanning Bed Equate To Sun Exposure?

Despite common opinion, using a tanning bed on such a hot day is not a straight substitute for outside in the sun. In fact, 1 minute on a sunbed is equivalent to around 12 minutes in direct sun. 

Then, you can start calculating how much time it takes to get a natural tan versus using a tanning bed.

Unless you can stand in the sun for far too long, you had better not spend too much time in a tanning bed, mainly because a sunbed is more intense than simply lounging in the sunlight.

Here is the table contrasting time spent on a tanning bed with time spent in the sun!

Is Tanning In A Bed Safe?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. People who assume direct sunlight to be more dangerous than frequent tanning bed processes can be making themselves at a higher risk for skin cancer since they have been seduced into a false perception.

It is because a tanning bed session may bring you several disadvantages as follow:

Premature aging

Indoor tanning radiates UVA radiation, entering your skin deeper, inducing genetic harm to cells and suppressing the immune system, and destroying collagen, which is the fundamental building component of the skin, as well as elasticity, which makes you appear younger.

Also, tanning beds may cause dark patches and brittle, wrinkled skin, which can be expensive to cure later on in life.

Eye risks

Once you lay in a tanning bed, you increase your chances of developing ocular melanoma and cataracts. As stated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tanning beds generate 100 times higher UV levels or the predicted ultraviolet radiation intensity than the sun.

Therefore, it can cause significant harm to the exterior and internal tissues of the eyelids and eyes. As a result, you had better take necessary care to shield your eyes from damaging UVA radiation by wearing goggles while tanning and having annual eye checkups.

Melanoma

Both indoors and outdoors, tanning is hazardous.

Especially, UVB rays from tanning beds may raise your risk of acquiring melanoma, the most severe type of skin cancer.

It is because these rays will enter the top layer of the skin, called the epidermis, and cause cell damage and produce sunburn, which is a potential risk for skin cancer, particularly melanoma.

The proof is compelling that the United States Food and Drug Administration, also known as FDA, enforces safety warnings on all tanning beds equipment. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a single indoor tanning process may increase the chance of acquiring melanoma by about 20%.

How Old Can You Use A Tanning Bed?

Although UV light exposure is pretty stable across age ranges, evidence shows that high-risk exposure occurs more frequently in teenagers.

Moreover, severe sunburns and excessive youth exposure dramatically raise the risk of skin cancer later on in life.

That is why several states and territories have banned children from using tanning beds. In fact, each state and each country will have a specific law as to how old you can use a tanning bed.

In general, those under 18 years old are not recommended to lay in a tanning bed. In some states, the age restriction is even 16 years old. Please check restrict access to indoor tanning equipment from Aad.org before going to tanning salon. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/awareness/dangers-tanning

Others allow minors to tan if they have a doctor’s note. Some allow you to tan like a teenager with your parent’s permission.

If you are too young, avoid using a tanning bed to minimize the risk of getting cancer.

Final Thoughts

While tanning beds may be a quick and convenient way to get a tan, it’sessential to limit your use to once a week for no more than 12-20 minutes per session. It’s also important to keep in mind that tanning beds are not suitable for everyone, especially those with fair skin, a history of skin cancer, or taking medication that makes them sensitive to light. Always take precautions when using tanning beds and follow safe tanning practices to minimize the risk of skin damage.