In the old days, the only way of getting a tan was lying down under the sun, but now you can get electric sun tanning. However, tanning is an aesthetic treatment and has become popular over the last few years.
If you want to get tanned but do not have the opportunity to get under sunlight, you can go to an electric sun tanning salon. However, if you are unfamiliar with electric tanning treatment, this guide is for you.
We will discuss the details, pros, and cons of electric tanning to everything in between.
Table Of Contents
Electric Sun Tanning – Is It Safe?
A sunbed, also known as a solarium, is a horizontal tanning bed with a detachable shield and sunlamps that simulate the UV rays from the sun to give users a false tan.
Generally, electric tanning uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation that darkens the skin color. Usually, electric sun tanning salons use a tanning bed, a device for indoor tanning.
However, the bed may use UVA or UVB rays to darken the skin. The UVA is a classification of UV rays that use the longest wavelength. It gives instant tanning, so if you are in a hurry, you can choose the UVA.
On the other hand, UVB has a medium wavelength, so it takes slightly longer to tan. It usually affects the skin cells from the top layer of a person. The UVB process uses UV bulbs or lamps installed beneath the tanning bed.
How Long Does Electric Tanning Last?
Electric tan or spray tan gives you a healthy and shining glow. But these are not permanent solutions. Over time tan fades away when the skin starts exfoliating itself.
How long electric tanning lasts depends on the tanning bed the electric sun tanning salon uses. Also, it depends on how deep the UV rays penetrate your skin.
However, if you get tanning from a low-pressure bed, then it may last for 7 to 10 days on average.
On the other hand, tanning from a high-pressure bed lasts for 30 days on average.
Keep in mind the skin maintains its natural exfoliation cycle, so the tanning will fade away gradually.
Tips For Make Your Tan Lasts Longer
As you already know how long the tan will last, here are some tips for you on how you can make it last longer. Follow the steps below to make the tan longer.
Prepare Your Skin
Make sure you prepare your skin ready to get tan. And pre-tan skin care is essential as it also affects how long the tan lasts. Hence, exfoliate your skin at least four hours ago. Make sure to wear loose-fitting clothes. Take a shower a few hours ago, and do not apply moisturizer.
Avoid Tight Cloth
Tight cloth rubs your skin that removes the skin tan quickly. So, do not wear tight clothes.
Do Not Exfoliate Skin
If you want your tan to stay away quickly, then do not exfoliate the skin. And take a shower at least 8 hours later.
Stay Away from Moisturizer
Avoid using moisturizer for at least 4 to 5 hours after getting an electric tan.
Also, avoid swimming, steam rooms, or saunas. These will help your tan last for a long time.
Benefits of Electric Sun Tanning
It has some benefits when you get a tan from an electric tanning salon. But you have to follow the safety rules as well. However, here are the advantages of tanning –
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is essential for our body, and you can also get it from the electric bed. This vitamin makes our bones strong plus preserves efficient muscles.
Improve Your Mood
During tanning, our body gets endorphins which is a happiness hormone. Hence, it helps in improving your mood and makes you look attractive.
Improve the Look
If you want to improve your look instantly, a solarium or tanning bed is the quickest way.
Risk of Electric Sun Tanning
Tanning salons usually use a lamp, which leads to severe health issues. In addition, there are many risks of electric sun tanning. An electric tan is unsafe; each time you get electric UV rays, it increases the risk of several diseases.
Cancer Risk
According to research, tanning beds increase the risk of skin cancers. And the risk goes up each time you visit a tanning bed.
Electric beds increase the risk of skin cancer by up to 75% if you are under 35 since they include life-threatening melanoma – the Skin Cancer Foundation report.
Melanoma is the most dangerous skin cancer that can spread to any organ of your body.
Premature Aging
Generally, tanning reduces the elasticity of our skin, which causes premature wrinkles.
Eye Damage
While tanning, wearing goggles is a must. If you do not wear glass properly, it will damage your eye. In addition, exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes irreversible damage to your eyes.
Allergic Reaction
If you have sensitive skin, UV radiation gradually develops an itchy red rash or other severe effects on your skin.
Skin Burn
Using a tanning bed can cause skin burns if the bed gets too hot or due to the loss of consciousness.
Makes Stretch Marks Noticeable
Electric sun tanning makes stretch marks visible. But if you choose a self-tanner, this will hide these marks.
Other risks of tanning beds are it affects the blood vessels and increases the risk of melanoma, as discussed above. Also, it may cause fainting, coughing, asthma, rosacea, damage to living cells, and increased sunburns.
Moreover, it affects our immune system suppression. Overexposure to UV rays weakens the normal function of our body, causing certain skin damage.
Know Your Skin
If you regularly go for electric tanning, you have a high risk of skin cancer. If you feel any skin issues, visit a doctor as soon as possible.
But if you ask our opinion on whether you should go for electric tanning, we do not encourage anyone to fake tanning. It has many health risks, as you can see. And can permanently damage your skin. So, if you still want to know whether electric sun tanning is good, then the answer is NO, it is not!
