FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How quickly you’ll see results depends on your skin type, which tanning equipment you use, how long your tanning sessions are, how frequently you’re tanning, whether you’re using a tanning lotion or not, and what your at-home skincare routine is. On average, many people see noticeable results after 3-6 sessions. Using a tanning sticker, wearing a bathing suit, or a bra and/or underwear every time you tan will help you to see results much easier due to the ability to compare the “before and after”. A base tan typically develops within 1-2 weeks of regular use.

The UV-tanning process takes time and is not something that should be rushed due to the potential damage that can occur. Overexposure to UV light will hinder tanning results! Burning, even slightly, is the skin's natural reaction to overexposure - it is a visible sign of DNA damage to your skin cells. Your body responds by trying to repair skin cells or undergoes apoptosis (kills off the damaged skin cells).  This means any progress you've seen while tanning will essentially disappear and you will have to "start over." Repeated DNA damage increases your risk of skin cancer, especially melanoma, and premature signs of aging. Even one sunburn can cause permanent damage so prevention is key.

If you’re looking for more immediate results, we recommend a sunless tan via the VersaSpa spray tan booth, a Norvell Handheld spray tan, or an at-home sunless tanner.

Yes, but it's more prone to burning than tanning. People with Fitzpatrick Skin Types 1-2 (very fair to fair skin) have less melanin which makes the tanning process slower and increases the risk of sunburn, skin damage, and potentially skin cancer.  (See "What is the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale?")

It is important to be cautious and start with shorter tanning sessions to avoid overexposure. 

How long your tanning sessions are depends on your skin type and the tanning equipment you use - and the recommended type of tanning equipment you use depends on your skin type, tanning goals, and risk tolerance. All tanning equipment provides a "Manufacturer's Exposure Schedule" which is posted on a label on the equipment. A Manufacturer's Exposure Schedule provides guidelines on exposure times based on your skin type, the equipment's UV output (UVA vs UVB ratio), and lamp intensity and type (low-pressure, high-pressure, hybrid, etc.) Do not exceed the manufacturer's recommended exposure time. All tanning equipment is different and the manufacturer's recommended tan times will be different on each bed. One of our trained Tanning Consultants can help determine your skin type and recommended specific tanning equipment which will determine your recommended exposure time.

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale is a classification system used to describe how different skin types respond to UV rays. (See "What is the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale?")

You can wear whatever you feel comfortable in, but it's recommended to wear minimal clothing to ensure maximum skin exposure with no tan lines, however, be cautious with sensitive areas that aren’t typically exposed to UV light. Some individuals choose to wear a bathing suit or bra and underwear because they enjoy the look of tan lines.

Always wear protective eyewear during your tanning session. (See “Do I really have to wear the protective eyewear?”)

The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale is a classification system used to describe how different skin types respond to UV rays. 

Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale:

I. Very fair, pale white: Always burns, never tans - no/very little tanning ability (Common traits are red or blonde hair, blue/green eyes, freckles)

II. Fair, light skin: Burns easily, tans minimally - very little tanning ability (Common traits are light eyes and hair)

III. Light to medium skin: Burns sometimes, tans gradually - moderate tanning ability (Common traits are brown eyes, light brown or dark blonde hair)

IV. Olive or moderate brown: Rarely burns, tans easily - good tanning ability (Common traits are darker hair and eyes)

V. Brown or dark brown skin: Very rarely burns, tans very easily - intense tanning ability (Common traits are dark hair and eyes, Middle Eastern or Hispanic descent)

VI. Deeply pigmented dark brown to black skin: Never burns - deep, intense tanning ability (African, Afro-Caribbean descent)

Some medications (oral, topical, or intravenous) can affect the results of your tanning session, making it more difficult to tan or making you more prone to burning (photosensitivity). Common medications that increase UV sensitivity include antibiotics, acne medications, antidepressants, birth control pills, antihistamines, NSAIDs, diuretics, antifungals, and blood pressure medications. Be sure to check the label of your medications for warnings about "photosensitivity", "sun exposure", or "UV light" prior to tanning. Always consult your physician or pharmacist should you have any questions regarding prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements. 

You don’t need a tanning lotion to tan, however, using one makes a huge difference in both your results and your overall skin health.

Key Reasons to Use a Tanning Lotion:

• Accelerates the tanning process: Tanning lotions help stimulate melanin production so you can tan faster and more evenly
• Keep skin hydrated: Dry skin reflects UV light - A lotion helps you absorb UV more effectively
• Prolongs your tan: Hydrated skin holds a tan longer, while dry skin sheds more quickly
• Protects from signs of aging: Many tanning lotions contain anti-aging ingredients
• Restores vitamins and nutrients: Essential vitamins and nutrients are lost during the tanning process - lotions work to restore them back into the skin
• Protects from environmental stressors: Many tanning lotions contain antioxidants that neutralize free radicals generated by UV light, blue light, and pollution
• Enhances color: Some lotions contain bronzers that give instant and gradual color while your natural tan develops underneath
• Combat after-tan odor:  The interaction between UV light and bacteria on the skin create an after-tan odor (ATO) - most lotions contain deodorizers or odor-blocking ingredients to combat ATO

Tanning without a lotion is like washing your hair without shampoo, sure the water helps clean the hair but the shampoo is what really does the job. Just like shampoo, all tanning lotions are different and offer different benefits for everyone. Discuss your tanning goals and your skincare preferences with one of our trained Tanning Consultants to ensure you're paired with the perfect product for you. (See "What are the different lotion types and how do they work?")

Yes - you absolutely must wear protective eyewear during your entire tanning session, every single time.

Key Reasons to Wear Protective Eyewear:

• Closing your eyes isn’t enough: UV rays penetrate eyelids, and your thin eye skin offers no real defense against the concentrated UVA/UVB exposure in a tanning bed
• Sunglasses don’t offer enough protection: Sunglasses don’t seal properly so they don’t block any UV light at all from certain angles and they don’t block enough UVA and UVB rays to consider them a safe alternative
• Covering your face with a towel(s) offer very little protection: UV rays penetrate through fabric so even if your eyes are closed underneath the towel, UV rays pass through the towel and your eyelids reaching the retina and cornea
• Damage can be permanent: Without eyewear protection, UV light can cause photokeratitis (sunburned eyes), cataracts, macular degeneration, retinal damage, color vision changes, night vision loss, and in extreme cases - vision loss

It is crucial to use FDA-compliant tanning goggles which block 99%+ of UVA and UVB rays. We provide our customers with FDA-compliant protective eyewear that are sanitized after each use, using only hospital-grade disinfectant. We also offer several different types of protective eyewear for purchase.

There are a few ways to prevent and correct potential tan lines left behind by the protective eyewear. 

Ways to Prevent/Correct Eyewear Tan Lines:

• Shift eyewear slightly during your tanning session: Gently adjust the eyewear a millimeter or two halfway through your session to help blend the edges of the tan lines (but be careful not to expose your eyes)
• Use a specific type of eyewear: We offer "Wink-Ease" disposable eyewear which fold into an adjustable cone-shape (to properly fit the eye) with medical-grade adhesive (to keep them in place) - no straps or nose bridges to leave tan lines and still block UVA and UVB rays
• Use an immediate/gradual tanning product or sunless tanner: Apply the product to a makeup sponge and gently dab the sponge onto the lighter areas around the eyes POST-tanning session (never before or during a session) - follow the directions listed on the product to ensure proper application

To ensure the best possible tanning results you should prepare your skin, use the right products during and post-tanning sessions, and follow a smart routine.

Know Your Skin Type & Follow the Right Tanning Schedule

• Use the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale to understand how easily you burn or tan - one of our trained Tanning Consultants can assist you in determining your skin type
• Use the "Manufacturer's Recommended Exposure Schedule" (varies by bed type and skin type) - one of our trained Tanning Consultants can assist you in determining your recommended exposure time based on the manufacturer's exposure schedule
• Build a base tan slowly - approximately 2-3 sessions per week

Prep Your Skin Properly

• Use a gentle scrub or exfoliating mitt 24 hours before your tanning session to remove dead skin cells - this will ensure an even, healthier-looking tan (Note: Avoid harsh scrubs just before tanning as this may increase the risk of a burn)
• If necessary, shave or wax 24 hours before your tanning session to avoid irritation (Note: Waxing immediately before tanning may increase the risk of a burn)

Skip or Remove Makeup, Perfume, Oils, and Deodorant

• These products can block UV rays or react with UV rays and/or tanning lotions which may lead to irritation

Use a High-Quality Indoor Tanning Lotion

• Using a high-quality indoor tanning lotion will accelerate the tanning process and ensure a more even, healthier-looking tan (See "Are tanning lotions really that important?")
• NEVER use outdoor tanning oil/lotion or SPF products in the tanning bed - they block UV rays and damage the acrylic in the bed

Use Eye and Lip Protection

• Always wear FDA-compliant goggles (See "Do I have to wear protective eyewear?")
• Use lip balm with SPF to prevent burning or chapping (See “Do I need to do anything for my hair, nails, or lips?”)

Use Hair and Nail Protection

• Use a UV-protective leave-in conditioner or a UV-protective tanning cap to protect hair
• Apply a UV-protective topcoat or UV-protective nail covers to protect nails (See “Do I need to do anything for my hair, nails, or lips?”)

Hydrate Skin Before and After

• UV rays dehydrate skin - drink water and use a post-tan moisturizer or tan extender lotion daily

AVOID These Common Mistakes:

• Tanning too often or too long
• Skipping lotion or eye protection
• Using expired products or products purchased from an unknown distributor (See "Are tanning lotions really that important?")
• Showering immediately after tanning (especially if using a bronzer lotion - wait 2 to 4 hours) (See "What are the different types of lotions?")

MAINTAIN Your Tan:

• Moisturize twice a day - especially after showering
• Consider a tan extender over a traditional moisturizer (See “What are the different types of lotions?”)
• Avoid long, hot showers which dry out the skin
• Gently exfoliate skin weekly

Yes - It's smart to take care of your hair, nails, and lips to protect them from UV rays. These areas are often overlooked but are vulnerable to drying, discoloration, and premature aging.

HAIR PROTECTION:

Why You Should Protect Hair:

• Damage to hair structure: UV rays break down keratin, the protein that gives hair its strength
• Color fading: If hair is dyed or highlighted, UV rays can fade or alter color (especially blondes and reds); Natural hair can lose its luster or turn brassy with too much UV exposure
• Moisture loss: UV light strips natural oils from the scalp and hair leaving it dry, brittle, or frizzy 

How to Protect Hair: Use a UV-protective leave-in conditioner or UV-protective tanning cap

NAIL PROTECTION:

Why You Should Protect Nails:

• Dryness and weakening: Just like skin and hair, nails and cuticles can dry out, become brittle, or split after repeated UV exposure
• Yellowing: Acrylic nails, gel polish and even natural nails can yellow or discolor under UV exposure (white or light-colored manicures are especially vulnerable)
• Dull shine: UV light can dull nail shine and color

How to Protect Nails: Apply a clear UV-protective topcoat before tanning or wear UV-protective nail covers while tanning and apply cuticle oil or moisturizer to keep cuticles hydrated

LIP PROTECTION:

Why You Should Protect Lips: 

• Prone to sunburn: Lips don't produce melanin which means they absorb UV rays directly, making them more prone to sunburn
• Long-term damage: Because lips are more prone to sunburn, the risk of lip cancer is increased (especially with repeated overexposure)
• Dryness and cracking: Lips are sensitive so they are more likely to dry, crack, or peel
• Cold sore flare-ups: If you're prone to cold sores, UV exposure without lip protection can cause flare-ups

How to Protect Lips: Use a lip balm with SPF 15 or higher every day, especially before and after tanning; Try not to lick your lips as saliva intensifies UV exposure

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Indoor tanning provides a controlled environment with consistent exposure to UV rays, allowing for a more even and longer-lasting tan. It also allows for year-round tanning, regardless of weather conditions.

Wear loose fitting, dark-colored clothing. Tight clothing can rub and smear sunless solution. Solution will not stain clothing permanently but will temporarily color light-colored clothing. Remove all jewelry. Dark-colored undergarments or swimwear may be worn during session. Women can wear a thong, go topless, or nude. Men must wear shorts or briefs.

When used as recommended, Norvell’s professional and retail sunless tanning products are formulated to give a natural, "just off the beach" color, starting with their perfectly blended instant cosmetic bronzers which allow you to gently transition into your DHA tan over 24 hours after application. High pH levels in the skin can sometimes give individuals an undesirable, ‘fake’ non-natural looking sunless color. Sunless application on skin that is out of balance due to high pH levels sometimes results in what many people refer to as an ‘orange’ coloring. To prevent this from happening, there are a few things you can do:

• Do not use bar soaps before your sunless session. A properly pH balanced skin cleanser will not elevate pH levels on the skin, and result in more ‘golden brown’ sunless tanning results.
• It is recommended to spray the body with Pre-Sunless xLaTan pH Balancing Spray prior to any sunless application. This product is formulated to lower the pH levels of the skin giving a more golden brown color, and maximizing your sunless results.
• Do not over-apply sunless products. In general, the darker your natural skin tone, the higher concentration of DHA (sunless product) you can apply to the skin and still maintain ‘natural’ color. Generally, those will fair/light skin tones should apply less DHA (sunless product) to the skin to ensure natural looking results. Be sure to not only evaluate how much product you apply to the skin, but what the concentration level of DHA in each product is. Sunless products that are designed to give a darker color may not be desirable for fair skin. 

Electric Tan carries 6 different Norvell Sunless solutions to ensure that you are paired with the correct solution for your skin tone.   

Norvell professional sunless solutions and Norvell retail self-tanning products use advanced DHA odor encapsulation, the newest technology in odor inhibitors, to ‘trap’ odor causing molecules commonly associated with DHA products and virtually eliminate sunless odor.