How do I prepare my face for a tanning bed?

Author: Olin Hermiston  |  Last update: Thursday, October 9, 2025

What to Do Before Tanning Bed Appointments
  1. Check with Your Doctor About Safety. ...
  2. Exfoliate Your Skin the Day Before You Tan. ...
  3. Moisturize Post-Exfoliation. ...
  4. Remove Makeup and Jewelry. ...
  5. Protect Your Lips. ...
  6. Determine Your Preferred Level of Disrobing. ...
  7. Apply Tanning Lotion. ...
  8. Protect Your Eyes.

What should I put on my face before the tanning bed?

With a tanning bed, use a moisturizer the night before and after your session. There are specific moisturizers that can be used during the tanning bed session. Overall, having clean and moisturized skin will help the tan apply more evenly and will help the tan last longer.

What not to do before tanning bed?

Prepare your skin.
  1. Before you get in the tanning bed, it's important to shower, shave, and exfoliate. ...
  2. You'll want to remove all your jewelry, like rings, necklaces, and bracelets, to ensure you don't get any tan lines. ...
  3. In addition to makeup and jewelry, steer clear of using essential oils and perfume.

How to get face to tan in tanning bed?

What are the best ways to tan my face in a sunbed? Go on a sunbed with bar. More UVB and UVA touches your skin. Get your face and stand like this. Nose should touch the balls. Remember to move your head to the bottom. Use the built-in headrest. Lay at the end of the sunbed.

How do I prepare my face for tanning?

In the same way that you'd prepare your body for tan application 24 hours in advance, you should prepare your face too. A day before tanning, exfoliate with a gentle, oil-free face scrub to smooth away rough, dry patches. Focus on areas that are prone to dryness, like the cheeks and around the nose.

Are Tanning Beds Safe? | How to Tan Safely | with Dr. Sandra Lee

What can I use to protect my face in a tanning bed?

Check each product page for other buying options.
  1. Jiuguva 4 Pieces UV Protection Tanning Face Cover Face Tanning Mask Hair Cap Protective Hair Bonnet for Women Salon, 5.91 x 4.33 Inches(Blue, Pink) ...
  2. Face UV Face Covering UPF 50+ Women Sun Protection Face Mask Washable Reusable for Running Outdoors.

Should you wash your face before sunbed?

If you wear makeup, make sure to remove it completely before your sunbed session. Makeup residue can block UV rays from reaching your skin evenly, resulting in an uneven tan. Use a gentle makeup remover followed by a thorough cleanse with a mild facial cleanser.

Why is my face not tanning in a tanning bed all?

One of the biggest factors that affects tanning is your skin type. Not all skin reacts to UV the same way, and understanding your skin type is key to setting realistic tanning goals. For example, if you are a red head and have very light skin, you'll more likely struggle to tan due to low melanin.

How to maximize tanning bed results?

How To Tan Quicker On Sunbeds
  1. Prepare Your Skin. Exfoliate Before Your Session. ...
  2. Adjust Your Tanning Time. Start with a Shorter Session. ...
  3. Use The Sunbed Correctly. Rotate Your Position. ...
  4. Maintain A Healthy Diet. Get The Right Nutrients. ...
  5. Avoid Things With Negative Effects. Remove Makeup and Cosmetics.

How to avoid bunny tail in tanning bed?

☀️Tanning Tip Tuesday☀️ How to avoid the “bunny tail” or white spots on lower back or under your arms or sides: ✅ when using a lay down bed always reposition your body every few minutes to achieve an even tan. Switch from side to side and rest your arms behind your head .

What is the golden rule of tanning?

The professional indoor tanning industry promotes and teaches what we refer to as The Golden Rule of Smart Tanning: Don't ever sunburn. The indoor tanning industry has been more effective at teaching sunburn prevention than those who promote complete sun avoidance.

How to prep skin for sunbed?

During the shower, make sure to exfoliate in order to remove dead skin cells so that the clean skin underneath is ready for the UV. This promotes a more even tan. Finally, it's wise to apply a non-oil moisturiser to your skin after bathing to ensure that your skin is not too dry during the tanning session.

What happens if you don't exfoliate before tanning bed?

A full-body exfoliation within 24 hours of your tanning bed session helps to clear your pores, which will result in a more even and long-lasting tan. However, if you run out of time to perform a full exfoliation, giving your body a good scrub with a loofah or similar bath brush should do the trick.

Why is the face harder to tan?

The skin on your face is far more sensitive than the skin on your body and so it makes sense that it would need an entirely different formula. Facial skin doesn't tan in the same way as the body – it tends to go a little bit darker because of its higher pH.

Can you moisturise your face before a sunbed?

TIP #1 - PREP YOUR SKIN

Exfoliating helps prepare your skin before you tan and remove any dead skin cells. Take time to exfoliate so that your skin will be more than ready to get exposed to the rays in a tanning bed. Apply a moisturiser after you shower to ensure your skin is not dry prior to your sunbed session.

What not to do after tanning bed?

Avoid using harsh or fragranced products immediately after tanning, as they may further irritate the skin.

How to protect your face in a tanning bed?

Always wear FDA-approved protective goggles when using a tanning bed. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient as they do not provide the necessary protection against intense UV rays emitted by tanning beds.

Is 6 minutes in a tanning bed enough?

Recommended Frequency of Tanning Bed Use

Each session should be brief, around 3-10 minutes, depending on your skin type. After the initial week, if your skin is responding well (no burns or excessive redness), you can gradually increase your sessions to three to four times per week.

Are you supposed to flip in a tanning bed?

No, you don't need to flip over in a tanning bed. In fact, many people tan stomach-down because it's more comfortable that way. However, if you want an evenly distributed tan, then you should flip over halfway through your session so that both sides of your body get equal exposure to the UV rays.

How to tan face quicker on sunbed?

Summary. In summary, the best ways to get a faster tan using sunbeds are to start with a base tan, use a high-pressure sunbed, consider using a tanning accelerator, follow the recommended exposure time, stay hydrated, and use moisturizer. By following these tips and taking precautions to protect your skin.

Why are my legs not tanning in the tanning bed?

Compared to the rest of the body, skin on the legs does not produce the same amount of melanin, which results in legs getting less tan. Skin on the legs is thicker and harder and the UV light from the sun or sunbeds cannot easily penetrate it.

Can I put a towel over my face in the tanning bed?

Myth #4: The skin on your face tans the same as the skin on your body. The skin around your face is thinner and more sensitive, and needs more care compared to the rest of your body. Placing a towel over your face will not block out all of the tanning rays.

What foods make you more tanned?

Papaya: Like carrots, orange fruits and vegetables, such as papaya, help to enhance your tan naturally thanks to its high beta-carotene levels. Melon: This refreshing fruit, rich in antioxidants and beta-carotenes will help you to keep your golden skin tone.

Do sunbeds age your skin?

Sunbeds give off UV rays that can be to fifteen times stronger than the midday Mediterranean sun. What sunbeds can do is cause your skin to sag and wrinkle.

How do I prepare my skin for a tanning bed?

Preparing for your tanning bed
  1. Shower, exfoliate, and shave before your session. Use our Exfoliating Mitt for smooth, soft skin.
  2. Follow with an oil-free moisturizer, like our Moisturizing Body Lotion right after showering to lock in moisture.
  3. Come to your session with a fresh face and no makeup.

Previous article
What to use after salicylic acid cleanser?
Next article
How much should I tip on a $35 haircut?