What is a safe alternative to a sunbed?

Author: Marilou Gutmann  |  Last update: Friday, September 5, 2025

Opt for sunless self-tanners or spray tans. These are available in many forms, including lotions, sprays, and creams. The Skin Cancer Foundation advocates that no tan is a safe tan, and that regardless of whether women decide to go with their own glow or use sunless tanning methods, they avoid UV tanning.

What can I do instead of tanning?

Self-Tanning Lotions and Sprays

If you want to get your tan on while saving time and money, self-tanning formulas are a great place to start. Utilizing “dihydroxyacetone,” self-tanners trigger a chemical reaction in the top layer of your skin to quickly produce a temporary bronzed look.

What is the alternative to a tanning booth?

Applying a spray is fairly easy and allows you to control the level of color that you want to have. There are many options to choose from as well. Spray Tan Booths: Spray or airbrush tanning booths can help you get the tanned appearance that you are looking for without exposing you to harmful UV radiation.

Is there a healthier tanning bed?

Science tells us that there's no such thing as a safe tanning bed, tanning booth, or sun lamp. 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%.

How to get a tan without sunbeds?

Spray tans from a clinic or even home tanning products can give you a super looking glow without the risks. “There are even some face creams and moisturisers with fake tan in for daily natural looking face glow. Home options are, of course, much more affordable than salon options.

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

What is a safe alternative to sunbeds?

Opt for sunless self-tanners or spray tans. These are available in many forms, including lotions, sprays, and creams. The Skin Cancer Foundation advocates that no tan is a safe tan, and that regardless of whether women decide to go with their own glow or use sunless tanning methods, they avoid UV tanning.

What is 10 minutes in the tanning bed equal to?

These fluorescent lamps range anywhere from 100-watt bulbs to 140-watt bulbs. Because of their power – and the fact that they simulate UVA rays vs. UVB rays – they can actually penetrate the skin on a deeper level than the sun. This is why ten minutes in a tanning bed equates to about two hours of direct sun exposure.

What is the healthiest form of tanning?

According to Dr. Peter Katz, board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology, “there is no such thing as a healthy or safe tan. Tanned skin is a result of damage to the skin cells, your skin producing pigment in response to UV damage in an attempt to protect itself.

How fast does tanning age your skin?

Indoor tanning speeds up skin aging

Indoor tanning is known to cause wrinkles, brown spots and thick leathery skin. Indoor tanning ages your skin 3 times faster than sunlight: indoor tanning can emit up to 15 times more UV radiation than sunlight.

Do tanning gummies work?

⭐️ Typically they contain Beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A that gives yellow, orange, and red fruits & veggies their pigment. ⭐️ While they promise to give you a “natural tan,” in reality they simply stain your skin orange. You could get the same effect by eating carrots or drinking carrot juice.

Can I use a sock as a tanning mitt?

Socks. If you don't have any rubber gloves handy, you can also use a sock for self-tanner application. Go with a thicker sock that doesn't have a match and use it to give your skin a healthy tan glow. Slipper socks may be a great option for a self-tanner applicator because of their thickness.

What can I use instead of sunbed cream?

There are a few things you can use in place of tanning lotion, including body butters, and aloe vera gel.

What is the most natural way to tan?

Therefore, to ensure a natural and long-lasting tan, it is recommended that you stay in the sun for a maximum of 2-3 hours in a day, or even less in the case of very fair-skinned people. Be sure to use sunscreen, and to sunbathe when UV radiation is not as strong, which is before 10 am and after 4 pm.

What is the alternative to the solarium?

A collarium or collagen bed is similar to a solarium. It may also be promoted as red light therapy. Instead of the typical blue lights of a solarium, a collarium uses lamps emitting “red light” wavelengths (pink and red light) in addition to UVA and UVB radiation.

How to tan without damaging your skin?

How to protect your skin from the sun
  1. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher if you plan to be outside longer than 20 minutes. ...
  2. Protect yourself from sun damage between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is the strongest. ...
  3. Cover up with a wide-brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses and long sleeves and pants. ...
  4. Don't burn.

Is there a safe way to use sunbeds?

There is NO safe way to use a sunbed ! The WHO has classified sunbeds as a group 1 carcinogen—this means they are proven to cause cancer1. They are not suitable as a source of vitamin D. Any vitamin D you might get through using a sunbed is outweighed by the harms of using sunbeds.

Can you reverse aging from tanning?

Photodamage can't be completely reversed but some treatment options can help rejuvenate your skin. Talk to your provider about the risks of complications. Possible treatments include: Retinoids, retinols: These topical products provide their best benefit when treating early signs of photoaging.

What is the best self tanner?

After extensive testing, we determined the highest rated self-tanner to be the St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Mousse. It's an airy mousse that's easy to apply and blend and leaves you with a natural-looking glow. You can also customize the depth of color based on how long you leave it on your skin.

What is a safe alternative to tanning?

Try: FDA-approved sunless tanning lotions and creams

If you're looking to get a summer glow, try sunless tanning lotions and creams that contain ingredients approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "These options are safe and harmless," says Dr. Benabio.

What tan do the Kardashians use?

Ardell Body Drench Quick Tan Instant Self-Tanner

Kim Kardashian flashed her own bottle of Body Drench when showing off her travel makeup bag — and she definitely knows a good sunless tan! If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course.

What vitamin makes you tan easier?

Fruit and veg that's high in beta carotene, which can help you tan, but without burning. Beta-carotene is widely recognised as being an excellent antioxidant that fights free radicals and reduces skin damage and oxidative stress on the skin, helping limit the harmful effects of UV light.

Can you just close your eyes in a tanning bed?

Keeping Your Eyes Closed Isn't Enough

Even shutting your eyes tightly in a tanning bed isn't enough protection against UV rays of that strength.

Will 6 minutes on a sunbed do anything?

For instance, individuals with fair to medium skin tones may achieve satisfactory results in approximately 6 minutes on a sunbed. However, it's crucial to adjust the duration based on skin sensitivity and tanning goals.

Are there benefits to sunbeds?

It's crucial to recognise that the health benefits associated with exposure to natural sunlight, such as heightened Vitamin D production, diminished inflammation, improved skin conditions, reduced blood pressure, and enhanced heart health, can be effectively replicated through sunbed use.

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