Q&A for How to Get a Good Indoor Tan

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Question

Can you indoor tan with self-tanner on?

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH
Board Certified Dermatologist
Dr. R. Sonia Batra is a board certified Dermatologist and the Founder of Batra Dermatology based in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Batra specializes in lasers, medical devices, patient and public medical education, and skin cancer research. She received her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree in Public Health, and her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degrees from Harvard University. As a Rhodes Scholar, she earned a Master’s degree in Molecular Genetics at the University of Oxford. She completed her residency training in Dermatology at Stanford University. Dr. Batra has contributed and reviewed for the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery, the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, and JAMA Dermatology. She is also a co-host of CBS’ Emmy award-winning television show, The Doctors.

R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH

Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Yes! Not only that, but it's always safer to use a self tanner than to go outside and to tan or to use a tanning bed.

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Question

Should you wear your bra when you are tanning?

Community Answer

You can, though most people tan in the nude. It really just depends on whether or not you want those tan lines.

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Question

If I'm tanning for the first time with light skin, how many minutes should I go for?

Community Answer

Start by going for 5 minutes or less, every few days. Then, after the first week or so, go up a few minutes. Gradually increase the amount of time each time you go after that.

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Question

Is a month-and-a-half long enough to get darker with indoor tanning?

Community Answer

Absolutely. Go as frequently as you can, and use a good indoor tanning lotion recommended by the tanning facility.

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Question

How do I get a good indoor tan when I'm pale skinned?

Community Answer

Build it up. Start with 6 mins for a week (if you don't burn), then 9 mins for a week, etc.

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Question

Will stress relief oil affect my tanning?

Community Answer

Don't use any oils in the tanning bed because you can damage the lamps. The only thing you should use is a lotion specially made for the tanning beds. I suggest Maui Babe tanning bed lotion and if you want to tan out in the natural sun, they also have a tanning lotion for that. Maui Babe is amazing!

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Question

I have fair skin and red hair. Whenever I try to tan, I get a sunburn that fades back to pale. Will a tanning bed help me?

Community Answer

No. Unfortunately, some skin does not produce the amount of melanin it needs in order to tan. If you do not tan outdoors, you are unlikely to tan in a tanning bed.

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Question

How do I prevent white circles under my eyes from the tanning goggles without taking the goggles off?

Community Answer

There is no way to prevent this. Tanning goggles should not cause circles if you are using small goggles.

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Question

I'm peeling in one spot. It's not burned, or red, just peeling. What do I do to stop the peeling?

Community Answer

The best way to stop peeling is to exfoliate. After exfoliation of the area, always apply a heavy moisturizer to prevent further peeling.

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Question

How long should I tan my first couple of weeks if I'm pale but tan easily?

Community Answer

The workers at the tanning salon should be able to help you with that but no more than ten minutes would be appropriate for your first week. If you start to feel uncomfortable or as if you are burning, then get out of the bed and the next time you tan, go for less time. After your first week go for 13 to 15 minutes, depending on how you are feeling.

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Question

How do I not itch when I am tanning?

Community Answer

Make sure you apply lotion to any area that may have dry skin.

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Question

How long does it take to get a good indoor tan with medium skin? I have some good tingle lotion with bronzer and I've used it for 4 days with little difference.

Community Answer

Although the time frame is different for everyone, building a good base tan will take an average of 2 weeks.

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Question

Is it possible to tan my legs with olive oil inside?

Community Answer

No. Oil can damage the UV lamps.

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Question

Can I take melanin pills to help with the tanning process?

Community Answer

You can, but they aren't guaranteed to have any effect on your tan.

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Question

Can I shower before I go tanning?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. If you are planning on showering after tanning, wait at least three hours.

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Question

What is the best recommended indoor tanning lotion?

Community Answer

You'll get different answers depending on who you ask, so I would recommend going on a site like Amazon and looking up the highest rated tanning lotions to pick one.

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Question

I've been tanning for about a month now for 15 minutes every other day. I don't see much difference, how do I make it so I can get a nice, dark tan?

Community Answer

What's your skin type? That's odd that you have been going so frequently with little results. I would talk to the shop you go to.

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Question

How long should I tan for if I am very pale and I'm doing it for the first time?

Community Answer

Start with 6 minutes and then gradually go up each session by a couple of minutes.

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Question

How can I tan in the winter without a tanning bed if I have pale skin?

Community Answer

You can't naturally tan your skin without UV exposure. You either need sunlight or UVs from a tanning bed. Otherwise, you could spray tan which just coats the surface of your skin with pigment essentially, but will wash off.

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