How to get the perfect tan in winter
Written by Lauren Connors, The Xaverian Weekly (St. Francis Xavier University)
Wednesday, 14 November 2007

The tanning industry in Canada is not regulated, so you need to choose your tanning salon very carefully. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
ANTIGONISH, N.S. (CUP) – Are you planning on doing a bit of tanning before that trip down south in February? Be careful when you first start using those tanning beds.
The tanning industry in Canada is not regulated. Owners of tanning salons do not have to tell you how long you should be in the bed, and many will put you in for the maximum time allowed.
If this is your first time or first few times tanning, you will burn.
Burning slows down your tanning progress. It also causes the most damage to your skin and will increase your chances of getting skin cancer. So, here are some tips that will help you get a great tan, without getting burned.
1. Never start at the full time allowed. If you burn easily on a normal summer day (typically those people with red hair or light skin), start with six to eight minutes. If you tan easily or do not burn easily, start with eight to ten minutes. Unfortunately, most tanning salons don’t let you pay by the minute. If you are concerned for your health, pay the fee and ask to be put in the bed for the amount of time recommended above.
If you don’t burn after your initial tan at the starting time recommended above, then increase your next tanning time by two minutes. Keep this pattern going until you build your way up to the maximum time allowed. This may take at least two weeks.
2. Make sure you know how the bed works. If they don’t tell you, ask. Some beds are automatically set for the maximum time limit, and it is up to you to reduce that. Remember, burning slows down the tanning process.
Some beds are hotter than others. They may have a maximum time that is below the standard beds. Start at a low time for these (three to four minutes) or else you will burn.
3. Only tan once every two days. The full effects of your tan are not realized for about 48 hours, which means you will not know if you have burned until at least the next day.
4. Do not expect to tan in only one trip to the salon, or even in a week of trips. Do not be disappointed when you don’t get results after two or three trips.
5. Wear the goggles provided. Just closing your eyes or putting a towel on your face will not do the trick. If you have your eyes closed and can see yourself moving your hand in front of your face, then your eyes are not protected. Those goggles are designed to protect you, so use them.
6. Use skin cream. The creams sold at the salons are not necessary, but your skin needs moisture and oxygen to tan. Normal skin cream will work fine. The ones at the salons tend to have an accelerator or bronzer in them.
7. If you feel yourself burning, get out of the bed. When your skin is tingling, then it is probably burning. It would be best to stop tanning for the session at that point and reduce your tanning time during your next trip to the salon.
8. If you do burn, do not tan for at least a week. This will give your skin a chance to heal.
Tanning can be a relaxing experience. Don’t ruin it by burning. Protect yourself and happ
source:
http://excal.on.ca/cms2/content/category/1/115/2/