For new tanners, hitting the sun bed for the first time can be rather intimidating. But fret not: the experts at Sun Tan City are here to make your pre-tan prep as simple as possible.

So once you finally step into your private room at Sun Tan City, what can you do to make sure you get the best results? Here are four easy steps to a perfect (and protected) sun tan.

First, decide on your tanning attire (or lack thereof). Many of our clients opt to tan in the nude to avoid those not-so-fabulous tan lines. Others, however, feel more comfortable wearing their underwear or a swimsuit in the sun bed. And taking the time to tan is all about comfort and relaxation!

If you do decide to tan nude, remember that some areas of your body aren’t as accustomed to sunlight, making you more susceptible to overexposure in those sensitive areas. You may decide to cover these areas for part of your tanning session to avoid the any sensitivity. Over time, though, these areas, like others on your body, will build up tolerance for tanning, and covering up may no longer be necessary. Whatever you choose, make sure that you take the steps to make your visit and beyond as comfortable as possible.

After deciding how you will tan, you’ll apply tanning lotion. There are many lotion options available to you, and what you should use is unique to your own skin and tanning goals. At Sun Tan City, our Tanning Consultants are happy to help you find the best lotion for your session. After removing your clothes, apply your lotion evenly on your skin. Even coverage will not only help you tan evenly, but will ensure that you get the maximum results from your session. Bonus tip: To keep your skin hydrated, moisturized and to keep your tan longer, follow your session with one of our amazing Tan Extenders!!

Grabbing goggles is not only the best way to protect your eyes while tanning, but wearing proper protective eyewear while tanning is a state and federal law. Why? Even if you close your eyes in the bed, your eyelids are too thin to block UV rays entirely during your session, which could cause long-term vision changes or damage. Even covering your eyes with a towel will not provide enough protection; as UV light penetrates the fabric Before you step into one of our sun beds, be sure to purchase protective eyewear at our front desk.

Now that you’re all ready to tan, the last step is easy: Just relax! In all of our tanning beds, there’s no need to flip. But if you do want to make sure to eliminate uneven color under the arms or the well-known backside “half-moons”, feel free to lift your arms over your head or sit up on the edge of the bed for the last few minutes of your session.

When you’re at Sun Tan City, we want to make tanning easy. And with our four easy steps to each tanning session, you’ll not only get a great, even tan, but you’ll be tanning with the knowledge you’ll need to get the best results possible. If you have more questions on your tanning session, feel free to ask a Tanning Consultant at your favorite Sun Tan City. Happy Tanning!