Everyone who enjoys tanning enjoys it for different reasons. You might like the way sun tanning gives you a short period of total relaxation, free from your hectic daily routine. Maybe you enjoy spa tanning for the beautiful, healthy bronze results all year round. Or maybe you just like to treat yourself to a bit of indulgence on your terms. No matter what your reasons for enjoying sun tanning, it's all about you. And at Sun Tan City, our mission is to provide you with your ideal tanning experience-whether it's relaxation, beauty, or indulgence you're looking for.

If you're new to tanning, new to Sun Tan City, or an experienced tanner with a couple of questions, we're here to help. We pride ourselves on being experts in the sun tanning industry, and we want to share our experience with you to help you make the most of your tanning experience. The goal of this FAQ is to have all your questions answered as thoroughly as possible, so you can relax and enjoy your experience with us. You'll find everything from the very basics to in-depth discussions of just how-and why-tanning works.

Take a look and remember if there are any concerns you would like explained further, contact us, or ask one of our expertly trained retail staff. They would be delighted to help.

Is sun tanning safe?

Tanning is a natural function of the human body. Outdoors, your skin is exposed to a blend of ultraviolet light (UV) that causes the ignition of the cells that produce pigment. These cells release pigment chemicals that rise to the surface, triggering an effect that is intended to protect the skin from the loss of moisture and nutrients that comes from prolonged exposure. This effect is what we know as sun tanning.

When trying to tan outdoors, however, you have little control over the types of UV that your skin is exposed to. Time of day, geographic location, season, weather, and depth of the ozone layer all factor into what rays do and do not ultimately become absorbed by your skin. This is precisely why some people tan outdoors, and some don't-and why sometimes you get a great tan, and at other times, the result is a painful reddening effect.

When you redden, your skin dries out, and takes damage as a result. The over-exposure to UV light leaves you with the unsightly, painful, and slow healing effects of sunburn. Additionally, the top layer of skin will usually peel off. It's just better to avoid overexposure to UV light at any cost. Unfortunately, besides wearing sunscreen and limiting sun exposure, there's no way for you to control the amount of UV light your skin absorbs outdoors.

With indoor sun tanning at a Sun Tan City tanning salon, however, both the amount of UV and the type of UV your skin is exposed to is strictly controlled. We call it "Smart Tanning" and the golden rule is to get a great tan every time-and to never, ever burn.

Neither tanning outdoors nor tanning indoors is completely safe. However, controlled and responsible exposure, preventative and nourishing skin care products, state-of-the art tanning equipment, and expert staff education makes indoor sun tanning at Sun Tan City the most control over your body's natural tanning process you can get.

For additional research-supported information on the risks and benefits of indoor tanning, please visit our tanning resources page.

What are UV rays?

UV rays, or ultraviolet rays, are waves of radiation that are invisible to the human eye. They exist naturally, and come in contact with us on a daily basis, primarily through sun exposure. Other sources of UV radiation include some types of lasers and various commercial light bulbs, like halogen lamps and incandescent lighting. But by far the most well-known commercial source of UV rays is indoor sun tanning beds.

Ultraviolet light is made up of three unique wavelengths of light: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA and UVB rays are used in indoor tanning in varying degrees depending on the style of bed and the depth or color you're looking to achieve. UVC rays are not used during indoor tanning because they are not part of the natural outdoor sun tanning process, which indoor tanning emulates to the closest controllable degree. UVC rays are filtered out of the sun's rays by the atmosphere before they reach your skin.

You may have heard that UV rays have beneficial uses as treatments for certain diseases in a process called phototherapy. While this is true, cosmetic indoor tanning beds such as the beds at Sun Tan City should not be used for any medical purposes. Therapeutic UV rays should only be administered by a trained healthcare professional as part of a treatment program.

UVA vs. UVB Rays

UVA rays are considered "gentle sun tanning" rays. They are the rays closest to visible light, stimulating an immediate tanning response. UVA rays have the longest wavelengths of all ultraviolet rays and can penetrate deep into the dermis layer of your skin.

UVB rays have shorter wavelengths, and are much more intense than UVA rays. In nature, the atmosphere filters out some UVB rays, but some do reach your skin. UVB rays that come in contact with your skin do not penetrate past the epidermis, or the top layer of skin. Because they are shorter and more intense, UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn. But it is UVB rays that utilize most of the melanin in the skin, creating the color we know as a tan. We refer to UVB rays as "reddening rays."

UVA and UVB rays will be used in different degrees depending on the depth, color, and duration of the sun tan you're looking for. But no matter what type of tan is your goal, Sun Tan City always optimizes UVA and UVB levels to maximize tanning and minimize reddening.

Why am I always asked if I have goggles before a sun tanning session?

Wearing your goggles is a must every time you sun tan, whether you choose to purchase goggles for multiple uses or take advantage of the temporary goggles we offer at every location. It's not only a good idea, but it's also the law. State and federal regulations require that every time you tan, you must wear eyewear that protects against 99% of UVA rays and 99.9% of UVB rays.

Your eyelids, regular sunglasses, towels, or other non-regulation compliant items will not filter out UV rays. It takes a specially formulated lens to protect your delicate eye tissue from UV exposure. Too much exposure can cause permanent damage to your vision, including cornea burns or degeneration, loss of color vision, loss of vision at night, or even cataracts.

We care about your safety, which is why we make absolutely certain that you have federally compliant eyewear each time you choose us for your sun tanning experience.

Can anyone tan at Sun Tan City?

At Sun Tan City, our goal is to give you the best experience possible and the best tan you have ever had. However, everyone's body is different, and while a great majority of people can take full advantage of our state-of-the-art tanning options, they may not be the best choice for everyone. Our beds reproduce exposure to the sun to a very realistic degree, something that should be considered if you have any conditions that could be agitated by sun exposure.

The FDA recommends that you consider the following before enjoying UV sun tanning:

• Prone to Reddening. Indoor tanning beds and lamps mimic the sun's rays. If your skin reacts to sun exposure by reddening instead of tanning, it will not do differently in a tanning bed. Consider sunless tanning if you're prone to reddening, or talk to a Tanning Consultant for the best "Smart Tanning" techniques.
• Medical History. If you have a family history of melanoma or are frequently afflicted with cold sores, you should avoid UV tanning.
• Current Medications. If you are currently on a medication that causes your skin to be more sensitive to sun exposure, you should be careful when choosing a tanning option. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure how UV exposure will affect you.

Even if UV tanning isn't the right choice for you, you can still get a great sun tan in the same relaxing environment with our sunless tanning options. We welcome you to experience the instant golden results of our VersaSpa®.

Is there a minimum tanning age?

Sun Tan City welcomes anyone 18 and older to come in to experience our quality UV sun tanning at any time. However, we do employ strict age guidelines for those under the age of 18.

If you're between the ages of 14 and 18 and would like to enjoy our UV tanning options, you're welcome to do so provided that your parent or legal guardian co-signs for your Sun Tan City membership and provides his or her informed consent for you to use our sun tanning equipment and other services by signing our parental consent form.

If you're under 16, you're welcome to tan anytime as long as your parent or guardian signs the parental consent form and is present for every visit. We ask that your parent or guardian stay at the facility for the duration of your tanning session.

Unfortunately, no one under 14 may use UV tanning beds or lamps at this time.

However, anyone can use our VersaSpa® sunless tanning option, and we fully encourage it! Ask a Sun Tan City expert about VersaSpa® if you're interested in the same relaxing experience and the same beautiful bronze results without any UV exposure.

How do I know the tanning bed is clean?

Our goal is to make sure you have complete peace of mind while you're enjoying time in a Sun Tan City tanning bed or VersaSpa®. That's why we take sanitation of our facilities and equipment very seriously. You will never be left wondering about cleanliness when you choose Sun Tan City for your tanning experience.

After each guest completes his or her tanning session, our employees set to work preparing the room and the sun tanning bed or booth itself for its next use. All tanning equipment, both UV and VersaSpa®, are sanitized using Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved products.

But we don't stop there. Any and all additional furniture that could come in contact with one of our guests during their tanning session is properly cleaned prior to use. This includes pillows, cushions, tabletops, handles, and acrylic surfaces.

Finally, once a Sun Tan City employee has properly sanitized all applicable equipment, the cleaning is recorded in our computer system and marked as complete. We will always have a record of the room and tanning booth or VersaSpa® being sanitized prior to your visit. So, lie back, relax, and enjoy your tanning experience in a well-cleaned and maintained environment.

When is the best time to tan?

At Sun Tan City, you can get a great tan absolutely any time of year! Year-round access is one of the major benefits of indoor UV sun tanning and sunless tanning. Unlike tanning outside, indoor tanning in a tanning bed or booth is completely controlled and regulated, meaning a deep, even bronze all year long.

In regards to the best time of day to tan, outdoor tanning exposes your skin to different amounts of UVA and UVB rays during different times of the day. Weather conditions and the thickness of the ozone layer are always changing throughout the day, making your outdoor UV exposure unreliable. Therefore, you may tan very well between the hours of 1pm and 2pm one day, but sit outside for four hours on another day and not get an ounce of color. With indoor tanning, you can tan whatever time of day you like and your UV exposure will be equal and consistent each time you tan.

In addition to control, Sun Tan City is open all year round, meaning during the winter when it's impossible to suntan outside, you can still have your time in the sun. Visit any one of our convenient locations any time of year to build or maintain your perfect bronze, and Let Yourself Shine®!

Do I have to make an appointment at Sun Tan City?

No appointment is necessary at Sun Tan City! In order to continue to offer tanning sessions at Sun Tan City on your schedule, tanning visits are first-come, first-serve. We want your Sun Tan City experience to be completely about you and that includes sun tanning wherever you want. You won't ever have to worry about scheduling, re-scheduling, calling ahead, or cancelling an appointment with us. Tan on your terms!

Please be aware, however, that first-come first-serve tanning may sometimes mean a short wait. But rest assured, our salon staff is ready to quickly clean and prepare the next available room for your tanning session. Sit back, relax, and we'll have your room ready as soon as possible!

Should you ever have to wait while visiting your closest convenient Sun Tan City, feel free to learn more about our additional products and membership options while the next available room is being prepared. Sun Tan City offers an exclusive line of some of the finest tanning lotions available, specially formulated to suit your stage of tanning. Ask a member of our team to explain to you the benefits of using lotions specific to your tanning stage the next time you visit.

What should I bring if I want to start tanning?

If you're new to tanning, or new to Sun Tan City, there are a couple of things you'll want to bring when you come into one of our salons.

If you've never tanned with Sun Tan City, please be sure to bring a valid photo ID, and a credit/debit card or voided check if you are interested in signing up for a Club Sun membership. Club Sun provides a convenient and affordable packaged membership to our tanning service so you can tan wherever you want.

If you're under the age of 18, you'll need a photo ID as well as your legal parent or guardian. Your parent or guardian can purchase a Club Sun membership for you, and must still present a valid credit/debit card or voided check. He or she will need to sign our Club Sun agreement form. If you're under 16, your parent or guardian must remain present for the entirety of your visit.

If you're new to tanning, you may choose to bring swimwear to change into. You may not bring outdoor tanning lotion or lotion not approved for indoor tanning use. Ask one of our expertly trained tanning consultants to guide you through our products and explain how they can help your tanning experience. Sun Tan City carries full lines of lip balms and lotions specifically formulated to help you get the best sun tan possible, so you may want to anticipate a lotion purchase in order to get the best results.

We look forward to meeting you!

What should I wear to my tanning visits?

Everyone enjoys sun tanning in different ways. Depending on the type of tanning coverage you prefer, you will want to carefully consider what to wear while you're in one of our tanning beds, booths, or in the VersaSpa® sunless tanning system. Your room at Sun Tan City is entirely private, and employees will not interrupt you during your tanning session. You are free to wear whatever you like to make the most of your tanning experience.

Many of those who enjoy private indoor tanning do so in the nude. Nude tanning provides the most even coverage, as well as a sense of total-body relaxation you just can't get anywhere else. However, because tender areas of your body are exposed during your sessions that are not accustomed to being exposed to sunlight, you will want to introduce your body to nude UV exposure at a relaxed pace.

For those with concerns about sanitation or modesty, you are also welcome to tan wearing swimwear of any coverage level, or any other tan-through fabric item of clothing. The choice is yours! If you need help deciding, feel free to ask any of our expertly trained tanning staff.

How do I tan?

Sun tanning is an easy, natural process that anyone can enjoy. But the secret to great tanning lies in proper skin preparation and proper aftercare. That's because tanning doesn't stop after you've stepped out of the tanning bed. In fact, tanning is a continual process that you'll become aware of many hours after your visit! It's important to lay the proper foundation for your skin to begin to tan, expose your skin at an appropriate pace for your skin to tan naturally, and then nourish your skin to keep it healthy while it develops beautiful bronze tones.

Once you've decided what to wear during your sun tanning session, you're ready to head to your nearest convenient Sun Tan City location, where our friendly and expertly trained tanning consultants are ready to assist you with all of your tanning needs.

Be sure to talk with your tanning consultant about these important before-tanning steps:

• UV Protective Goggles. State and federal regulations require that every time you tan, you must wear eyewear that protects against 99% of UVA rays and 99.9% of UVB rays. We offer temporary and multi-use goggles at every Sun Tan City location.
• Tan Times. Your tanning consultant will be able to gauge your skin type and recommend a length of tanning session that will be the best choice for you. Tanning for too long can lead to overexposure and reddening. Let one of our experts tell you how long will be just right!
• Lotions. Using a specialized lotion during your tanning session will help you tan faster and keep your tan longer. Your tanning consultant can help you find the best lotion for your skin!

When you're ready to tan, your tanning consultant will take you to your room and show you how to work the equipment. Once you're ready, simply push the start button and relax, or if you prefer, the bed will automatically begin after five minutes. Lower the lid and you are ready to go! Don't forget your goggles!

What can I expect after tanning?

After sun tanning, our hope is that you feel warm and relaxed and that you continue to feel your best throughout the rest of your day. However, you may not see results immediately following your tanning session. You may feel the healthy glow of your skin at work, but your bronze color may not be visible for several hours.

This delay is caused by the process tanning begins in your skin. The tanning process may continue for up to 24 hours! Depending on which bed you chose and how many times you have tanned with us in the past, your tanning visit can provide many different results.

To nurture your skin and make sure your sun tan reaches its full golden color, consider investing in one of our specially formulated tan extending lotions before you leave Sun Tan City. These products are designed to keep skin soft and healthy and keep your tan looking its best.

What should I do to care for my tan?

It takes a little bit of extra care in order to keep your sun tan looking its very best, but not a lot of time. All of our products are formulated to help your skin stay well nourished and moisturized and to keep your tan glowing and vibrant. Ask your Tanning Consultant which products are the best for your skin type before you leave Sun Tan City.

The best sun tan care starts by bathing or showering within a few hours of returning home from your first base tanning session.

While showering, consider using the gentle ingredients of a tan extending body wash. It is a great way to cleanse your skin while also nourishing and extending your tan.

After showering, liberally apply one of our Tan Extenders. Our tan extending lotions feature special bronze enhancers that will make your tan stay vibrant longer while nourishing and softening skin. Be sure to drink plenty of water to nourish your skin from the inside, too, for maximum tan effectiveness.

Finally, be sure to wait a full 24 hours for the tanning process to complete before coming back to tan again. By the time you're done tanning, you should be able to see your final color and feel the difference in your skin. If you're just starting out, the difference might not be drastic, but we're confident that you'll see a healthy, radiant glow no matter what stage of tanning you're on.

As long as your skin stays soft and healthy and shows no signs of reddening, Sun Tan City welcomes you to come back often in order to deepen your color and maintain your shine.

Can I exchange my sun tanning lotion?

Absolutely.

No matter which Sun Tan City salon you choose to make a purchase, returns and exchanges are always simple with any Sun Tan City! To make your return or exchange experience as effortless as can be, we've adjusted our policy to match the circumstances of your purchase. We think you will find our “60 Day” Exchange Policy friendly and convenient.

What is Photosensitivity?

Photosensitivity is a condition that causes your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight, meaning it will have more intense reactions when exposed to UV rays. These reactions may go beyond the usual symptoms of sunburn. Exposure of photosensitive skin to sunlight or artificially produced UV rays—like those in sun tanning beds—can have intense and painful side effects. It's very important to know whether or not your skin is photosensitive before using one of our UV tanning beds or booths.

How can you tell if you're photosensitive? The condition is not uncommon and can be inherited, caused as a symptom of another condition or illness, and it can also be caused by medication, both prescription and over the counter. Photosensitivity can be triggered by the ingredients in products we use on a daily basis, such as makeup, perfume, anti-inflammatory drugs, and topical acne treatments.

It's very important to consult with your doctor before you begin tanning if you believe that any of your current medications may contain agents that would make your skin photosensitive. If you're not sure, please ask a pharmacist or doctor. Photosensitive skin will not tan properly and it's better to be safe than sorry.

Can I tan over my tattoos?

Absolutely! You can build and maintain a great sun tan while being mindful of your body art. Because the ink of a tattoo exists within the layers of your skin where UV rays start the tanning process, it's very important to be aware of your tattoos and take steps to protect tattooed areas from UV exposure.

Before coming in for a tanning session at Sun Tan City, make sure any recent tattoos are completely healed. Skin that has been recently tattooed is trying to complete the cycle of healing, and exposure to UV rays like those in a sun tanning bed may affect the results. Your tattoo is an investment, just like your tan, and it's a good idea to let your tattoo completely heal before trying to continue the tanning process.

If you're not sure if a tattoo is completely healed, speak with your tattoo artist. He or she is an expert regarding your new body art and will be able to tell you if your tattoo is healed enough to visit Sun Tan City. It is better to wait and resume your tanning sessions after your tattoo is fully healed.

If your tattoo isn't ready and you still want to tan, please consult your tattoo artist as to the best way to protect your tattoo from UV exposure.

Healed tattoos and older tattoos can be tanned safely by applying a high SPF lotion to the tattooed area prior to starting your tanning session. While UV rays turn your skin a healthy bronze, the tanning process can fade tattoo ink over time. Be sure to protect your body art with sunblock, so its colors stay as vibrant as your tan. Take good care of your tattoos and your tan to truly Let Yourself Shine®!