For proper protection against the rays from the sun, a tan itsef is not sufficient. The skin is best protected
when it is both tanned and thickened. Excessive thickening of the epidermis may occur after an extremely
intensive tanning session when the skin gives off a signal and starts to peel. In most cases, a peeled skin
leads to patchy tanning. When you are on holiday use a lotion containing a sunscreen.
Is there a difference between a suntan from the sunbed and one from being outdoors?
If the lamps of the sunbed contain a small percentage of UV-B and a larger percentage of UV-A, your skin
will react in exactly the same way as it will out in the open air, namely by tanning and by thickening. The
pigmentation of both forms of suntans evolves in exactly the same way and both will result in a natural
tanning process.
People who occasionally suffer from a mild form of acne will usually benefit from a tanning session. The
skin dries out a little and the radiation seems to have a disinfecting and healing ability. In some cases of
severe acne, however, solar radiation has the opposite effect: the acne reacts to the light and gets worse.
When in doubt, always consult your GP.
As UV-radiation is harmful to the naked eye, we advise against reading on the sunbed. We would advise
anyone to wear special UV goggles during the sunbed sessions and to avoid looking into the lamps without
wearing eye protection.
If you do not need to avoid the natural sun, you can use a sunbed as well. However, excessive sunbathing
should be avoided in order to prevent too much strain on the body. In case of doubt, please ask your doctor.
Can you use a sunbed when you are taking medicines?
Some medicines greatly increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV-radiation. They contain substances with a socalled
photo toxic effect. Always read the medicine’s instructions as they should contain this information
and consult your GP whether your tanning programme should be adapted to the medicines used.
What do I have to remember when I use a tanning product?
If the product has been medically and dermatologically tested, there is no reason why you should not use it.
However, we would advise against using untested tanning pills or tanning creams. We can recommend
lotions for individual skin types to moisturise and care for the skin while also enhancing your tan.
Do I have to use any protective lotion on the sunbed?
A personal tanning programme for a sunbed is based on the individual skin type and always assumes that the
skin is without any oil or cream. Sunburn protective agents, oils and creams can influence your tanning
programme and make it unreliable. This does not apply to creams developed for the use under a sunbed.
People with dry skin often like using a hydrating cream before or after a tanning session.
As soap affects natural skin oils, we advise against showering or bathing with soap just before a tanning
session. There is absolutely no problem in showering after tanning. We can reassure people who believe that
their tan will wash off - that their beautiful tan will stay exactly where it is!
The insides of the arms and legs do not tan so well because they have less pigment-forming cells than the
rest of the skin. The face does not tan easily because it has a thicker horny layer by nature, especially as a
protection against UV-B rays. Freckles and pigmental spots have a high number of tanning pigments, and
for this reason will turn darker much faster than other parts of the skin. Parts of the skin that we lay on have
a poor circulation. A lack of oxygen may lead to a reduced coloration of melanin pigments. Tanning
“without pressure spots” is thus provided best by vertical tanning units.
About two to four weeks after sunbathing. Due to the natural renewal of the skin, the upper skin cells are
shed little by little. After approx. 28 days the skin will have renewed itself. By means of corresponding care
with special moisturising products, for example, the tan can be conserved longer.
