Differences Between the Sun & Tanning Beds

Both natural sunlight and tanning beds expose your skin to UV rays which change the color of your skin and give you a tan.

Benefits of Tanning Beds and Natural Sunlight

• Tanning beds offer greater privacy and offer the ability to tan in the winter months. Natural sunlight takes longer to tan but offers a more natural color.

Considerations For Tanning Beds

• You should always use sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher and wear eye goggles to protect your eyes. You should never use a traditional tanning bed for longer than 15 minutes.

Considerations For Natural Tanning

• When tanning in natural sunlight you should use a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Avoid daylight hours of 10am to 3pm when the sun's rays are at their most severe. Do not attempt to get the perfect tan in a day.

Misconceptions

• Tanning beds are not a safer alternative than natural sunlight for tanning. Exposing yourself to high levels of UV rays increases your risk of skin disease and skin cancer.

Tanning Without Risks

• If you want a tan that will not put you at risk of skin disease, sunless skin pigmentation is the safest route. Sunless tanning can cost more than regular tanning but does reduce the risk of skin disease. However there is always the risk of allergic reaction.