Looking for Safe Tanning Booths

There's nothing like a glowing healthy tan to make you look your best, right? But is a healthy tan really healthy? The debate over the safety of controlled tanning under lights goes on, and you are probably looking for safe tanning booths. Don't be discouraged; you can be tan and healthy.

Tanning technology continues to improve as scientists study the safest and most efficient ways to achieve an attractive tan. Many experts believe the indoor controlled tanning offered by booths is much safer than the uncontrolled tanning people get by spending hours outdoors in the sun.

Outdoor sun exposure involves several factors that can vary greatly, such as cloud cover, pollution in the air, altitude and reflective surfaces. For example, it can be difficult to judge the sun's intensity on a hazy day. And, as most people who have had a sunburn know, you usually don't see your skin reddening until it's too late.

Reputable tanning salons will offer several services to make tanning a safe experience. They have an exposure schedule that should be strictly followed for maximum safety, and the exposure schedule varies with each client's skin type. Clients with the types of skin more easily damaged by UV rays will increase their time in the booth very gradually, while clients with skin types that brown easily will be able to increase their exposure times sooner. Salons should offer safety goggles as eye protection.

Salon employees will watch for clients who might have photosensitivity - sensitivity to sunlight - a condition that can happen because of things such as medications, hormones foods, or lotions. Your tanning salon should have a list of substances that are known photosensitizers, and you can check to see if you eat or use anything on the list. A photoallergy is a more severe reaction to light, and a phototoxic reaction is a harmful reaction.

As a wise consumer, make your tanning booths appointments at a salon where these safety considerations are offered to every client so every tanning experience can be a positive one.