Tanning Tips

December 1 2022

The importance of eye protection

Whether tanning in a salon, outdoors, or with your new home tanning bed, eye protection is a must for every session. With this in mind, we are going to explain why this is important, how it works and answer some frequently asked questions, and myths surrounding tanning eye protection.

What is eye protection?

Eye protection is created to protect your vision. When outdoors, this could be your sunglasses. When tanning indoors, this could be your sunbed goggles, or disposable eye protection. This should be worn during every tanning session the entire way through, to avoid affecting your vision.

Put on your eye protection prior to your tanning session, before the lamps start
Wear your eye protection the entire session
Don’t take off your eye protection until the tanning session is over and the lamps have turned off.

The impact not wearing eye protection can have:

Short-term impact:

Photokeratitis

Sometimes compared to sunburn, this is a painful temporary eye condition caused by exposure to UV. This affects your corneas and conjunctiva, temporarily damaging them. This can cause pain or redness in the eyes, tearing/watery eyes, blurry vision, swelling, light sensitivity, twitching of the eyelids, gritty sensation in the eyes, a temporary loss of vision or seeing halos, headaches, and colour changes in your vision. These symptoms can last from 6 to 24 hours, and are usually gone within 48 hours.

Pterygium

Also known as “surfer’s eye”, this is a pink, non-cancerous growth that forms over the white of your eye. UV is considered a cause for the development of these growths. Although this is initially a short-term issue, the growths must be removed before they grow over the cornea. This could otherwise scar your cornea, leading to long-term health problems.

Long-term impact:

Solar retinopathy

Similar to photokeratitis, but for those who have severely overexposed. Serious overexposure risks burning your retina and causing more long-lasting damage. Although this damage is painless, it can cause permanent damage, destroying light-sensing cells and worsening your vision.

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the eye natural lens (the part of the eye that focuses the light we see). UV light, especially UV-B rays, increases your risk for certain types of cataracts. It is estimated 10% of all cataract cases are directly related to UV exposure. These can take years to develop.

Macular degeneration

This is caused by damage to the retina over time and can be considered one of the leading causes of age-related blindness. Extended periods spent exposed to UV increases this likelihood.

Eye cancers

In the way that overexposure and burning can cause long-term skin damage, this is the same for your vision. Leaving eyes unprotected when tanning increases the risk of long-term damage.

Frequently asked questions

I have eyelash extensions, so should I still wear eye protection?

Yes! Although some believe that long eyelashes can be damaged by eye protection, there are options designed with long lashes in mind, such as WinkEase silver. Caring for your lashes and extensions is important, however this should not be to the detriment of your vision.

Can’t I just close my eyes?

Your eyelids are a very thin, delicate layer of skin. These only provide the equivalent of SPF 5 protection for your vision. This isn’t enough for long-term care and protection. This also means you are more likely to scrunch your eyes when tanning, which could cause uneven tan development is skin creases when you squint.

Can I not just cover my face with a towel?

This will not provide enough protection. The same as just closing your eyes, a towel, shirt or material covering will not provide enough protection for your vision. Unlike specially designed eye protection, the towels and shirts also allow light to travel through easily.

How do I use my phone when tanning then?

Although many people enjoy using their phone on a sunbed, this shouldn’t be done if it means that you are not wearing eye protection to view the screen. Your vision should always come first.

Doesn’t eye protection cause tan lines on your face?

Although this is something that is a regular cause for people to snub eye protection, this isn’t true. The delicate eye area doesn’t process tan in the same way that the rest of your body does. What’s more, eye protection is designed to ergonomically only cover the eye. Unlike sunglasses this doesn’t cover more than just your eye, meaning that it won’t cause unsightly lines on your face.

So what should you do to truly avoid facial tan lines?

What a lot of tanners don’t seem to realise is that there are lots of different things that cause patches around the eyes, that isn’t caused by eye protection. So, to ensure you aren’t encouraging an uneven tan, Australian Gold UK have shared some useful tips:

Remove all make up and moisturisers from your face prior to indoor tanning.
A lot of these contain an SPF, so cleaning this off of your face before a sunbed will ensure an even tan. Plus, some cosmetics can magnify UV light’s effect, leading to burning if left on whilst tanning. Alternatively when outdoors, it’s advised that you apply a layer of sun cream over the top of SPF moisturisers. Although some cosmetics provide sun protection, when sunbathing this doesn’t cut it.
Be careful with your application of tanning lotions.
As many lotions contain bronzers, if they’re not applied carefully to the face, this is setting the delicate eye area up for failure. Just because this skin lacks melanin, does not mean that it is immune to the effects of natural bronzers and DHA! If bronzers are applied here, this will leave you with unnatural-looking dark circles.
Use different types of goggle or sunglasses.
Varying the size of eyewear can be seen as the facial version of changing swimsuits to prevent tan lines.
Adjust goggles or sunglasses during sessions.
Whilst ensuring that eyes remain covered throughout a sunbed or whilst sunbathing, moving these slightly mid-session will avoid nose bridges from causing any lines.
Accept that sunglasses are a major contributor to any tan lines on the face.
Wearing sunglasses is important for protecting eyes from natural sunlight, however the size of glasses will correspond to the tanned and pale areas on your face, as they inhibit UV from reaching the skin covered by glasses. The smaller the sunglasses, the smaller the panda eye area.
Understand that the delicate skin surrounding the eye does not tan like the rest of the face anyway.
It is unrealistic to believe that eyelids will bronze as deeply as cheeks and the nose. The skin is a lot thinner and contains less melanin.

February 24 2022

How does your skin tan?

Tanning Tips 1

What is the tanning process? How does it work to tan your skin?

How does skin tan? Many people love the look and confidence they gain from tanning. However, how many of them actually know how this process happens. By understanding your skin’s process, you can ensure you aren’t overexposing yourself. This will help for the best, and longest-lasting tan results possible!

UV rays

UV radiation is a form of electromagnetic energy, naturally created by the sun. This is also artificially created by sunbeds, lasers and blacklights. However, although the way the light is created is artificial, the UV produced is the same as the sun. Sunbeds harness the use of UVA and UVB rays. These are both responsible for tanning the skin in different ways:

UVA

UVA is the longest wavelength. This penetrates deeply into lower layers of the epidermis during the tanning process. UVA is the first UV ray to impact on the tanning process, by waking up your skin’s melanocytes.

Melanocytes create and store melanin in a clear form. When reached by UVA, these release melanin, which raises to the surface of the skin in a clear form.

UVB

After UVA has reached the skin and brought melanin to the surface of the skin, it is UVB’s time to shine.

UVB is a shorter wavelength. This works alongside oxygen to oxidise the melanin on the surface layer of your skin. This is what works to help it deepen in colour and turn brown.

How does skin tan: Melanin

The speed of the tanning process can be affected by many different things: How regularly you tan, if your skin is dry, whether you use tanning lotion, and your natural melanin levels.

The more melanin you have in your skin, not only the darker your skin tone, but also the deeper and faster you will tan. This also means, the fairer your skin tone, the shorter a period of time you can spend tanning, to avoid overexposure and burning. Not only could this lead to skin damage, but it also prevents you from tanning, meaning any results already accrued are obsolete until your skin recovers.

We always advise building up your time tanning gradually to avoid overexposure, no matter your skin type.

Fitzpatrick scale tanning skin type home tanning sunbed

Click HERE to find out more about skin types!

How to boost your tan further

Although different skin types will tan at different rates and to different depths, there are certain tips to help boost your glow.

Moisturise daily; dry skin reflects light. By moisturising skin, UV is able to penetrate more evenly, and you ensure a deeper, uniform tan.
Always use tanning lotion. Not only are these crammed full of colour-boosting technologies, as well as anti-ageing skincare and moisturisers for a longer-lasting glow. We recommend Australian Gold.
Increase water intake; hydrating skin from the inside out will slow down natural skin shedding, for longer-lasting colour.

what should you expect from your first tanning session

January 31 2022

What to expect from your first tanning session

News, Tanning Tips 0

Looking to build up your tan? Check out our top tips to make sure your tanning practices get you the best results, and ensure you’re tanning responsibly too!

1. Tan for your skin type

Make sure that you aren’t tanning for longer than is appropriate for your skin type. Different skin types can spend more time exposed to UV than others; the darker your natural skin tone, the more melanin you have. However, the less melanin you have in your skin, the more likely you are to overexpose yourself. Not sure what your skin type is? Click HERE to find out!

If in doubt, we always recommend lowering your minutes to begin with, and building them up as you spend more time tanning.

2. Use your lotion!

Did you know that tanning lotion should be used within 10 minutes of every tanning session? This is for many different reasons:

This kickstarts the tanning process within 30 seconds, rather than the natural time of three minutes
Tanning lotions contain skincare and tanning technologies to enhance your tanning results
This helps neutralise any bacteria on the skin, making sure you don’t smell after your tanning session
The application of a tanning lotion helps protect tattoos and prevents them from fading
Lotions keep skin hydrated, soft and supple
This makes your tan last longer thanks to the hydrating ingredients and skincare
Encourages a more even tan, and deeper results.
Tanning lotions are also a must for those with sensitive skin – although some believe that lotions can irritate skin sensitivities, and so avoid applying, this can actually be exacerbating sensitivities further. When tanning, this can dry skin, meaning that without lotion, skin will increase its natural oil production, which can cause irritation or discomfort. There are hypoallergenic tanning lotions which are designed for sensitive skin with this purpose in mind.

3. Always wear Eye protection

Always wear the eye protection. Your eyelids only provide you with the equivalent of SPF5, so relying on closing your eyes will not give them full protection that they need. All sunbed eye protection is designed ergonomically to fit the eye area, without any risk of tan lines around the eye.

4. SPF for specifics

Although sun cream isn’t recommended to be used on a sunbed, as a replacement for tanning lotion, there are some specific times when SPF can come in handy. This is ideal for scars, lips, hyperpigmentation and microdermabrasion:

Scars can discolour when tanned, applying an SPF prevents this.
Lips are just as likely to get overexposed as the rest of your body. By applying a lip balm with SPF in it, you protect them and helps avoid them drying out.
Microdermabrasion can fade just like tattoos, by applying SPF this acts as a barrier on the skin, to prevent these from fading.
Hyperpigmentation can be enhanced further by tanning, as some parts of your skin are able to tan deeper than others, applying SPF may work to help even out these areas in certain situations.

For the rest of the body, we still strongly recommend using tanning lotion. Sun cream will not help you to tan on a sunbed, due to the short, controlled time spent tanning, compared to sunbathing where sun cream is necessary for full body application, regardless of skin type.

5. Tattoo technology

A great way to help prevent tattoos from fading, and also help those with dry skin, is by using a tanning lotion with tattoo protection in. This works to deeply hydrate your tattoos, helping keep them vibrant.

Want to see some lotions with this technology? Click HERE to view Australian Gold®’s collection!

6. Moisturise

In order to gain a great tan, we recommend moisturising in between tanning sessions after bathing or showering, and also after your sunbed. This helps to keen skin soft, supple and promise a longer-lasting tan. Moisturising also works to deepen future tan results, for an overall even glow.

7. How frequently?

The Sunbed Association (TSA) recommends 60 sessions per year, and to limit exposure if going out to the beach for a day or spending a lot of time outdoors, as this results in a heightened risk of burning.

We also recommend that you leave at least 24 hours in between sessions. However, this should be extended further for fair-skinned and new tanners to at least 48 hours. The tanning process takes 48 hours, so by leaving this full period of time, you are able to see the impact your tanning session before tanning again.

We also advise avoiding tanning before or after a day spent in the sun. This will just add to your overall total UV exposure, again increasing your likelihood of overexposing or burning. However, if you are going to do this, we strongly advise applying a high factor sun cream when outdoors, to keep skin as well protected as possible.

why should you apply tanning lotion before your home sunbed session

December 13 2021

Why should you use a tanning lotion?

Tanning Tips 0

Why should you use a tanning lotion?

Now that you have your home sunbed, you may be wondering what the best practices are for gaining the deepest tan results and best skin condition. One way is by using a tanning lotion before each home sunbed session.

There are many positives to regularly using a tanning lotion during your home tanning session. Ultimately this can work to help provide the best tan results possible.

What happens when you use a tanning lotion?

Professional tanning lotions have been crammed full of antioxidants, vitamins, natural oils and moisturisers which work to improve skin condition. So, when you apply a tanning lotion before your sunbed session, you will experience:

An increase in collagen synthesis and skin firmness, which will plump skin and combat the ageing process.
Increased skin hydration, preventing a dry and dull appearance and promising for longer-lasting tans.
Counteraction to skin inflammation.
Overall improved skin condition that feels softer and more supple.
No tanning odours, as tanning lotions have been designed to leave you feeling and smelling fresh.
Deeper and longer-lasting tan results at a faster rate.

australian gold tanning lotion accelerator k is being held in a laydown sunbed. you can see the tanner's legs and their manicured right hand that is holding the tanning lotion in the sunbed

In fact, studies show that unlike those who tan “dry” (whose tanning process begins three minutes into their tanning session),

Those who use a tanning lotion kickstart their natural tanning process within 30 seconds.

This means you are able to enhance your tanning results by up to 50% with the use of a tanning lotion compared to those who tan “dry”, or without lotion.

What’s more, these benefits don’t include the further improved results from lotions including different bronzing agents and technologies. These help personalise tanning results further. They can offer longer-lasting tan results, or a powerful boost to your glow for event tanners. Bronzers can provide great results for all tanners, and are ideal for those looking for that immediate kiss of colour.

When should you apply tanning lotion?

The best time to apply your tanning lotion is within 10 minutes of your tanning session. This ensures that your skin hasn’t fully absorbed the lotion, and the tanning technologies will work to their full potential.

Although you can apply your tanning lotion prior to this recommendation, this means you will not get the full potential from your product. Instead, your product acts more as a premium moisturiser, rather than to enhance tan results further, as it is absorbed fully into the skin prior to your tanning session. Many tanning lotions contain ingredients such as melanin and tyrosine which rely on UV to enhance your natural tan faster. If the lotion has been absorbed before tanning, these technologies cannot help you tan deeper or faster.

What should you use?

When looking at what the best tanning lotion is, we always recommend Australian Gold UK. This brand ensures that all ingredients are of the best quality and have been a global leader for over 30 years!

Why shouldn’t you use products not designed for tanning?

With the rise in the popularity of TikTok trends and challenges, there has been a rise in the number of people using the wrong products whilst tanning. However we strongly recommend you do not follow these challenges. Unlike tanning lotions, some of the products being recommended do not contain the appropriate skincare ingredients for use on a sunbed.

For example, the use of baby oil, Nivea moisturiser (as popular in May 2021) and Bryl Cream all contain alcohols which can magnify UV rays, and increase your risk of burning. What’s more, these products are not designed for use on a sunbed and can damage your equipment. Many home sunbed users and salons alike have found that the use of baby oil on their equipment causes their sunbed acrylic to cloud up before cracking. This means your home sunbed would be dangerous to use, and the acrylic must be replaced which can be expensive.

In comparison, sunbed tanning lotions have been designed with UV rays, your skin and the wellbeing of your equipment in mind to ensure the best tanning results, and safety for your equipment.

maintenance and care for home sunbed home tanning

October 26 2021

How to care for your home sunbed

Tanning Tips 0

After treating yourself to your tanning bed, there will most likely be one thing on your mind – what can I do to care for my home sunbed and keep it in the best shape possible?

Here are some quick and easy tips to help you care for your home sunbed the best way possible, covering things you can do both during your tanning sessions, and afterwards.

1. Remove your jewellery before tanning

One of the main things that can affect your sunbed’s tanning performance is the condition of the acrylic; especially on laydown beds. This can be affected by scratching, clouding and general damage and uncleanliness. However, how can we combat this?

One way to prevent this is to remove all jewellery prior to tanning. This can help stop you from scratching the acrylic whilst you tan. What’s more, some jewellery can heat up quickly, so by removing this, you lessen the likelihood of your jewellery heating up and burning you. Finally, this will also prevent you from gaining tan lines.

2. Don’t sit on your equipment with jeans / studded clothing on

One of the main reasons why both home customers and salons experience acrylic damage is from people sitting on their laydown tanning equipment with jeans on. Typically, people will do this when removing shoes or clothing prior to a tanning session. However, the body will move naturally whilst doing this, meaning that any jean studs can scratch your equipment. These scratches and scuffs can prevent your equipment from performing as well as desired.

This can also be relevant for belts, skirts etc.

Tip: If you need to sit down to remove clothing, we recommend placing a chair near your home sunbed to act as a support that won’t risk damaging your acrylic.

3. Use the right products during your session

Although it may be tempting to use different products instead of a tanning lotion, this can be damaging for both yourself and your equipment.

Tanning lotions are designed for tanning, they care for, rejuvenate and nourish skin whilst you tan, for deeper, longer-lasting results, and restore any lost natural oils from the process. In comparison, high street moisturisers, baby oil, and other trending products have not been designed to care for the same purpose. Many high-street products contain alcohols or drying ingredients. When using this in conjunction with a sunbed, the drying ingredients can increase your risk of overexposing or burning skin, leading to sun damage.

Tanning lotions have also been designed to work with your home sunbed. This is especially important for laydown sunbeds, or if you lean on the walls of your stand up tanning unit. Your sunbed’s acrylic (the clear plastic between you and your lamps) is porous. This means that when your home sunbed heats up, the acrylic expands, and when the session is over it contracts to prevent it cracking. Applying products not designed for tanning during this process can prevent your acrylic from being able to do this. when this happens, your sunbed’s acrylic will start clouding, before it eventually cracks. When this cracks, it will need replacing immediately which can be costly.

4. Cleaning your home sunbed

One of the worst things for your home sunbed is cleaning with household cleaners. Many of these contain abrasive ingredients such as bleach and alcohols. These ingredients can degrade and damage your equipment.

We recommend either a specific sunbed cleaning solution such as Smart Clean, glass cleaner or simply warm, soapy water. These alternatives are gentle enough, to care for your home sunbed and allow you to clean your sunbed after every use, to keep it in the best condition possible, whilst also avoiding damage.

Remember: You should clean your sunbed after every use. This is to remove any sweat or lotion from the bed which could cloud your acrylic over time and lessen your equipment’s tanning performance.

5. Don’t forget to care for your sunbed filters!

Another way to care for home sunbed is to clean your filters regularly. Your sunbed filters (available in laydown and stand up sunbeds) improve air flow and remove dust. However, if not cleaned regularly this can risk your sunbed overheating.

To clean them, simply hoover to remove all dust, dirt and debris that may have been collected. Easy as that!

October 15 2021

What is your tanning skin type?

Tanning Tips 1

Why do I need to know my skin type?

As someone looking to buy a home sunbed, you must be aware of your tanning skin type, as this dictates how long you should spending tanning.

The premise of understanding your tanning skin type provides you with an estimate of how long you may be able to spend tanning without overexposing your skin or burning it. Make sure to follow your skin type’s recommended tanning time, and only build up your minutes you spend tanning gradually to lessen the risk of overexposure.

The Fitzpatrick scale

The Fitzpatrick scale is used to measure your tanning skin type.

Check out this version here for a basic understanding of the six skin type categories:

More details for each skin type…

Alongside people’s skin tone, there are other factors that can also indicate how you may tan naturally which we have listed below.

Skin Type 1:

Very fair skin, lots of freckles, red or light blonde natural hair, blue or grey eyes.

High burn risk – skin turns red and peels then goes back to fair. Advised not to tan.

Skin Type 2:

Fair skin, possibly freckled, blonde or brown hair, green and grey eyes.

High burn risk – Great care should be taken when tanning to avoid overexposure. Tanning tends to naturally be light. Time tanning should start gradually, and be built up slowly to avoid overexposure.

Skin Type 3:

Fair to light brown skin tones, few or no freckles, dark blonde to light brown hair, green, grey or hazel eyes.

Medium burn risk, capable of building up a medium tan. Tanning should start gradually, however minutes can be built up faster than a skin type 2, as long as no burning occurs.

Skin Type 4:

Light brown skin, dark brown hair and eyes.

Burning is rare. Tanning is rapid and deep. Tanning should start gradually, to avoid overexposure, but tanning times can then be extended for longer periods of time than for skin types 3 and below.

Skin Type 5:

Deep brown skin, dark hair and eyes.

Overexposure or burning is rare, tanning is rapid and deep.

Skin Type 6:

Very dark skin. Black hair and dark eyes.

Never burns in natural sunlight.

Don’t forget…

No matter your skin type, we always recommend the use of a tanning lotion when tanning. Not only does this help kickstart the tanning process faster, but it also helps deepen results and keep skin soft and supple.

For great quality lotions, we recommend Australian Gold UK

October 14 2021

Guide: What home sunbed is right for you?

Tanning Tips 0

What to prepare, ready for your home sunbed

Looking to treat yourself to a sunbed at home, but unsure on what is the right choice?

Here are some things that should be taken into consideration prior to buying your home tanning bed. Make sure it’s the best choice for you!

Size

What space do you have available for your sunbed at home? Is there a permanent position you’re looking for it to fill, or are you looking for something that you can fold away and bring out when needed?

No matter your situation, we have a unit for you! Make sure to measure the space you are hoping your sunbed will fit in, make sure that there is an electrical supply close by, and check out the dimensions of the desired equipment (both open and closed if applicable) to make sure it’s the right fit for you. If you have any concerns about this, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and we are more than happy to help further.

How do you like to tan?

Do you prefer standing up during your tanning session, or are you keen on laying down and relaxing during your twelve-minute holiday?

Either way, the luxury of having a sunbed at home means you can choose the unit that is right for you!

Click here to view our collection of sunbeds

Prefer standing up?

Take up less space than a laydown home sunbed
No set-up before every tanning session
You won’t develop white marks (pressure points) on your shoulder blades and hips like you can do on a laydown sunbed

Want to lay back and relax?

More relaxing experience
Some home sunbeds come with facial tanners to boost your natural glow
No need to set-up prior to every tanning session

Maybe you need something a bit smaller…

Easy to store, so it doesn’t take up space in between tanning sessions
Tan where you like!

View our stand-up sunbeds here

See our laydown sunbeds

View our compact units

Financing your equipment

Unsure whether your ideal sunbed works with your budget? Don’t worry! We now offer 0% finance schemes. We also offer a Pay-in-3 initiative with Klarna for certain units, such as our Hapro Summer Glow Facial Tanner.

Find out more about our financing options here

Still a bit unsure what would be the best choice for you?

We understand that this can be a difficult decision. So if you’re still teetering on the edge as to what tanning bed would be best for you, please don’t hesitate to check out our FAQs for further information. Alternatively, feel free get in touch with us!

Click here to get in touch