Tanning Techniques

At The Tanning Shop there are a variety of tanning applications...

UV Stand up units offer a fast, convenient and hygienic tanning service, ideal for those of you who want to build up a beautiful tan, but who don't have much time on your hands.

UV Lay down units offer a relaxing, comfortable and hygienic tanning service, suited for those of you who want to pamper yourself and escape for a few minutes whilst building a beautiful tan.

UV Free Spray Tan is the latest tanning innovation. This application takes less than a minute and the results are instantly apparent. This is ideal for those of you who want a natural, flawless tan for a special occasion or event.

The Tanning Shop recommends that a lotion is used with any UV tanning application. These not only accelerate you tan (up to 60% faster tan), but provide your skin with the nutrients sometimes lost by exposure to UV light.

Understand why you tan

When skin is exposed to UVB light, cells called melanocytes in the deeper dermis layer of the skin produce increased amounts of melanin, the tanning pigment. This is then transferred to the top layer of skin, the epidermis. UVA acts upon the melanin near the surface by oxidising it. This turns the melanin brown and creates what we know as a tan. UVB also produces a thickening of the horny layer of the skin. This process, together with the protection from the oxidised melanin can create a level of sun protection in the skin.

How to achieve the best tan

The best way to create and maintain a tan is by encouraging the melanocytes to produce more melanin and then drawing it to the top layers of skin and retaining and oxidising it there. This is done by exposing the skin frequently (3 times a week) via a series of tanning sessions which do not burn the skin (which is actually counterproductive and harmful).

Many of the lotions at The Tanning Shop are designed to encourage the melanin to rise to the surface of the skin and oxidise, hence accelerating the tan. Lotions also re-hydrate the skin preventing drying of the skin. If you over expose your skin to UV rays, your skin will likely burn or peel. This means your body is shedding melanin and therefore the skin is loosing it`s tan and it's protection.