Tan Today

When you are ready to begin tanning indoors, be sure only to use a high-quality lotion purchased from your tanning salon professional. Lotions purchased from flea markets, drug stores and the Internet might not be what you think--even if they claim they are made for indoor tanning.

Indoor tanning lotions are formulated specifically for use with tanning equipment. There are many types of lotions and gels--from accelerators and amplifiers to tingle products and bronzers. Discuss your likes and dislikes with your tanning salon operator who will direct you down the path to a healthy-looking tan.

Manufacturers' studies indicate that the use of accelerators and amplifiers actually can enhance and stimulate the body's natural tanning process. When the skin is exposed to natural or manufactured ultraviolet light, it stimulates production of a pigment found in the body called melanin. When melanin is triggered, it rises to the epidermal layer of the skin, allowing the tanning process to begin. Since our bodies do not store large amounts of amino acids, which are components of melanin, it can take days after exposure to ultraviolet light to develop a tan.