Benefits of Tanning are Endless.....

Decreases blood pressure
Lowers resting heart rate
Increases cardiac output
Increase in energy and endurance
Increases muscular strength
Lowers blood cholesterol
Increases resistance to infections
Increases oxygen capacity of blood
Increases tolerance to stress
Increases adrenaline in tissues
Increases sex hormones
Increases the skin's resistance to infections
Reduces the symptoms of PMS

UVB is known to be our primary source of Vitamin D which assists in the absorption of calcium. This in turn helps form and maintain bone structure. Vitamin D is also believed to reduce the risk of some cancers including colon cancer and breast cancer. Vitamin D is essential for proper health and while some other sources such as supplements are available, the main source of Vitamin D for most people is ultra violet light.

WHICH IS SAFER, TANNING INDOORS OR IN THE SUN? WHY?
Indoor tanning is a controlled environment, which allows you to slowly build a gradual tan, to develop and increase your natural SPF, and providing a safer environment. The external factors of tanning in the sun, such as time of year and day, cloud coverage, reflective surfaces, etc. are harder to control or predict, which may increase your risk of overexposure. Pigmentation and/or over exposure may not be fully visible for 12-24 hours after your original session. ​

DOES TANNING HELP TREAT DEPRESSION, SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD)?
Exposure to bright light, that's emitted by the mid-day summer sun, causes the brain to suppress the release of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin acts as a depressant in the body if generated during the daytime. Thus, when affected people are exposed to longer hours of bright light, they feel happier, euphoric and more able to enjoy life. Bright light sources emitting only visible light, are now frequently used to successfully treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). ​

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO ESTABLISH A TAN AND HOW IS IT MAINTAINED?
Our staff at Tropical Beaches will ask a series of questions and review the information supplied by you when you first visit to determine the bed type and exposure times suitable for you. You will generally start with a shorter exposure time and gradually work up to increased times. On average it will take 6-12 sessions at the recommended 24-48 hour intervals to achieve a good base tan. After a base tan is established you can maintain it with regular visits. The frequency of the visits depends on your individual skin characteristics and the type of bed you use but can range from 2-3 visits a week to as few as 4 sessions a month. ​

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DEVELOP A BASE TAN?
Exposure to UVB helps develop a natural barrier in the skin to protect the body from too much UV light. UVB stimulates the production of melanin, which then makes your cells stronger and less susceptible to UV light. In addition, exposure to UVB thickens the epidermis (the top skin layer), thereby limiting the amount of UV light, which could penetrate the lower skin layers. If this base tan is not developed or a natural sun protectant is not used, sunburn can occur and the DNA of the skin cells may become damaged. To tan smart is to build up your tan in a controlled and gradual manner. This gives your body a natural tan without burning, giving pigment a chance to develop and increasing your protection to UV light. It may take longer but you reduce the risk of over exposure and skin damage. Gradual exposures using the advice of a Tropical Beaches staff member will not only build a better tan but will prevent the negative aspects of over exposure. 

HOW OFTEN IS A PERSON ALLOWED TO GO TANNING?
A 24-48-hour time period should pass between tanning sessions depending on the bed type. Pigmentation and/or over exposure may not be fully visible for 12-24 hours after your original session. Two tanning sessions within this 24-hour period could result in an unintentional burn. Overexposure should always be avoided. Moderation is key. You may tan throughout the year if you are taking care not to over expose your skin at any time. You should always be aware of the dangers of over exposure, as it may lead to chronic skin damage. Take precautions not to indoor and outdoor tan on the same day, wear natural sun protector outside and always allow a 24-hour time period to lapse between tanning sessions. 

MUST PROTECTIVE EYE WEAR BE WORN DURING TANNING?
Although they may seem like a nuisance, the goggles that you wear while tanning are very important. Your eyelids alone offer almost no protection against UV light, which can damage the cornea and retina and lead to cataracts. Not using proper eye protection may also result in short term effects such as tired, itchy eyes, headaches and loss of night vision. No one should ever be in a tanning bed without eye protection. 

WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF TANNING EQUIPMENT?
Tanning beds perform differently just as individuals' skin tans differently. Some tanning beds produce different combinations of Ultraviolet A and B light than others and they therefore have different tanning characteristics. Some are made more to stimulate production of the melanin in your skin and others may be more apt to tan the pigment. The different types all play important roles but the type bed best for you depends on your existing tan at any given time, your skin type, and your individual results with each particular tanning bed type. As your tan develops you may find that better results are then achieved by switching to a different bed type. This is a very individualized process and we offer you a variety of bed types so that you can always have available what works best for you. 
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WILL THIS TYPE OF TAN PROTECT ME WHEN I TRAVEL TO A WARMER CLIMATE?
A tan, whether gotten naturally or via tanning systems, will not give you total protection from the sun down south. As a rule of thumb, pre-tanning will give you, depending on your skin type, roughly the equivalent of an SPF4 to an SPF 8 built into your skin. We always recommend that you are careful when going into natural sunlight: use a natural sun protector intelligently, and avoid excessive sunlight, especially between 11 am and 3 pm .The sun is natural and very healthy for you,(so are sun beds) just know your limits.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE NEVER TANNED BEFORE?
The staff at Tropical Beaches will do a skin analysis to determine your exposure time and recommended schedule. They will explain how UV light works and how your skin tans. ​

ARE THERE TIMES A PERSON SHOULDN'T TAN?
Yes. If you are on certain types of medications. Certain medicines are photosensitive and can cause you to burn or have unpredictable skin discolorations.. If uncertain you should always ask your physician or pharmacist.

I'VE BEEN READING A LOT ON ALL THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN D.  IS VITAMIN D PRODUCTION STIMULATED BY TANNING BEDS?
Tanning beds are the most efficient delivery system for vitamin D3 on the planet. You will produce anywhere between 10,000-20,000 IU’s of natural vitamin D from one single tanning session! We actually have a special meter which calculates the amount produced. Fair skinned people produce it quicker, darker skin types require more exposure. Vitamin D is really something that you should learn about. It can save your life. Check out some of the links below. ​

WILL THIS TYPE OF TAN PROTECT ME WHEN I TRAVEL TO A WARMER CLIMATE?
​A tan, whether gotten naturally or via tanning systems, will not give you total protection from the sun down south. As a rule of thumb, pre-tanning will give you, depending on your skin type, roughly the equivalent of an SPF4 to an SPF 8 built into your skin. We always recommend that you are careful when going into natural sunlight: use a natural sun protector intelligently, and avoid excessive sunlight, especially between 11 am and 3 pm .The sun is natural and very healthy for you,(so are sun beds) just know your limits.