FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TANNING LOTIONS

What are the benefits of tanning in a tanning bed?
Tanning beds are used to provide an environment that allows for cosmetic tanning. Many people believe they look good and feel better when they have a tan.

Will the tanning lotion speed up the tanning process?
The products that we sell are designed to topically provide vitamins and skin care ingredients that may be depleted during tanning and many contain cosmetic bronzers to help you look darker, faster.

Why Is Indoor Tanning "Smart Tanning?"
Indoor tanning, if you can develop a tan, is an intelligent way to minimize the risk of sunburn while maximizing the enjoyment and benefit of having a tan. We call this SMART TANNING because tanners are taught by trained tanning facility personnel how their skin type reacts to sunlight and how to avoid sunburn outdoors, as well as in a salon. For more information, visit www.theita.com or www.tanningtruth.com.

How are Designer Skin lotions better than what I can purchase at the drugstore or supermarket?
Over-the-counter lotions do not contain the necessary ingredients that will maximize your tanning results and extend the life of your tan. Moreover, mass market products do not replenish as effectively any lost moisturization that occurs during the tanning process. Designer Skin lotions are "bio-engineered" specifically for indoor tanning.

I think I tan better without a lotion. So why should I use one?
This erroneous belief can be easily rectified once clients actually understand the tanning process. For example, indoor tanning and UV exposure can be dehydrating to the skin. Designer Skin lotions will help to replenish any moisture that has been depleted during the tanning session, thereby improving your results. Not only will you get a darker tan, you will tan more quickly and it will last longer. In addition, Designer Skin lotions contain specific ingredients that promote tanning and melanin synthesis.

I can't feel the "tingle" anymore from my lotion. Why is that?
If you are an avid tingle tanner, oftentimes your skin acclimates to the tingle and you won't feel the sensation anymore. Despite this fact, the tingle is still working even if you are not feeling the heat. As with hair care products, we recommend switching products from time to time to "jump start" your skin.

How does tingle work? What does it do?
Tingle products deliver a warming, reddening effect on the skin. The active ingredient in Designer Skin's tingle lotions is Benzyl Nicotinate. Tingle products increase the skin cell's microcirculation and oxygenation to produce deep, dark tanning results. Tingles are for your advanced tanners and are not recommend for beginning tanners or individuals with sensitive skin. Tingle products are also effective on hard-to-tan areas such as women's legs. As with all tingle products, extra care should be taken when handling children and pets as the reddening effect could be transferred to skin even hours after use.

How does a dual bronzer work?
Dual bronzers provide bronze gratification from immediate cosmetic bronzers such as caramel and walnut extract as well as from DHA sunless tanning agents, which oxidize over a few hours with the natural proteins in the skin to develop even deeper, darker results. It recommended waiting at least 4 hours after tanning with any bronzer to ensure results.

How can I stop the tingle action on the skin?
If you do not carry a "stop action" type product in your salon, you may try using Angel Daily Moisturizer to mitigate the heat sensation. This will not stop the tingle, but it will alleviate it to a certain extent. Taking a shower with "cool" water and mild soap will also help ease the tingle. Never use warm or hot water as this will open up the pores and cause an even greater, intense tingle sensation.

​​​​​​​Why do I have these circles on my shoulders, buttocks, and/or lower waist that won't tan?
These are called "pressure points", where the most amount of pressure is on your body when reclining in the bed. The blood flow is constricted in those areas and that is why they don't seem to tan at all. Your best bet is to alternate your positions when tanning.

What is the benefit of using a lotion that contains Hemp Seed Oil?
Hemp Seed Oil is a humectant that pulls moisture from the air to the surface of the skin. It is a skin care ingredient that provides powerful hydration. This is a wonderful ingredient in a tanning lotion because UV exposure can be dehydrating to the skin. In addition, Hemp Seed Oil contains essential fatty acids which help ingredients penetrate into the lipid layers of the skin for increased efficacy. A great lotion to try is More More More but we do offer many.

Can I use lotion on my face?
The facial area is much more delicate and more likely to have allergic reactions in comparison to the rest of the body. In fact, fragrance is one of the most common reasons for cosmetic allergic reactions on the face. That is why we recommend using products specifically designed for the delicate facial area. Designer Skin does have facial accelerators and bronzers that are fragrance free and/or hypoallergenic that is specifically designed for the face. Take a look at the Facial tanning lotions​​​​​​​ that we carry.​​​​​​​

Does showering affect a tan?
Some clients have been misinformed about taking a shower after tanning. They were led to believe that, somehow, their tan would get washed down the drain. A shower, like a tanning session, may tend to dry out the skin. While you can't necessarily wash your tan off, moist skin tans and retains a tan better than dry skin. On the pH scale of 0-14, the skin registers slightly acidic (about 5.6). Most soaps are well above the neutral pH, or about 7 on the scale. Using a typical over-the-counter soap with this higher alkaline pH can strip your skin of its essential acidic oils. Those oils lock in your skin's moisture. We recommend using Tiny Bubbles shower gel, as it is specially formulated to protect your tan. Always apply a good quality moisturizer after a shower to help preserve your tan. While showering after a session tends to dry out the skin, there is evidence that showering before a tanning session may actually enhance tanning results. First, the heat from a shower opens your pores, enabling the skin to breathe and take in oxygen vital to the tanning process. Second, a shower will wash away dirt and dead skin cells that may impede ultraviolet penetration when you tan. Removing those dead cells also allows the active ingredients in lotions to work their way into the live skin cells more easily.

How do I protect a tattoo?
It is important not to expose a fresh tattoo to sunlight or indoor tanning equipment, while the tattoo is still healing, since chemicals sensitive to UV exposure have been injected into the skin. Cover the tattooed area completely or don't tan until the skin has healed. After the skin has healed the chemicals have lost their sensitivity to UV, but continue to take moderate protective measures. Tattoos will continue to lose their brilliancy with exposure to UV light, whether it comes from indoors or from outdoors. Using a good lip balm with SPF, such as Designer Skin's Lip Smoothie with SPF 15, will protect and preserve the brilliancy of your tattoo.  Plus it is small enough that you can precisely apply it to smaller tattoos. It can also be used on nails, to prevent yellowing. Another option is using lotions such as Pretty & Reckless and Mr. Big Time, which both contain Anti-Fade Tattoo Protection.