Substitutes for Tanning Goggles: What Actually Works

By David Gray • Updated May 2026 • Medically reviewed May 2026
tanning bed goggles

If you’ve arrived at a tanning bed session without goggles, there are two substitutes worth knowing about — wraparound UV400 sunglasses and tanning eye stickers. Neither is as effective as proper tanning goggles, but in a pinch, either is significantly better than tanning with no eye protection at all.

That said, it’s important to understand what’s actually at stake before treating substitutes as a long-term solution. The UV intensity inside a tanning bed is far higher than outdoor sunlight, and your eyes are genuinely vulnerable. This article covers what the substitutes are, how to use them correctly, and why getting a proper pair of goggles should be the priority after your session.

Key Takeaways

  • The two best substitutes for tanning goggles are wraparound UV400 sunglasses and tanning eye stickers — both are emergency options only, not long-term replacements.
  • Closing your eyes is not sufficient protection — eyelids transmit a significant amount of UV radiation and provide nowhere near the protection of certified eyewear.
  • Tanning bed UV can cause photokeratitis (corneal sunburn), accelerate cataract formation, and contribute to macular degeneration with repeated unprotected exposure.
  • Wraparound sunglasses must offer 100% UVA/UVB protection and must wrap fully around the face — standard flat-lens frames leave dangerous gaps.
  • Tanning stickers physically block the eye surface but don’t seal the surrounding area — they are the more reliable of the two substitutes if positioned correctly.
  • Proper tanning goggles are inexpensive, widely available, and the only purpose-built solution — prioritise getting a pair before your next session.

Why Eye Protection in a Tanning Bed Is Non-Negotiable

Tanning beds emit concentrated UV radiation — both UVA and UVB — at intensities that can significantly exceed natural midday sunlight. Unlike outdoor UV exposure, which comes primarily from one direction and is partially filtered by atmosphere, tanning bed UV radiates from bulbs surrounding your body on all sides, including directly above and below your face.

The eyes are highly vulnerable to this. Short-term overexposure to UV in a tanning bed can cause photokeratitis — sometimes called a corneal sunburn — which produces symptoms including eye pain, redness, a gritty sensation, tearing, and sensitivity to light. It typically resolves within a day or two but is genuinely painful while it lasts.

Long-term or repeated unprotected exposure carries more serious risks. UV radiation — both UVA and UVB — is an established risk factor for cataract formation, accelerated macular degeneration, and damage to the retina. These conditions are cumulative, meaning the damage builds over time rather than appearing after a single session.

Closing your eyes is a common misconception as a protection method. Eyelids are thin and transmit a meaningful proportion of UV radiation — they are not a substitute for certified eyewear in any meaningful sense. If you have noticed any skin sensitivity or reactions from tanning bed use, consider how much more sensitive your eye tissue is by comparison.

Substitute 1: Wraparound UV400 Sunglasses

Wraparound sunglasses that offer 100% UVA/UVB protection are the most practical emergency substitute. The key word is wraparound — standard flat-framed sunglasses, even those with full UV400 protection, leave significant gaps at the sides, top, and below the lens through which UV from the surrounding bulbs can enter. Inside a tanning bed where UV radiates from multiple directions simultaneously, those gaps are a real problem.

When choosing sunglasses as a substitute, look for:

  • 100% UV400 protection — this indicates the lenses block all UV radiation up to 400nm wavelength, covering both UVA and UVB
  • Wraparound fit — the frame should curve around the sides of your head to seal against light entering from the periphery
  • Comfortable, secure fit — glasses that shift during a session defeat their own purpose

Our recommended option for this is the Nitrogen UV 400 Wraparound Sunglasses — they offer full UV400 coverage and a wraparound profile that reduces side-entry UV more effectively than standard frames.

Keep in mind that even well-fitting sunglasses leave some gaps and are not designed for the UV intensity of a tanning bed environment. They are a significantly better option than nothing, but should not replace proper tanning goggles beyond an emergency session.

Substitute 2: Tanning Eye Stickers

Tanning eye stickers are small adhesive pads — typically circular — that stick directly over the eyes to physically block UV from reaching the surface of the eye. They’re commonly available at tanning salons and online, and many salons keep them as a backup option for clients who’ve forgotten their goggles.

Stickers work differently from goggles or sunglasses — rather than filtering UV through a lens, they create a physical opaque barrier. Positioned correctly, they block UV effectively at the point of contact. The limitation is that they don’t seal the surrounding orbital area the way goggles do, which means UV can still reach the eye from angles above, below, or to the sides if the sticker isn’t precisely centered.

To use them correctly:

  • Centre the sticker directly over your closed eye, ensuring it covers the entire eyelid and sits flat
  • Press firmly around the edges to make sure it’s adhered properly before entering the bed
  • Keep your eyes closed throughout the session as an additional precaution

Between the two substitutes, tanning stickers are arguably more reliable than sunglasses for blocking direct UV — but they share the limitation of not being purpose-built for tanning bed conditions. Our recommendation if your salon has them available is the disposable tanning eye stickers widely stocked at salons and online.

Why Proper Tanning Goggles Remain the Only Real Solution

Tanning goggles are specifically engineered for the UV environment inside a tanning bed. They wrap completely around the eye socket, creating a seal that blocks UV radiation from all angles — including from the sides and below, which substitutes can’t fully address. They’re also certified to meet UV protection standards for tanning bed use, which standard sunglasses are not.

Beyond protection, proper goggles don’t leave tan lines around the eye area the way wraparound sunglasses do — a practical consideration if you’re tanning regularly. They’re also comfortable, lightweight, and reusable indefinitely.

The Super Sunnies Tanning Bed Goggles are one of the most popular and widely recommended options — affordable, low-profile, and designed specifically for indoor tanning use. A full comparison of the best options is available in our dedicated guide to the best tanning bed goggles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular sunglasses in a tanning bed?

Only as an emergency substitute, and only if they offer 100% UV400 protection and have a wraparound fit. Standard flat-framed sunglasses — even those with full UV protection — leave gaps at the sides where UV from surrounding tanning bed bulbs can enter. They are significantly better than nothing but are not a reliable long-term replacement for proper tanning goggles.

Can I close my eyes instead of wearing goggles?

No — this is not sufficient protection. Eyelids are thin skin that transmit a meaningful amount of UV radiation, particularly at the intensities produced by tanning beds. Closing your eyes offers some reduction in exposure but nowhere near the protection of certified eyewear. Always use at least one of the substitute options described above if goggles aren’t available.

What happens if you tan without eye protection?

Short-term, unprotected UV exposure in a tanning bed can cause photokeratitis — essentially a sunburn of the cornea — which produces pain, redness, a gritty sensation, and light sensitivity. Long-term or repeated unprotected exposure is an established risk factor for cataracts, macular degeneration, and retinal damage. These risks are cumulative and increase with each unprotected session.

Are tanning stickers better than sunglasses as a substitute?

They serve different purposes and have different limitations. Tanning stickers physically block UV at the surface of the eye and don’t rely on lens quality, but they don’t seal the surrounding area. Wraparound UV400 sunglasses offer broader coverage of the orbital area but rely on the frame fitting well enough to minimise gaps. In an ideal scenario you’d use proper tanning goggles, but of the two substitutes, stickers are often the more reliable choice if positioned correctly.

How long can I tan without goggles before it causes damage?

There is no established safe duration for tanning without eye protection in a tanning bed. Photokeratitis can result from a single session of sufficient intensity — the same way skin can burn quickly under strong UV. The tanning bed time chart guides session length for skin, but there is no equivalent threshold for eyes — certified eyewear should be worn for every session regardless of duration.

Do tanning salons have goggles you can use?

Many salons sell or loan disposable eye protection — stickers in particular are commonly kept behind the counter. It’s always worth asking before your session if you’ve forgotten your goggles. Some salons require eye protection as a condition of using their beds, in line with responsible tanning guidelines.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ever caught without tanning goggles, wraparound UV400 sunglasses or tanning stickers are the best available alternatives — use one of them rather than going without any protection. But treat them as exactly what they are: a one-off solution for a forgotten pair, not a routine replacement.

Tanning goggles are inexpensive, last indefinitely, and are the only eyewear purpose-built for the UV conditions inside a tanning bed. Order a pair before your next session — the risk to your eyes from skipping them regularly is not worth it.

References

Scroll to Top