If you’re new to tanning beds, the experience can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. With the right preparation and knowledge, beginners can achieve a beautiful, even tan in 5-15 minutes per session, with results visible after just 1-2 visits. The key is understanding your skin type, choosing the right bed pressure, preparing your skin properly, and following safe exposure guidelines. Research shows low-pressure beds are safest for beginners, emitting more UVB rays (similar to natural sunlight) rather than the concentrated UVA rays of high-pressure beds.

This guide covers everything you need to know before your first session—from salon selection and skin prep to bed types, safety gear, and aftercare—so you can get the best results while protecting your skin.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Start with low-pressure beds for 5-10 minutes if you’re fair-skinned, as they emit more UVB rays (safer and more similar to natural sun)
Know your skin type using the Fitzpatrick scale (Types 1-2 need extra caution; Types 5-6 can use medium/high-pressure beds)
Prepare your skin 24 hours before by exfoliating to remove dead cells and ensure an even tan
Wear tanning goggles without fail—concentrated UV rays in beds can cause permanent eye damage if unprotected
Invest in a quality tanning lotion with hydrating and accelerating ingredients to tan faster and extend results
Increase session time gradually—add only 1 minute per visit after your first session to avoid burning
Limit sessions to 2-3 times per week—your skin needs recovery time to build melanin safely
Moisturize heavily after every session to prevent premature fading and maintain skin health

Understanding Tanning Beds: The Science Behind the Results

UVA vs. UVB: Which Bed is Right for You?

Before choosing a bed, it’s important to understand the difference between the two types of UV rays tanning beds emit:

UVB rays: These rays penetrate the outer layer of skin and stimulate melanin production—the process that creates your tan. UVB is more similar to natural sunlight and is what your skin experiences outdoors. Low-pressure beds emit more UVB rays, making them safer for beginners and fairer skin types. UVB exposure causes the body to produce vitamin D, which many people lack, especially during winter months.

UVA rays: These rays penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to skin aging and damage over time. High-pressure beds emit concentrated UVA rays, which create a faster, deeper tan but carry higher risks for skin damage and premature aging. UVA rays don’t produce vitamin D and are more associated with long-term skin concerns.

Low-pressure vs. High-pressure beds:

Low-pressure: More UVB, safer, similar to natural sun, better for beginners and fair skin, requires longer sessions (10-20 minutes)
Medium-pressure: Balanced UVA/UVB, moderate results, moderate risk, 8-15 minutes typical
High-pressure: More UVA, faster results, higher aging/damage risk, best for darker skin types, 4-10 minutes typical

What to Expect: Tanning Timeline for Beginners

Session 1 (5-10 minutes): No visible tan yet. This session is building baseline melanin in your skin. You’ll feel warm and relaxed. Don’t expect color.

Sessions 2-3 (over 3-5 days): Noticeable light tan develops. You may see slight redness, which is normal. This is when results become visible and rewarding.

Sessions 4-5 (over 1-2 weeks): Tan becomes noticeably darker and more even. Melanin production is optimized. Most people achieve their desired color by session 5.

Week 3+: Deep, stable tan maintained with 1-2 sessions per week. Color becomes consistent and long-lasting.

#1 Choose the Right Salon: This Decision Matters

Not all tanning salons are created equal. Choosing the right one makes the difference between a great experience and a disappointing (or even unsafe) one.

What to Look For in a Salon

Knowledgeable staff: The staff should ask about your skin type before recommending a bed. If they tell first-time tanners that any amount of time is fine, leave immediately. Good salons educate customers and prioritize safety.

Bed quality and variety: Ask how old the beds are. Newer beds have better UV output and more even coverage. The salon should offer a choice of bed types (low, medium, high-pressure) and styles (lay-down vs. stand-up). Ask about how frequently they change tanning bed bulbs—quality salons replace them every 800-1000 hours of use.

Cleanliness: This is non-negotiable. Tanning beds can harbor bacteria and fungi if not properly cleaned between uses, leading to skin infections and rashes. The salon should spray disinfectant and wipe down the bed after each customer. Ask about their cleaning protocol.

Safety training: Staff should be trained in UV safety and able to explain eye protection, session timing, and skin type guidelines. They should never pressure you to exceed recommended times.

Online reputation: Read recent reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Look for comments about cleanliness, staff knowledge, and bed quality. A salon with consistently good reviews is worth visiting.

Questions to Ask Before Signing Up

What’s the age and maintenance schedule of your beds?
How do you clean the beds between customers?
What bed would you recommend for a fair-skinned beginner?
Do you offer loaner goggles or should I bring my own?
What’s your pricing for packages vs. single sessions?
Can I try a single session before committing to a package?

#2 Determine Your Skin Type Using the Fitzpatrick Scale

Your skin type determines how quickly you tan, how easily you burn, and which beds are safest for you. The Fitzpatrick scale categorizes skin into six types:

Type 1 (Very Fair/Pale): Always burns, never tans. Red or blond hair, blue eyes common. Celtic/Northern European ancestry.

Bed type: Low-pressure only
Starting time: 5 minutes maximum
Frequency: Every 48 hours (allow skin recovery)
Extra precautions: Extra caution recommended; consider spray tanning as an alternative

Type 2 (Fair): Usually burns, tans minimally and slowly. Light brown or dark blond hair, light eyes.

Bed type: Low-pressure preferred, medium-pressure acceptable
Starting time: 5-7 minutes
Frequency: Every 48 hours
Extra precautions: Watch carefully for burning; follow conservative time increases

Type 3 (Fair-Medium): Sometimes burns, tans gradually. Brown hair, brown eyes common. Central European, Latin, or Middle Eastern ancestry.

Bed type: Low or medium-pressure
Starting time: 7-10 minutes
Frequency: Every 48 hours initially, can progress to every 36 hours
Extra precautions: Standard beginner precautions apply

Type 4 (Medium/Olive): Rarely burns, tans easily. Dark brown hair, dark eyes. Middle Eastern, Latin, or Asian descent.

Bed type: Medium or high-pressure
Starting time: 8-12 minutes
Frequency: Every 36-48 hours
Extra precautions: Standard precautions; lower burning risk

Type 5 (Dark/Deep Brown): Very rarely burns, tans very easily and deeply. Dark hair and eyes. African, Middle Eastern, or South Asian descent.

Bed type: High-pressure suitable
Starting time: 10-15 minutes
Frequency: Can tan more frequently (every 24-36 hours)
Extra precautions: Standard eye protection; low burning risk

Type 6 (Very Dark/Black): Never burns, already deeply pigmented. Very dark hair and eyes. Sub-Saharan African, South Asian, or Pacific Islander descent.

Bed type: High-pressure beds work well; may tan minimally due to existing melanin
Starting time: 12-20 minutes
Frequency: Can tan every 24-36 hours
Extra precautions: Monitor for any unusual changes; minimal burn risk

#3 Prepare Your Skin 24 Hours Before Your Session

Proper skin prep ensures an even, longer-lasting tan and helps you avoid patchy results.

Step 1: Exfoliate

Exfoliate your skin with a gentle body scrub 24 hours before your session. Use a soft washcloth, exfoliating gloves, or a body scrub to gently remove dead skin cells and excess oils. This creates a smooth surface for even tanning.

Pro tip: Exfoliate your entire body, including areas like elbows, knees, and feet—these areas often tan unevenly because dead skin accumulates there.

Step 2: Shave (If Needed)

If you shave, do it after exfoliating but still 12-24 hours before your tanning bed session. Shaving removes a thin layer of skin, so waiting gives your skin time to recover and prevents irritation during tanning.

Step 3: Moisturize

Apply a light, fragrance-free moisturizer after your shower. Well-hydrated skin tans more evenly than dry skin. Avoid heavy lotions or oils on tanning day itself, as they create a barrier that blocks UV rays.

Step 4: Avoid These

Heavy makeup or body lotions (blocks UV)
Perfume or cologne (can irritate skin under UV)
Deodorant or antiperspirant (uneven tan and potential irritation)
Sunscreen (defeats the purpose and blocks rays)
Spray tans or self-tanners from previous days (can cause streaking)

#4 Choose Your Bed and Session Time

Selecting the Right Bed

Once you know your skin type, the salon staff should recommend an appropriate bed. Here’s the general guidance:

Fair skin (Types 1-2): Start with low-pressure beds for 5-10 minutes
Medium skin (Types 3-4): Medium-pressure beds work well for 8-12 minutes
Darker skin (Types 5-6): High-pressure beds suitable for 10-15 minutes

Layout preference: Ask if you prefer lay-down or stand-up beds. Lay-down beds are more relaxing but can cause uneven tanning in some areas (chest, upper back). Stand-up beds provide more even coverage but some people find them uncomfortable.

Starting Time: The 5-Minute Rule

If you’re fair-skinned, start with 5 minutes. If you have medium to dark skin, 7-10 minutes is reasonable. Five minutes in a low-pressure tanning bed is roughly equivalent to 30-45 minutes of midday sun exposure, depending on bed age and maintenance.

Important: Do not exceed 20 minutes in any session. Even for darker skin types, sessions longer than 20 minutes significantly increase skin damage and aging risks without additional tanning benefit.

Building Your Time Gradually

Session 1: Your starting time (5-10 minutes)

Sessions 2-4: Add 1 minute per session (so 6-7, 7-8, 8-9 minutes)

Sessions 5+: Once you reach 10-15 minutes, maintain that time or increase very slowly (by 1 minute every 2-3 sessions maximum)

Never jump from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. Gradual increases let you monitor how your skin reacts and prevent painful burns.

#5 Wear the Right Protective Gear

Tanning Goggles: Non-Negotiable

This is the most important piece of safety equipment. UV rays from tanning beds are highly concentrated and can cause immediate and permanent damage to your eyes, including cataracts and photokeratitis, if eyes are unprotected. Simply closing your eyes does NOT provide adequate protection.

Wear proper tanning goggles that block 99.99% of UV rays. Most salons provide them, but you can also buy your own for ~$5-15. No one will see you—protect your vision!

Covering Sensitive Areas

If you’re going in completely naked (for all-over tan coverage), cover your nipples and private areas with stickers or small patches. The skin in these areas is thinner and more sensitive, and getting burned there is extremely uncomfortable.

Tan Lines: Your Choice

You can wear a swimsuit or bikini if you prefer tan lines. This is purely personal preference. If you want to eliminate tan lines, wear minimal coverage or nothing. Either way, protect your eyes and sensitive areas.

#6 Choose a Quality Tanning Lotion

Why Use Tanning Lotion?

A good tanning lotion serves multiple purposes:

Hydration: Keeps skin from drying out under intense UV rays
Acceleration: Ingredients enhance UV absorption, allowing you to tan in less time
Longevity: Extends the life of your tan by keeping skin healthy and moisturized
Even coverage: Helps rays penetrate evenly across your skin

What to Look For

Hydrating ingredients: Aloe vera, glycerin, vitamin E, coconut oil

Accelerating ingredients: Tyrosine, carrot seed oil, copper, magnesium

Avoid: Heavy oils or sunscreen (blocks UV rays)

For sensitive skin: Look for fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formulas

Popular Beginner-Friendly Options

Basic hydrating lotion: Moisturizes without acceleration—good for first 2-3 sessions
Accelerator lotion: Speeds tanning—use once you’re comfortable with the process
Intensifier lotion: Maximum acceleration—best for experienced users

Many salons offer small sample sachets of different lotions. Ask to try a few before buying a full bottle to find what works for your skin.

#7 During Your Session: What to Do

Getting Started

Most tanning beds are controlled by the salon staff via a master switch. You’ll get in, close the door, and the bed will run automatically for your requested time. Some beds require you to set the timer yourself—ask the staff to demonstrate.

Staying Comfortable

Move around: Shift your position every 1-2 minutes to ensure every part of your body gets even UV exposure. Lots of beds play music, so use it as your cue to move around.

Keep goggles on: It’s safe to open your eyes while wearing tanning goggles inside the bed. Many people get nervous about this, but the goggles provide complete protection.

Relax: The warmth of the bulbs feels amazing. Use this time to de-stress and enjoy the experience.

What NOT to Do

Do NOT remove your goggles
Do NOT exceed your recommended time (even if you feel fine)
Do NOT use your phone or check the time obsessively
Do NOT compare your results to others—everyone’s skin is different

#8 After Your Session: Immediate and Long-Term Care

Immediate Aftercare (First 2 Hours)

Wait before showering: Avoid a hot shower for at least 2 hours after tanning. The heat opens pores and can cause irritation on UV-exposed skin.

Use lukewarm water: When you do shower, use lukewarm (not hot) water and a gentle, fragrance-free soap.

Pat dry gently: Don’t rub your skin with a towel—patting is gentler.

Long-Term Maintenance

Moisturize heavily and daily: This is the #1 factor in tan longevity. Apply lotion within 5 minutes of showering while skin is still damp. Use a hydrating lotion like Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel or a tan-extending lotion.

Avoid tan-killers:

Hot showers and baths (fade color)
Chlorinated pools (strip tan)
Excessive exfoliating (removes tan)
Heavy sweating (breaks down melanin)
Oil-based products (accelerate fading)

Session frequency for maintenance: Once you reach your desired tan, maintain it with 1-2 sessions per week for 10-15 minutes each. This keeps color deep and even.

Tanning Bed Safety: What You Need to Know

UV Exposure Risks

Over-exposure to concentrated UV rays can increase skin cancer risk, accelerate skin aging, and cause eye damage. This doesn’t mean you can’t use tanning beds safely—it means you must follow guidelines carefully.

Safe usage guidelines:

Never exceed 20 minutes per session
Never tan more than 3-4 times per week
Always wear UV-protective goggles
Take breaks between sessions (at least 24-48 hours apart)
Start with conservative times and increase slowly
Monitor your skin for changes

Watch for These Warning Signs

If you experience any of these, stop using the bed and see a doctor:

Red, painful burns that don’t fade within 2-3 hours
Blistering or peeling
New moles or changes to existing moles
Unusual rashes or irritation
Eye pain or vision changes

FAQ: Tanning Bed Questions for Beginners

Is it safe for beginners to use tanning beds?

Yes, if used responsibly. Following conservative session times, wearing protective gear, and limiting frequency makes tanning beds safe for beginners. The risk comes from overuse and not following guidelines.

How many sessions until I see results?

Most beginners see a light tan after 2-3 sessions and noticeable color by session 5. This assumes consistent 2-3 sessions per week with gradually increasing time.

Can I tan every day as a beginner?

No. Your skin needs 24-48 hours between sessions to build melanin safely. Tanning every day increases burn risk and skin damage without producing better results. Limit yourself to 3-4 sessions per week maximum, especially as a beginner.

Why do I look uneven after my first session?

This is normal. It takes several sessions for melanin to distribute evenly. Also, some areas (underarms, chest, back) naturally tan differently. Moving around during sessions helps, but evenness improves with repeat visits.

Should I use tan accelerators as a beginner?

Not necessarily for your first 2-3 sessions. Use a basic hydrating lotion first to understand how your skin reacts. Once you’re comfortable, try an accelerator to speed up results and reduce session time.

What if I burn?

If you get a mild burn (pink, slightly uncomfortable), wait 48 hours before your next session and use aloe vera lotion. For painful burns or blistering, see a doctor and wait at least a week before tanning again.

Can I use self-tanner between tanning bed sessions?

Yes, but wait 24 hours after your bed session. Self-tanners and spray tans can complement bed tanning, allowing you to maintain color without excessive UV exposure.

How long does a tanning bed tan last?

Typically 1-2 weeks if you don’t maintain it. With 1-2 maintenance sessions per week, you can keep color indefinitely. Your tan naturally fades as skin cells shed.

Is there a difference between tanning beds and sunbeds?

No—they’re the same thing. “Tanning bed” and “sunbed” are used interchangeably. Both refer to UV lamps that emit UVA/UVB rays to produce a tan.

Conclusion

Starting with tanning beds doesn’t have to be intimidating. By choosing a reputable salon, knowing your skin type, preparing properly, and following conservative session times, beginners can achieve beautiful, even tans while minimizing risks.

Remember: start slow (5-10 minutes), increase gradually (1 minute per session), wear eye protection without exception, and moisturize heavily after every session. Your skin will thank you with a gorgeous, lasting tan that builds over 5-10 sessions into exactly the color you want.

The difference between a great tanning experience and a disappointing one often comes down to preparation and knowledge. Use this guide, ask questions at your salon, and listen to your skin. In a few weeks, you’ll be a tanning bed pro!

REFERENCES & SOURCES

Tanning Bed Safety & Melanoma Risk:
Ting, W., et al. (2007). Archives of Dermatology. “Tanning Bed Exposure and Malignant Melanoma.” Research showing tanning bed exposure increases melanoma risk, especially in younger individuals and women.

UVB and Vitamin D Production:
Holick, M. F. (2008). New England Journal of Medicine. “Vitamin D and Skin Physiology.” Study on how UVB exposure (from sun and tanning beds) supports vitamin D synthesis in skin.

Tanning Bed Hygiene & Infections:
Russak, J. E., & Rigel, D. S. (2010). Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. “Tanning Bed Hygiene: Microbes Found on Tanning Beds Present a Potential Health Risk.” Research on bacterial and fungal infections associated with improperly cleaned tanning beds.

UV and Eye Damage:
Sasaki, H., et al. (2013). Ophthalmic Epidemiology. “Ultraviolet Light and Ocular Diseases.” Review of strong evidence linking UV exposure to photokeratitis, pterygium, and cortical cataract development.