Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it smart to tan everyday?
A: No, it is recommended that a person should not tan more than once every other day. Some of the large
"chain" salons and the small "discount" salons use their bulbs for 900 to 1500 hours to maximize
profitability. This causes up to an 80% loss of UV tanning power, forcing you to tan every day. Catch A Ray
Tanning Company's policy is to change tanning bulbs at 450 hours on each tanning bed to insure that you
receive the "ULTIMATE TAN" in less time. The type and newness of the tanning bulbs is your most important
consideration, not the type of bed. At Catch A Ray Tanning Company, we use only the
highest quality bulbs and change them on a strict schedule.
Q: Will showering right after tanning wash my tan away?
A: It is normal for a tan produced by UV light exposure to take 24 to 48 hours to develop. Because it
interacts with the subsurface layers of the skin it will not wash off if you shower right after
tanning.
(Note: This does not apply to spray tanning which requires that you wait at least 5 hours before showering
so the tanning solution can fully react with the upper layer of your skin)
Q: Is it necessary to burn first in order to tan?
A: No, a sunburn never fades into a tan. Sunburn is caused by overexposure to UV light. It damages and
inflames the skin, as shown by its redness and painful sensitivity, leaving it dry, chapped, even blistered
and visually unappealing. Sunburn can lead to premature aging of the skin and possibly to skin cancer.
Tanning outdoors should always be done in moderation using an appropriate sunscreen to prevent overexposure
to the sun's UV rays. When tanning indoors use the exposure times recommend for your skin type.
Q: Can tanning injure or "bake" internal organs? Could this account for the
strange odors sometimes associated with tanning?
A: The UV light from a tanning bed is similar to the UV light from the sun. It is not capable of penetrating
beyond the skin so it cannot harm any internal organs. What is commonly known as "after tan odor" can occur
after either indoor or outdoor tanning. It is caused by harmless bacteria that are present on the skin of
many people. Tanning lotions often contain the Biosaccharide Complex to help prevent the after tan odor.
Q: Is indoor tanning more harmful than outdoor tanning because the UV light
exposure is more intense?
A: Indoor tanning exposes you to a calibrated dose of UV light. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has
created exposure guidelines that are posted in the salon. Tanning beds are designed to maximize tanning
while minimizing burning. On the other hand, outdoor tanning takes place in an unregulated environment.
You must take into account many factors when you tan outdoors, including such things as where you live,
the season, time of day, weather conditions and the ozone layer. When tanning outdoors remember to protect
yourself by wearing appropriate levels of SPF sunscreen, even if you already have a tan. Remember, even
with sunscreen protection, overexposure to UV light can still cause skin cancer and premature aging of the
skin, even if you don't burn!
Q: Is it possible to get a sexually transmitted disease, such as AIDS from a
tanning bed?
A: According to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it is physically impossible for
this to happen. Neither the AIDS virus, nor other viral diseases can live outside of the body. Thus, even
though people usually tan nude (in order to prevent tan lines), and may sweat profusely while tanning,
AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases cannot be transmitted from person to person via a tanning bed.
In addition, state law requires tanning salon operators to clean the acrylic liner of the tanning bed
with a disinfecting cleaner between each use.
Q: Are tanning salons irresponsible for promoting indoor tanning?
A: Public debate on indoor tanning has lost its perspective through the efforts of special interest. In
reality, the body needs sunlight. Sunlight is the single most important source of Vitamin D. It is also
well known that sunlight promotes mental health and a positive outlook on life in general. Serious diseases,
such as rickets and depression, can be caused by insufficient exposure to sunlight. In today's hectic and
largely indoor lifestyle, indoor tanning provides an efficient way to get the positive benefits of
sunlight without the dangers of overexposure. Here are some often overlooked facts:
- The professional tanning industry promotes the rule of smart tanning. Never sunburn!
- People who do not tan indoors are more likely to sunburn than those who do.
- A base tan, obtained by indoor tanning, together with the proper use of sunscreen, enables many people to enjoy vacations in sunny locations without burning.
- The skin is designed to tan as a normal bodily function and tanning is the body's natural defense against sunburn.
Q: Does indoor tanning cause skin cancer?
A: UVA and UVB exposure in a controlled environment can help play a role in preventing several kinds of
cancer, including breast and colon cancers. Controlled UV exposure reduces the risk of sunburn which lowers
the risk of malignant melanomas.