Whether you are trying indoor tanning for the first time to get ready for a vacation or to keep your summer tan all year long, there are rules that should be followed. These rules are necessary for your safety as well as for your health. Many people visit tanning salons thinking that they do not present the same health risks as tanning in the sun. While the risks are less, they are still there.

The traditional tanning salon depends upon the use of a tanning bed to produce a tan for a customer. This process is known to expose the body to the harmful UVA rays and can cause skin cancer. If you are going to use this method of indoor tanning, use a lotion with an SPF of not less than 8, but not more than 15.

Because of the dangers of traditional indoor tanning, and the fact that people still want to maintain a tan throughout the winter, the industry has invented some answers. Sunless tanning booths and sunless tanning products are the most popular choices with consumers. They are safe, look good and are easily applied.

Sunless tanning booths operate by literally spraying a mist that contains DHA to create the illusion of a tan. DHA is the same color additive that is used in cosmetics, it covers the body in a color-in this case a varying degree of tan. This type of tanning has had drawbacks when applying color to the feet and hands of a person, these issues have been addressed and are not a concern in most tanning salons.

A spray on tan does not last long, approximately 3-5 days. For this reason, the tanning industry has developed a number of systems that allow you to perform this procedure in the comfort of your home. These systems can be found in local stores and salons as well as in catalogues and online.

Sunless tanning lotions first made their appearance on the market some time ago. Everyone knows the reputation that these products had for leaving the skin orange instead of tan. These early products turned many consumers off to this alternative to sun tanning. Thankfully, the industry has been working on this particular problem and has solved it for most people. Be careful, however, the cheaper lotions may still turn skin orange.

Sunless tanning lotions work in much the same way as the spray tanners. They coat the skin with a DHA coloring. The biggest difference is that it is applied by hand and at home. It is important to carefully follow all of the instructions for use that are printed on the package. This very important step will help you avoid elbows, feet and hands that appear darker than the rest of your body. This type of a tan lasts about the same as the airbrush solution, about 3-5 days. However, by applying a layer or two everyday, you can build upon the tan that you are creating. Therefore, you are able to control how deep the color of the tan becomes.

Indoor tanning is becoming a safer alternative to lying in the sun. As the population learns more about the dangers of the sun, they are looking for their tan from safer methods.