Is Tanning Lotion a Good Idea?

Written by Karen Bates (last updated December 30, 2019)

Many people enjoy having tanned skin. During the hot summer months, many individuals flock to beaches and pool sides to bask in the sun's rays in hopes of getting a tanned glow on their skin. Some claim that having a tan makes you look slimmer, while others simply prefer the look of sun-kissed skin. Whatever the reason, tanning is very popular, especially during the summer.

Although there are a lot of people who tan often, it is not the safest practice. By spending time in the sun unprotected, tanners are more prone to skin cancers and other problems. One alternative that some choose is to tan indoors in a tanning bed at a salon. This allows them to tan year-round and some say that it is safer than tanning outside, although a tanner can still experience adverse effects. Indoor tanning locations feature different tanning options, including spray tans and tanning beds. These beds offer a faster tan than you would receive by being in the sun for the same amount of time.

To enhance the effects of tanning, some people choose to use tanning lotion. Tanning lotions come in different types. There are lotions that can be used for outdoor tanning and ones that are made specifically for indoor tanning beds. These lotions can help achieve a deeper, darker tan faster than with sun exposure alone, and many people prefer to use tanning lotions when they want to get a quicker tan.

But just how great is tanning lotion? Tanning lotions usually don't offer UV protection, so a tanner is still risking endangering the skin. Lotion made for tanning indoors is especially dangerous if used outdoors—this lotion has absolutely no protection from the sun, since it is formulated for tanning bed use only. However, some still use these lotions outdoors and risk developing skin problems. Of course, it can be dangerous to tan whether you are indoors or out if you don't have sun block to protect your skin. The lotion itself is not really dangerous, but the sun rays that reach your skin.

It is really up to the person using the lotion, but it is important to consider the risks and benefits of tanning. If you do decide to tan, try not to overdo it as this can cause skin and overall health problems. Having a tan may be a desirable look, but it isn't necessarily worth the health risk.

If you are interested in having tanned skin without the risk, you may want to consider other alternatives like spray tans or sunless tanning lotions. Whatever you choose, take care of your skin and do whatever you can to prevent too much sun exposure.

Author Bio

Karen Bates

An English student who enjoys writing and art, Karen has had her poetry published in her university's literary journal and has several novels in the works. ...

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