Q. Is it good to tan everyday? 
A. Your skin needs a break. The tanning process depletes the skin of moisture. A day off from tanning allows the skin to rejuvenate and process the exposure from the UVA and UVB rays. Tan every other day and no more than three times a week to develop a healthier looking tan. Also, to help prolong the life of your tan, make sure to keep your skin moisturized with a high quality lotion.

Q. Will burning first allow a faster, darker, and overall better tan?
A. Burning causes damage to the surface layers of the skin. The redness, which comes from little blood vessels that have burst, indicates over-exposure. You can achieve a healthier-looking tan with a less intense tanning schedule.

Q. Is indoor tanning the same as tanning outside in the sun?  
A. Your skin produces a tan the same way it does when you lay out in the sun as it does in an indoor tanning facility. Indoor tanning allows you to control the amount of UV light you are exposed to.

Q. If I never can get a tan outside because I burn, can I get a tan indoors? 
A. If it takes you a while to get a tan outside, it may be easier for you to get the color you want by tanning indoors. You should start with a short exposure time and increase it very gradually. A Casa del Sol tanning consultant will help you determine the best exposure time for your skin type. However, if you NEVER tan from the sun, you will not tan from tanning lamps.

Q. Will I burn?
A. Burning is the enemy. Tanning is your skin's natural defense mechanism and protection against burning. Burning leads to photodamaged cells, premature aging, sun-spots, drying, flaking and peeling of the skin, and should be avoided at all costs. At Casa del Sol you can tan without burning. Moderation is the key and is enforced.

Q. Can anybody tan?
A. Certain skin types cannot tan, but anybody can get a beautiful golden-tan look with our UV-Free tanning process. Our tanning professionals can help you determine the type of tanning best suited to your skin type. The six basic skin types are shown below:

Skin type 1: Always burns, never tans
Skin type 2: Burns easily, tans slightly
Skin type 3: Sometimes burns, tans gradually
Skin type 4: Burns minimally, always tans well
Skin type 5: Burns rarely, tans deeply
Skin type 6: Almost never burns, deeply pigmented

Q. May pregnant women tan indoors?
A. Ultraviolet radiation from tanning equipment does not affect tissues below the surface of the skin, including a developing, unborn baby. Medical professionals do not know how pregnancy is affected by the heat generated by tanning equipment so we do allow pregnant women to tan with a written permission from a doctor but advise that they should try to tan in the early morning when the beds are not yet hot. 

Q. What are the differences between types of beds?  
A. Bulb intensity, percentage of the different types of rays, and the recommended exposure schedule are the main differences between different types of beds. Your Casa del Sol  tanning consultant can explain the specific beds in more detail.

Q. How do tanning beds work?
A. Tanning beds act like the sun. The sun emits three kinds of UV rays. UV-C has the shortest wavelength and is also the most harmful. The sun emits UV-C light but it is absorbed by the ozone layer and pollution. Tanning lamps filter out this type of UV light.

UV-B, the middle wavelength, stimulates the melanocyte cells that produce melanin for several hours after exposure. These will later be bronzed by subsequent exposure to UV-A making the brown that we call a "tan". Overexposure will cause sunburn.

UV-A, the longest wavelength, oxidizes the melanin and produces the tan.

Q. How often do you change the bulbs in each bed?
A. We follow the manufacturer's guidelines for bulb replacement so that you will achieve the best results from your sessions. We typically change our bulbs when they have reached 80% of their capacity so your tan doesn't suffer from weaker UV rays.

Q. Does tanning lotion really work?
A. Yes! Tanning depletes the skin of moisture, vitamins, and minerals. Indoor tanning lotions contain nutrients to help replenish the skin and helps keep your skin healthy. Healthy skin tans faster, darker, and retains a tan longer. Dry, neglected skin reflects UV light and exfoliates much faster

In order to get the best possible tanning results your skin needs to be moist when you tan. Using a high quality tanning lotion will do this. Good lotions and moisturizers replenish necessary nutrition to skin cells, promoting cell regeneration and oxygenation. Oxygen fuels skin cell functions, thereby accelerating the tanning process.

Q. How long does it take to get tan?
A. You will see results with your very first session. It takes 3 or 4 sessions. We recommend the use of a quality lotion to increase your tanning potential and keep your skin feeling healthy and soft. The sessions should be used within a 10-day time period for optimum results. 

Q. How long can I stay in the tanning bed the 1st time?
A. This depends on your skin tone. We will have you fill out a skin type analysis to determine your individual skin type. Based on which category you fall into, we will regulate your tan time. Most people are a skin type 3, and will tan about 8-10 minutes their first time.

Q. How quickly can I increase my tanning sessions after my first time?
A. If you do well your first time in the tanning bed and do not experience any redness, you may move up 2-3 minutes each time thereafter until you reach the maximum tan time for that particular bed.

Q. Which beds can I tan in my first time?
A. We recommend first time tanners to Casa del Sol to use a 20 minute bed. Based on your skin type analysis, we will determine your initial tan time. After you have achieved maximum tan time in the 20 minute bed, you can switch over to our 12 minute Mega beds.

Q. Why do I need to wear eye protection?
A. Eye protection is required by law.The eyelid does not effectively block ultraviolet light while tanning. Therefore the use of approved eye protection is required to insure that our customers do not suffer ill effects such as cataracts or night blindness.

Q. What is a photosensitizing medication?
A. photosensitizing medication is a medication that when taken could cause your skin to become highly sensitive to UV light. Therefore if you are taking any prescription medications please ask your doctor if it is safe for you to continue tanning.

Q. What should I wear when I tan?
A. Tanning attire is entirely up to the client. The potential danger of tanning nude is ultraviolet overexposure-such as sunburn-of sensitive body parts that are not normally exposed to ultraviolet light. It is recommended that sensitive body parts be gradually exposed to prevent overexposure.

Q. Why should I tan?
A. Years and years of ongoing research have proven one thing very conclusively: Sunshine is the source of all life and energy on our planet. The risks involved with tanning are easily minimized by following the Golden Rule of Smart Tanning: Don't Ever Sunburn. The health benefits include but are not limited to: production of Vitamin D, decreased risks of breast and colon cancer, and reduced risk of sunburn. The psychological benefits of tanning are also well researched. Sunlight deprivation has been linked to some mental disorders. There are numerous reasons, physical and psychological, why exposure to ultraviolet light is desirable.

Q. What are the potential health benefits of tanning?
A. UV light is the main source of Vitamin D for humans. UV light causes the skin to create pre-vitamin D, which, in turn make Vitamin D that is necessary for good health, bone formation and repair, and the absorption of calcium and phosphorous in the body. The presence of Vitamin D in the body can decrease the risks of developing breast and colon cancers. Tanning also provides natural protection from sunburn. Melanin (tanning pigment) helps the skin absorb ultraviolet rays without causing damage to surrounding cells, thereby offering protection from sunburn.

Q. Why does a tan disappear?
A. The tan, or pigmentation process, occurs in the epidermis, the top layer of the skin. Everyone's skin naturally exfoliates every 28-30 days.

Q. How often is a person allowed to tan?
A. The Food and Drug Administration suggests that a 48 hour time period should pass between tanning sessions. Pigmentation and/or sunburn may not be fully visible for between 12-24 hours. Thus, two tanning sessions within a 24 hour period could cause an unintentional burn. In general, following the recommended exposure schedule and the recommendation of your tanning consultant will provide the best results.

Q. Can the UV rays emitted by indoor tanning lamps pass through the skin and affect internal organs?
A. Although this is a popular myth, ultraviolet light waves cannot penetrate so deeply to affect the body's tissues and organs. Ultraviolet rays are not the same as X-rays or heat rays and, therefore, have different effects on the body. Overexposure will result in sunburn, but will not affect internal organs.

Q. Is it harmful to wear contact lenses when tanning indoors?
A. It is not advised to wear contact lenses while tanning. Although wearing the provided protective eyewear will protect your eyes from ultraviolet light, the heat generated could cause drying and discomfort.

Q. Why do some dermatologists warn people against sun exposure?
A. While some dermatologists may advocate total avoidance of UV exposure, the media seems to quote only those who do. Many dermatologists and others from the medical community have acknowledged the need for moderate sun exposure, while advocating the use of sunscreens.

Q. Why do some people itch after tanning?
A. Itching and/or rashes may be linked to several unrelated causes, so it is important to obtain a tanning history on each customer. Some people are naturally photosensitive upon exposure to ultraviolet light. Others are susceptible to heat rashes, a cause totally unrelated to the UV exposure. Certain chemicals or ingredients found in cosmetics, lotions, shampoo, and even disinfecting agents may cause itching as well. Rashes caused by these products generally occur in localized areas on which the products were applied. It is advised to tan with the skin as clean as possible and to only use products approved or suggested by your tanning consultant. If discontinued use of a suspected product does not inhibit the problem, a person should discontinue any exposure to UV light until the condition subsides or visit a physician.

Q. What causes white spots?
A. Tinea Versicolor, a skin condition that affects tanners, is caused by a microscopic fungus from the scalp. This fungus falls onto arms, shoulders, and other body parts and leaves bleached areas on the skin, which can spread. It is treatable and must be protected from further ultraviolet light exposure until those bleached areas have begun developing melanin again.

Q. Can indoor tanning cure acne?
A. Phototherapy (use of UV light) has been effective in easing the skin problems common to this condition. There are also many drugs, including tetracycline and Retin-A, which are also widely used for the treatment of acne. Because these drugs can render the skin photosensitive, one must avoid UV exposure when medicated. Furthermore, the use of UV light for acne treatment should only be administered by a qualified physician. The Food and Drug Administration prohibits indoor tanning equipment operators from asserting that equipment use is beneficial for any purpose other than obtaining cosmetic coloring.

Q. Does tanning cause melanoma?
A. There is no conclusive evidence which substantiates that malignant melanoma is caused by gradual, moderate UV exposure. However, those who are predisposed to develop melanoma due to hereditary factors may intensify this condition with exposure to indoor or outdoor UV light. While some studies have suggested a link between severe sunburn and malignant melanoma, there are other studies available that prove an inverse relationship. In a study published in the International Journal of Cancer in 1989 (known as the Western Canada Melanoma Study), Canadian researchers found a significant inverse association between melanoma and chronic or long-term occupational sun exposure in men, with the lowest risk in those with maximum occupational exposure. This may suggest that repeated exposure can be protective. Gradual, moderate exposure is not believed to be a strong influential factor as melanoma generally develops on those areas not normally exposed to UV light.

Q. Is it possible to contract AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases from indoor tanning equipment?
A. People cannot contract diseases from properly sanitized, well maintained tanning beds. Disease specialists have said that no evidence exists to prove that sanitized tanning units have spread diseases.

Q. How do I know the beds are clean?
A. We use FDA-approved cleaning solutions after every customer's tanning session. The solution is tested daily to ensure proper sanitizing properties exist.

Q. Does tanning help treat depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder?
A. There exists, a growing body of scientific evidence which indicates that some people actually require more light exposure in order to function properly. Exposure to bright light, such as that emitted by the mid-day summer sun, causes the brain to suppress the release of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin acts as a depressant in the body if generated during the daytime. Thus, when affected people are exposed to longer hours of bright light, they feel happier, euphoric and more able to enjoy life. Bright light sources emitting only visible light are now frequently used to successfully treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Sub-syndrome Seasonal Affective Disorder (SSAD).

Q. Can indoor tanning equipment be used to treat skin disorders such as psoriasis?
A. The F.D.A. and Federal Trade Commission forbid making representations regarding the benefits of indoor tanning other than it's cosmetic effect. Therefore, one may not make medical claims about indoor tanning equipment. However, phototherapy (U.V. light treatment) can be used to ease the symptoms of psoriasis. The treatment is rendered by a trained physician with equipment specifically designed for such a purpose.

Q. Can tanning cause wrinkles?
A. Excessive exposure can destroy the resilient fibers of the lower skin layer, thereby causing the top layer of skin to sag. Thus, elastosis or wrinkling appears. If UV light is not blocked by pigmentation in the outer skin layer, it can penetrate to the dermis and destroy skin elasticity. Thus, it is advised to avoid overexposure to ultraviolet light.

Q. Can I just use a regular moisturizer or a tanning lotion purchased from a drugstore?
A. You may use a regular moisturizer when your tanning session is over. However, we recommend our lines of indoor tanning moisturizers and lotions over any drugstore bought brands. Our lines offer many minerals and nutrients that are key in developing and maintaining healthy skin while indoor tanning. Designer Skin, Australian Gold, California Tan, and Swedish Beauty accelerators and moisturizers are sold in our salon and have many beneficial ingredients such as: Co-Enzyme Q-10, hemp seed oil, encapsulated Vitamin C, bronzing agents, aloe vera, etc. that may not be present in traditional store bought brands.

Q. What is TINGLE?
A. An ingredient called Benzyl or Methyl Nicotinate, which increases the microcirculation in the epidermis so that more oxygen gets to your skin. The more oxygen your skin gets, the darker you will get.

Q. What does HEMP do?
A. It is an oil that makes your skin very moisturized, helping to intensify the amount of UV absorbed by your skin. It is THC free and will not affect drug testing.

Q. Will using a tanning lotion increase my chance of burning?
A. No, because tanning indoors is a controlled environment, your professional and knowledgeable Casa del Sol staff will not expose you longer than the recommended time for your skin type. Using an indoor tanning lotion will help you to tan faster, tan darker, and stay tanned longer.

Q. What makes an accelerator tan you faster?
A. The indoor tanning lotions that we offer contain high quality ingredients such as vitamins and nutrients that are needed for healthy skin, and healthy skin tans faster, and stays tan longer.

Q. Would an accelerator benefit my skin & tanning experience?
A. YES, everyone who tans indoors should use an accelerator. Dry skin repels 50% of the UV rays, using an accelerator helps you to absorb more UV light. We offer a variety of lotions. Check with your Casa del Sol  staff for the lotion that's right for you.

Q. Do the indoor lotions that you offer contain SPF's?
A. No, the indoor tanning environment is controlled while in the tanning units, so the only need for a SPF is on your lips. We do offer an outdoor SPF line for protection while you are outdoors.

Q. How much does a tanning accelerator cost?
A. That depends on the type of lotion that you choose. We offer a variety of products that fit anyone's budget.

Q. What can I do to help my tan last longer?
A. MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE, MOISTURIZE. Using a high quality moisturizer will help replenish the vitamins and nutrients that are lost during the tanning session, keeping your skin smooth and younger looking while helping you maintain that deep dark tan you love. Remember properly moisturized skin TANS FASTER, TANS DARKER, and STAYS TANNED LONGER!!!