For many years tanning beds were an easy and quick way to get a tan in the middle of winter or when preparing for a tropical getaway. Today, when doctors claim that tanning beds are as dangerous as the sun itself and can cause skin cancer and premature aging, more and more people stay away from tanning beds. However, there are certain benefits from using a tanning bed, especially when protecting the skin with the proper tanning bed lotion.

Tanning bed lotions are used to moisturize the skin and infuse it with antioxidants that diminish and prevent the damage from UVA and UVB rays.

There are also tanning bed lotions that intensify the tanning process. These lotions contain methyl nicotinate that instantly penetrates and activate your melanin cells for a deeper color. Tan activating tanning lotions can also create a warming tingling sensation on the skin to increase the blood flow to the skin surface and speed up the tan. These tanning lotions moisturize the skin with essential oils and skin nourishing vitamins so that your skin looks bronzed and glowing.

Some tanning bed lotions employ another principle: they cool down the skin with mint and cucumber to prevent burns. Even though tanning bed lotions do not shield from the burn that can lead to the skin cancer, they can make it less heat-sensitive. No tanning bed lotions can deal with photosensitivity, which can be caused by medications you are currently taking.

There are special tanning bed lotions for use around eyes. You should always protect your eyes with special goggles that either clip on your nose or are secured with the ribbon. To further protect the fragile skin around your eyes from UVA/UVB damage, you can use tanning bed lotions with anti-oxidants such as grapefruit extract, vitamin E and even caviar proteins.

After-tan lotions are used to cool down and firm the skin, since too much UVA/UVB exposure can disrupt elastin fibers in the skin leading to wrinkles and sagging. Special herbs, essential oils, vitamins and amino acids in these tanning bed lotions form an invisible nourishing cocoon on the skin surface while repairing and preventing further dehydration. Many people prefer to nourish their after-tan skin with simple extra-virgin olive oil which has excellent anti-aging properties.

Even when you use great multi-purpose tanning bed lotions, make sure you still wear a swimsuit or underwear when tanning. If you want to avoid having those tan lines (which is currently very in fashion, implying that you tan naturally on the tropical beach), wear a bandeau-style bra and thongs to prevent the UVA/UVB rays from hitting the areas that are not accustomed to tanning.

Our indoor lifestyles and sunscreens diminish vitamin D production because the body gets vitamin D from UV light and not from foods. Vitamin D can also be derived from indoor tanning beds. Use a common sense and tan wisely and in moderation, and you will look gorgeous and healthy.