In the health-centric world that we live in today, it is no secret that tanning has been found to be unhealthy, but how unhealthy is tanning really? It may have negative side effects, but what doesn’t? Tanning can be very beneficial if used in the correct ways, and here are some of the best tips for getting your tan on.

1. Eye wear is important, people

Covering your face with a towel isn’t enough people! Fun fact: Covering your face with a towel in a tanning bed deflects only 5 percent of the UV rays reaching your face. The rest of the rays are still coming into contact with your facial skin and eyes. It is a state law in Arkansas that all tanners use eye wear. If you don’t, you put your eyesight at risk! Let’s not do that. Let’s keep our beautiful eyes!

2. Follow time schedules and DO NOT burn yourself on purpose

Tanning is great and has many benefits, but you aren’t going to receive any of those benefits if you don’t tan smart. If you haven’t tanned in a while, always start at about six minutes. If you turn pink, wait a day or two and then try again, but don’t increase your time. If you are fine with six minutes, increase your time by intervals of two minutes each day. This will help your skin become acclimated to the UV exposure.

A lot of people think that burning themselves is a great way to get their tan quick and easy because their skin “bronzes” afterwards. On the contrary, you are destroying your skin. UV exposure speeds up your melanin production. Melanin is what tans your skin, and if melanin production gets too fast, you burn and the cells are destroyed. Thus, you are destroying all of the melanin that you are producing in your skin AND your tan! Don’t waste your hard work! You won’t regret it.

3. Use some sort of lotion - please

At many indoor tanning salons, tanning lotions are sold. If you tan, you need to buy a lotion. Tanning without a lotion is the best way to turn your wonderful skin into leather. Tanning takes so much out of your skin, and if you don’t use a lotion, you’re not putting anything back into your skin.

Now, I know you’re probably thinking that tanning lotions are way too expensive to purchase, but don’t look at lotions as just lotions. Instead, look at them like technology. We buy technology to enhance our lives and make them better. Tanning lotions are the same way, but they actually help an organ on your body instead. Lotions also help make your tan 10 times better. You may spend a pretty penny, but dropping some money on technology to keep your skin healthy and tan is a better investment than an iPhone.

4. Some types of skin just aren’t meant for tanning

Of course, there are always those unfortunate souls who just cannot tan no matter what they do. Two minutes in a tanning bed, and they are french fries. It’s just how the world is, but do not fear! If you are one of these helpless souls, surprise! You aren’t a lost cause. Sunless tanning is a very healthy alternative to sunbed tanning, and you get dark almost instantly.

Now let me debunk one myth about spray tans: Not all spray tans will turn you orange. I pinky promise you that you will be fine! If you turn orange, it’s possibly a protein reacting spray and your skin has too much protein. The other possibility is that the spray just isn’t high enough quality. In fact, most salons now use high quality mists that either go on brown or go on clear and will turn brown later.

It’s not as scary as you think either. If you use a booth, I promise the booth will not eat you. If someone sprays you, make sure they have some sort of certification or experience in giving spray tans. It’s also not that awkward. I promise. Just make sure to shower and exfoliate before you get your spray on!

5. Always listen to your salon workers

At many tanning salons (unfortunately not all), the workers have to be Smart Tan Certified. This means that the workers literally learned everything about tanning: from the biology of tanning to the mechanics of the beds. We know what we are doing and talking about, and we won’t let you go wrong. Listen to us, and we will help you get the best tan for you. It may be our job, but it’s also a duty to keep our customers healthy.