by: Jan Thomsen

You have used the tanning bed before. You enjoyed the experience. And of course, you like the tan. But, when you used the tanning bed again, you ended up having sore and burned skin. You have acquired a side effect called "tanning bed burns". You are not the only who has experienced this. Some tanning bed burns make the skin feel tender but the pain is tolerable. But some tanning bed burns hurt so much that these are barely bearable. Worse, tanning bed burns can permanently damage the skin.

There are two common causes why tanning bed burns occur. First, the user of the tanning bed was not using enough protection against the ultraviolet radiation. And second, the user has been overexposed to the UV rays.

To avoid the pain of tanning bed burns, a person must use tanning lotions, preferably, the best ones on the market. A good tanning lotion stimulates the skin to produce more melanin. With more melanin pigments produced, a person need not stay longer in the tanning bed. In effect, the tanning lotion allows a person to cut-off the time that he is exposed to the ultraviolet radiation.

Most tanning lotions also have moisturizers. Moisturizers supply the oils needed by the skin to maintain its elasticity and youthful look. Thus, tanning lotions actually helps a person obtain a vibrant and healthy tan, instead of a leathered tired look.

Aside from using tanning lotions, a person must also use goggles. The goggles will protect the eyes and prevent tanning bed burns in the eyelids. The goggles are specially designed to give 100% protection against ultraviolet radiation.

Another way of avoiding tanning bed burns is to avoid overexposure. Obviously, when a person stays too long in the tanning bed, he is exposed to greater doses of ultraviolet radiation. This increases the risk of getting burns. A person should also be cautious in using tanning beds. For example, if you are using the tanning bed for the first time, stay in it for a few minutes only. Then, you may add several more minutes the second time you use it. On the third, you may stay in the tanning bed for the maximum recommended time, which is twenty minutes.

Burns occur when the person using the tanning bed ignores safety warnings and precautions. And since burns can damage the skin for good, medical attention should be sought. Doctors or dermatologist know how to help the skin recover from such burns. Tanning bed burns should not be shrugged off as a normal effect of indoor tanning.