Tanning Bed Lotion for Beginners

What to look for

Hydration first: aloe, coconut oil, shea butter and panthenol. Then tyrosine, the amino acid found in most accelerators. Then nothing else. Skip anything labeled tingle, hot, or with a high multiplier, and skip DHA until you have three or four sessions behind you and know how your skin responds.

Sachets (US: packets) are the beginner's friend. A 15 ml packet covers one full-body session for a couple of pounds, so you can try two or three formulas before you buy a bottle.

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Your first sessions

Apply lotion to clean, dry skin about 15 minutes before you get in the bed, and moisturize afterwards. Your salon sets your session length. A tan extender after the session is optional but helps the color last. Once you have a base tan, move up to a hybrid bronzer if you want to go darker.

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