Indoor tanning lotions are popular with many people because they allow you to get a tan without exposing yourself to harmful UV rays.
However, many people wonder if they can use indoor tanning lotion outside. This is extremely important to know, as many people buy indoor tanning lotion with the idea that they can use it outside, but this is not the case.
In this blog post, we will explore why indoor tanning lotion is not safe to use outside and give some tips on how to tan safely.
What is Indoor Tanning Lotion?
Indoor tanning lotion is an aerosol-based tanning lotion that contains dihydroxyacetone or DHA. DHA is colorless when dry, but turns brown when exposed to UV light, similar to after-sun tanning lotions.
DHA has been approved by the FDA as safe for use as a tanning agent. However, it is considered a carcinogen and can cause some side effects, such as redness and irritation, if used improperly.
Few things to consider for safe use of Indoor Tanning Lotion –
- Indoor tanning lotion should never be applied before going out into the sun. Otherwise, you will burn, instead of tan, on unprotected skin.
- Tanning lotion made for indoor use should not be used on babies, children, or people with sensitive skin.
- It should not be used on open wounds or skin that is sunburned, red, or irritated.
- Indoor tanning lotion should be used sparingly on the hands, feet, ears, or any areas which may have hair.
- You should not use indoor tanning lotion on large areas of skin or on sunburned skin.
Effects of Indoor Tanning Lotion on the Skin
Indoor tanning lotion is a moisturizer that is applied to the skin before exposure to ultraviolet light. The lotion can be washed off after ultraviolet exposure, which usually takes a few minutes.
The lotion has many benefits: it helps users get an even tan, it smells great, and it’s convenient and easy to use.
However, indoor tanning lotion has drawbacks as well. The lotion can irritate the skin, which can lead to sunburn and blisters. The skin can also become dry, which can lead to cracking and peeling.
These effects can be avoided, however, if the user takes certain precautions.
Users should moisturize their skin prior to using the lotion. This will help prevent irritation from dry skin. Moisturizing on a regular basis also extends the life of the lotion. Moisturizing products can be purchased at any drugstore and used with the indoor tanning lotion.
In addition, users should avoid the tanning bed at its peak intensity. The tanning bed’s UV light is strongest when it’s turned on. It gradually weakens as the bed is used, so it’s safe to use the bed for a few minutes after it’s turned on.
Is it Safe to Use Indoor Tanning Lotion Outside?
Indoor tanning lotion is specially formulated to adjust to your skin tone. Because of this, many people prefer to use indoor tanning lotion especially while traveling since they believe that the lotion will protect their color from fading in the sun.
However, the indoor tanning lotion that you purchase from the store is not designed to be outside for an extended period of time. Because of this, the lotion will begin to fade in the sun. This fading can look unnatural, and your skin can begin to peel and itch.
Your indoor tanning lotion may also work differently in the sun. The sun’s rays are a different temperature than an indoor tanning bed. Because indoor tanning beds emit light at a consistent temperature, your indoor tanning lotion will adjust to that temperature.
However, outside the sun emits light at different temperatures, so your indoor tanning lotion can react to those temperatures instead of adjusting to them.
Another thing to consider is ventilation. Indoor tanning beds have ventilation systems to remove heat and moisture. Since your indoor tanning lotion isn’t designed for outdoor use, it will not remove the heat and moisture that are produced by the sun. This will continue to cause your skin to sweat, which can cause peeling.
Instead of applying your indoor tanning lotion outside or thinking that the lotion will protect your color, try using indoor tanning lotion to tan your skin indoors. The indoor tanning lotion will protect your skin from the harsh UV lighting in the tanning bed and will also prevent peeling.
In brief, indoor tanning lotion is designed to optimize the tanning process. It contains skin-friendly ingredients and is safe for indoor use. However, it is not safe for you to use outdoors since it contains ingredients that, if exposed to sunlight, can cause a severe skin reaction and burns.
For this reason, you should not use indoor tanning lotion for tanning outdoors.
Conclusion
In brief, the best way to tan safely is to go to a salon and buy a professional indoor tanning lotion. For safety’s sake, you should never use indoor tanning lotion outside. I hope that this post has been informative and has helped you understand why you should stick to indoor tanning lotion for indoor tanning.
