Tanning Bed Tips to Tan the Arms and Legs

Most people love the way they look with a tan, whether it's deep and dark or just a sun-kissed glow. If you don't have the time to lie outside in the summer sun or you want that tanned look during the winter, consider spending a few minutes in a tanning bed every week. You may opt to tan just your arms and legs if you don't plan on wearing a bikini or having your stomach show. Does this Spark an idea?

Preparation

Shower, exfoliate and moisturize before heading to the tanning salon. Exfoliating will remove any dead skin cells and allow your skin to tan faster. You shouldn't have perfume, deodorant or scented products on your skin. These may cause a rash when they mix with the heat from the tanning bed and your sweat. Apply tanning lotion to your arms and legs before getting into the tanning bed. Tanning lotions are designed to protect your skin from drying while helping you to get a deep tan quickly.

Time

Set a time limit that's long enough to tan but not long enough to burn. If your skin burns quickly when you're in the natural sun, you'll also burn when you're in a tanning bed. If you're new to tanning, start off with a short five minutes. If you're not prone to burning, you can start off at six or seven minutes. Gradually increase the length of time each time you visit the tanning salon.

Coverage

Cover the skin that you don't want to tan. If you're aiming just to tan your arms and legs, wear a one-piece bathing suit or wrap a towel around your torso as you tan. You may want to protect your face too --- you can put a hat or towel over your face as you tan. At the very least, make sure that your private areas are covered. The skin in these areas is extremely sensitive and can burn quickly.

Warnings

There are health risks that come along with using a tanning bed. If you're pregnant or on prescription drugs, you should consult a doctor before tanning indoors. Wear goggles while tanning to prevent damage to your eyes. If possible, bring your own goggles so you know that they're clean.