In this blog post, we will delve into the vital aspect of what to wear to a tanning salon. The choice of attire can significantly influence the quality of your tan, comfort during the session, and even your skin’s health, making it a pertinent topic to explore.

Understanding the Different Types of Tanning Salons

A tanning salon is essentially a facility that offers various types of indoor tanning equipment and services to help you achieve that desired sun-kissed glow. It provides a controlled environment where exposure to UV rays can be regulated, thus, supposedly lessening potential harm. Let’s look at the primary kinds of tanning salons and understand their unique aspects to guide your clothing choices.

  • Sunbeds: Sunbeds or tanning beds are essentially low-pressure UV devices that help you lie down comfortably while developing your tan. The intensity and exposure can usually be controlled depending on your skin type and tanning objectives. They often require little clothing, with most people opting for swimsuits or undergarments to avoid tan lines.
  • Spray Tan Booths: These are basically booths where an automated system sprays a solution on your body that reacts with your skin’s surface to develop a tan. No UV rays are involved in this process. The choice of clothing would typically depend on the tan lines you’d like to have as the solution will only tan exposed skin areas.
  • Stand-Up Tanning Booths: These systems use high-pressure lamps for a quick and effective tan while you stand up. The added space provides a more even tan, with less chance of pressure points or creases. Wear minimal clothing like a bathing suit or underwear for an even, full-body tan.

The type of tanning salon you opt for largely comes down to your personal preferences, time constraints, and desired results. Tanning bed can give a long-lasting tan, but the process is relatively slow. Spray tan booths offer a quick and UV-free alternative, whereas stand-up tanning booths offer a quick, even tan. Your choice will influence the clothing you should wear, as showing more skin usually leads to a more comprehensive and even tan. However, it’s essential to balance this aspect with your level of comfort.

What to Wear to a Sunbed Appointment

When going for a sunbed appointment, your clothing matters greatly. You’ll need something that will allow the maximum exposure of skin to the UV light but at the same time ensure your comfortability is not compromised. The clothing you select to wear to a sunbed salon can significantly impact your tanning experience. It’s critical to wear clothing that will expose as much skin as possible, as this will maximise the efficacy of the UV light.

Suggested Clothing for Women

For women, we suggest bikinis or other forms of swimwear because they allow for maximum skin exposure. Some women opt to tan topless or naked to avoid any tan lines but always ensure you go for what you’re comfortable with.

Suggested Clothing for Men

For men, swimming trunks or shorts are suggested. As with the women, some men prefer to tan nude to avoid tan lines, but always go with what you’re most comfortable in.

Protecting Your Skin

Remember to always protect sensitive areas of your skin; use appropriate eyewear and cover areas that are typically not exposed to the sun.

Taking Care of Your Face During Tanning

Your face, being delicate and mostly exposed, needs special reach during tanning. When it comes to your facial skin, sunbeds can be excessively harsh, meaning you need to take extra measures to protect it. This involves wearing a special face mask designed to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. In addition, don’t forget the essentiality of eye protection – it’s crucial to use goggles to shield your eyes from potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation during the tanning process.

Preparing for Your Tanning Session

It’s essential to understand a few skin preparation and hygiene steps to ensure you get the best results from your tanning session. Proper hygiene and preparation of your skin can significantly affect the results of your tanning session. It enhances the effectiveness of the tanning bed and helps you to achieve a smooth, even tan.

Taking a shower before your tanning session helps to remove dirt, oils, and makeup from your skin that could potentially block the UV rays. Avoid applying lotions, creams, and perfumes before your session. These products can create a barrier on your skin, making it harder for your skin to absorb the UV rays.

What to Wear After a Spray Tan

What to wear after a spray tanning session is crucial in maintaining your new tan and ensuring it develops well.

Immediately after your appointment, you should opt to wear loose, comfortable clothing to avoid rubbing off your new tan. Choose breathable fabrics such as cotton or silk. These fabrics will help your skin to breathe and speed up the development of your tan.

Avoid wearing tight clothing, leather, and non-breathable fabrics that might rub on your skin and affect your fresh tan. Also, stay away from light-colored clothing that can easily get stained by any residue.

Tanning Salon Etiquette

Tanning salons not only provide you a way to get that glowing tan, but they also have rules to maintain a harmonious environment for everyone. It begins by respecting the tanning bed timings to keep the operation smooth and waiting times short for all guests. Secondly, maintaining hygiene, cleanliness, and sanitation in the salon ensures a pleasant experience for everyone. Last but not least, respecting others’ privacy is an unwritten rule, whether you’re in the waiting room or using a tanning bed.


Knowing what to wear to a tanning salon and understanding the etiquette can go a long distance in ensuring a pleasant tanning experience. It protects you from potential health risks while enjoying the benefits of a glowing, sun-kissed look. Now that you possess all the essential information, it’s time to go-ahead to the tanning salon with confidence.

Remember, we love to hear from our readers! Please feel free to drop a comment about your tanning salon experiences or any other tips you might have for first-time tanners.

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