When using tanning beds properly it will give you a natural look to your wintry pale skin. When exposed to UVB rays it will stimulate and produce skin pigment called is melanin which makes your skin turn dark. Any type of exposure to UVB rays is not good; if you are exposed for any amount of time you will need to have some type of protection. If you have a family history of skin cancer, its all the more reason to take extra cautions. Some older tanning beds use the older style of lamps, these lamps emit UV A rays which is not good for your skin. UV A radiation has been reported to cause skin cancer and other diseases of the skin. It has been reported that skin cancer is on the rise, with the ozone depleting and the popularity of tanning beds.

Today, devices that emit a combination of UVA and UVB are predominantly used. If you expose your skin to UV rays many different types of complications can occur, you could get skin rashes, skin will age you might get skin cancer. Exposure to UVB can cause skin burning; the best protection against this is to cover up your skin. 99% of the sun's UV radiation at sea level is UVA. The UV that is dangerous to your skin is the UVB; this is the rays that can cause aging, blotches, wrinkles and even cancer. It is the UVA and UVB rays that are the most harmful to our skin. UVB is easier to protect against than UVA, but both cause very real damage.

When exposing your skin to UV rays it is very possible it will cause premature spots, blemishes, aging and maybe skin cancer. Using a bit of precaution such as purchasing a good tanning lotion or attending one of your local sunless tanning salons is a good first step to protecting yourself. Tanning beds are used both in home and tanning salons. Tanning beds and tanning salons are now big business.

When tanning lotions first came out on the market they made everyone look orange, today they improved this and now people look like they really have a tan. Today the self tanners come in many shades, since everyone does not have the same skin pigment it is easier to match your skin type. Generally this change in color lasts for five to seven days from the initial application. Using sunless tanning lotions is a well liked method for sunless tanning. Tanning sprays have become more advanced since they were developed, they protect your skin against the sun and give you a tan without needing the sun, and some even have moistures in them to enrich your skin.

One of the drawbacks of these tanning lotions that dye your skin is that they do not last very long and you need to keep applying it to keep the color constant. The reason for this is because your skin continuously sheds old skin and replenishes your body with new skin so you will loose the color from the tanner. Also, you should test the tanner on a hidden part of your body before applying it over all of your skin.