Frequently Asked Questions

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Sunbeds offer a controlled way to tan and can provide appropriate levels of UV to ensure sufficient levels of Vitamin D are achieved and maintained.

Tanning in sunlight means the body can be subjected to different levels of UV rays, depending on the time of day, location in the world, month of the year and so on. With a sunbed, a tanning programme can be developed to ensure skin type and the type of sunbed being used, are taken into consideration to ensure that over exposure, including the possibility of burning, is avoided. 

Vitamin D is essential for good health!

Medical studies around the world have proven the benefits of Vitamin D in association with:

• Cellular Health: including breast, colon and prostate cancers 
• Bone Health: including osteoporosis, hip fractures, osteomalacia and hip fractures
• Organ Health: including high blood pressure, hypertension and heart disease
• Mental Health: including SAD, PMS, depression and general mood
• Auto-immune Diseases: including multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
• Skin Disorders: including psoriasis
• Obesity and exercise programs

Sunlight is the most effective way for the body to manufacture Vitamin D. Yet in the UK and Ireland, our bodies can only manufacture Vitamin D from exposure to the sun during the months of May to October which is in short supply in the northern hemisphere. Outside of these months, the sun is simply not strong enough.

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Moderate tanning of 2-3 sessions a week is OK for most skin types but ensure you rest the skin for a minimum of 24 hours between each session and at least 48 hours for skin type 2.

People with skin type 1; children under 18 and people on certain medications that may cause photosensitivity; people with a history of skin cancer in their family should not use a sunbed at all. 

This depends entirely upon the type of sunbed being offered. The power and UV output can vary considerably from sunbed to sunbed. A professional sunbed operator will advise on the correct session length, dependent upon sunbed, skin type and stage of tan development.

A new regulation now requires all sunbeds to have a maximum irradiance level of 0.3W/m2 and this will mean the length of a session will need to be increased to achieve the same dosage.  The EU Standard regulations require all sunbeds to have a maximum output level of 0.3W/m2. This ensures that you are not exposed to UV radiation at a harmful or dangerous levels. This standard is the equivalent to sunbathing in the Mediterranean at midday. We recommend only using regulated lamps to ensure safe and responsible tanning. At Tan box our Sun beds are all re-tubed with Ergoline's own regulated lamps. 

No. Tanned skin protects against sunburn, thought to be the main cause of melanoma. If you avoid getting sunburned, the benefits of moderate sun exposure (see Vitamin D section) will far outweigh any risks. 

Standard Courses are Valid for 12 Months from date of purchase.

Promotional Courses may vary, our Tan Box Team will advise you at time of purchase.

Tan Box takes customer account security and responsible tanning practices very seriously. It is for this reason that we ask clients to use Biometrics to access their accounts. Most importantly, we do not store an image of your fingerprint.

The system works in much the same way as keyless car entry; specific points on your print create a digital key unique to our system and to you. This key cannot be deciphered in any form. We respect your right to opt out of this security measure.

We advise that clients consult with their GP before undertaking any UV tanning to treat a specific condition. Whereas UV light is believed to kill the bacteria associated with Acne, new developments in treatment of this skin condition and many others underlines the necessity to consult with a health professional.

However, UV tanning equipment is absolutely fantastic for the production of Vitamin D. Experts believe that having a vitamin D deficiency might limit the body's ability to keep skin healthy and as such, conditions such as Acne, Psoriasis and Eczema may be indirectly helped by ensuring that Vitamin D levels are maintained. Talk with your health professional about the different options you have available

While there is no research to indicate UV light would have a negative effect on an unborn baby, our policy is to prohibit the use of UV tanning equipment during pregnancy.

We are always happy to “Freeze” an active tanning course for the duration of a pregnancy or transfer credit to a friend or family member. Courses are reactivated for the duration of minutes remaining on the package at the time of freezing it.

Spray Tans are available at Tan Box to achieve that Sunkissed glow with your bump.

UK law states that persons under the age of 18 are prohibited from using UV tanning equipment or entering any rooms containing UV tanning equipment. We operate a challenge 21 Policy, so if you’re over 18 and lucky enough to look under 21 we will ask for photo ID which must be shown at your first visit.

We have Spray Tans available for all ages. (Under-16’s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)

Personal preference! Beds are as varied as users and the main difference between stand-up and lay-down tanning is individual preference. Some clients like to pop in for a short stand-up session on the go or on route to work whereas others like to enjoy a longer session on a lay-down to relax and unwind!

Modern beds are designed to tan all over through the careful design of the lamp array, client position and reflectors. Our team will provide you with an introduction of the equipment at your first visit.

Our Lay down beds do have a max weight allowance of 118 kg.

Session length will be advised by our trained team, duration is determined by skin type and tanning history. The first session with us is usually the minimum session length suitable for your skin type. Minutes are then increased safely and gradually.

This depends on your skin type, your current skin tone and your tanning lotion. It usually takes 3 to 5 sessions for someone to develop a base tan which can then be maintained with moderate repeat sessions, moisturising and tanning lotions. The actual tanning process takes 48 hours for you to see the full effect of each individual tanning session.  

SPF lotions are used to protect your skin from UV light when outdoors. A sun screen will prevent you from absorbing UV rays from sunlight and is used to prevent skin damage when you spend long periods of time in the sun. However on a sunbed, the amount of UV exposure you receive is time controlled and limited to avoid skin damage and burning but to also ensure sufficient UV absorption.

Using a sun screen whilst on a tanning bed will stop both the absorption of vitamin D and the creation of a tan, meaning your tanning session is wasted. Outdoor tanning products can also damage tanning equipment, especially acrylic surfaces. Instead, it’s recommended that a professional tanning lotion is applied. This can be used before and after tanning. These lotions are crammed full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and natural oils to maximise tanning results and keep skin nourished and healthy.

Professional tanning lotions have been designed with all of the consequences in mind. They have been crammed full of antioxidants, vitamins, natural oils and moisturisers which work to improve skin condition. When you apply lotion before tanning, you will experience:

• An increase in collagen synthesis, which will plump skin and combat the ageing process.
• Increased skin firmness, making skin look toned and tightened.
• The anti-wrinkle properties of professional tanning lotions, thanks to the high concentration of moisturising ingredients such as Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter and Natural Oils.
• Increased skin hydration, preventing a dry and dull appearance.
• The promotion of free radical scavenging, diminishing their presence on the skin and protecting from skin damage.
• Counteraction of inflammation to the skin.
• Prevention of protein and lipid oxidative damage, therefore improving overall skin condition.
• Increased enzyme synthesis, which makes skin more effective at tanning.
• No tanning odours, as tanning lotions have been designed to leave you feeling and smelling fresh.

One of the top ten reasons why clients don’t apply lotion is that they believe they tan better without. This is untrue. 

When tanners don't use tanning lotion, it can negatively impact skin health in the following ways:

• Skin will become dehydrated, giving a dry, dull appearance. Dry skin reflects light, meaning you'll be unable to tan as effectively and may spend more time tanning only to achieve a lesser result.
• Lipids in the skin will become oxidised, resulting in cell damage.
• Skin proteins also become oxidised causing further skin damage.
• There will be a loss of elasticity in the skin, causing it to be less plump.
• A loss of collagen will speed up the ageing process.
• The production of free radicals on the skin will increase. This can damage the DNA in our skin and result in premature ageing.
• Skin can become inflamed.
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UV light can damage skin cells if a tanning lotion is not applied. What’s more, these damaged cells can affect circulation and cause a cellular imbalance, blocking the production and activity of enzymes. Simply put, this will affect melanin production, meaning clients won’t be able to get a dark tan easily. Additionally, by not applying a professional tanning lotion, customers are leaving their skin without protection designed specifically for the purpose of indoor tanning. These lotions regenerate, rejuvenate and nourish skin to encourage the best tan possible. By forgoing these in favour of something which has not been designed with sunbeds in mind, or in favour of nothing at all, clients are opening themselves  

Lips do not have the ability to tan, so it is recommended to apply an SPF lip balm before tanning. This protects your lips both from dehydration and sun burn. 

 UV rays are known to fade your tattoos after frequent exposure, however by applying an SPF or tattoo specific tanning lotion/tattoo protection stick to the tattooed area, it will help maintain its vibrancy. It is advised that you wait at least one month before using a sunbed or sunbathing to ensure the tattoo is completely healed.