We love a great tan, whether that tan comes from hours spent in the sun, minutes in a tanning bed, or seconds in a spray tan booth!
If you love tanning, then you probably already know the #1 most important rule in the tanning process. No, it’s not exfoliating before tanning, although it is an important one! It’s not how much time you’ve spent at the tanning salon. It’s not even about how long you wait to shower after you’ve tanned.
The most important rule of tanning, no matter the method, is hydrating your skin!
Skin Needs Moisture To Produce a Deep Tan
To understand why we love hydration stations, we have to first realize why we need to worry about our skin’s moisture. Here are three fundamental facts about how your skin’s moisture affects your tan.
Dry Skin Reflects UV Rays
If you’re a UV tanner, outside in the sun, or inside at the salon, you should know and understand this fact. Dry skin reflects up to 50% of UV light, the tan producing light we need to stimulate the melanin in deep within the lower levels of our skin.
When your skin is dry, it can take significantly longer for your skin to develop your desired level of tan. You don’t want to spend extra time and money in the tanning salon if you don’t need to! Keeping your skin well-hydrated will help your skin absorb the UV light faster, giving you results in half the time, or less.
UV tanners understand that there is a risk to tanning outdoors or indoors. The increased UV exposure can make you more likely to development skin cancer. While moisturizing your skin won’t reduce this risk, it will help you achieve your goals faster, therefore, spending less time in UV light.
Tanning Dries Out Your Skin
UV rays pose additional risks to your skin’s health. It can damage skin cells, cause premature aging, and dry out your skin. Of course we want a beautiful, deep tan, but it won’t look so hot under a bunch of dry skin.
Keeping your skin moisturized while tanning helps prevent dryness and restores your skin softness after tanning. Many tanning lotions can also help prevent the signs of aging by minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.
Moisture Extends Your Tan
Even after you’re done tanning, keeping your skin moisturized can have great benefits for your tan. Not only will it keep your skin from looking dried out, but it also helps lock in your tan’s color!
There are many amazing after-tanning lotions that you can use to extend the life of your tan. Make sure that you moisturize your skin daily to keep your tan looking great until your next tanning session.
Hydration Stations Supply Skin With Maximum Moisture
Now that we understand why we need to moisturize our skin to tan, we can finally discuss our obsession about the Hydration Station!
What is a Hydration Station?
A Hydration Station is a private mini-spa experience you can find at many tanning salons. Similar to a lay-down tanning bed, it has a surface that you lay on, with a lid which covers your body from the neck down. This however, does not emit any UV light and will not tan your skin. It is simply for hydrating your skin.
This cool looking capsule submerges your body in a soothing steam treatment which helps you detoxify your skin, clean out pores, and increase circulation. But most of all, it allows your skin to absorb the moisturizing steam, eliminating any trace of dry or flaky skin.
The comforting steam treatment is paired with glowing LED lights which provide a tranquil ambiance for your hydration session. Not only will the Hydration Station relieve your dry skin, but it will also relieve your stress!
After using a Hydration Station, your skin is perfectly hydrated for a tanning session or spray tan.
How Do You Prep for a Hydration Session?
If you’re planning to relax in the Hydration Station before your next tanning session, then the prep is the same as if you were tanning. Simply make sure you’ve shaved and exfoliated, so your skin is nice and smooth.
There’s no need to put lotion on prior to the Hydration Station, just disrobe and lay down to start your session. When your hydration session is over, towel dry off and head over to the tanning bed.
Do You Still Need to Use Tanning Lotion After?
You will still want to apply your tanning lotion before your tanning session for best results. While the Hydration Station will offer maximum moisture, tanning lotions still offer many additional benefits.
Bronzer lotions allow your skin to achieve a darker tan than moisturizing alone. Many tanning lotions also include skin-firming and anti-aging ingredients that will help nourish your skin after tanning. Plus, they smell good!
Can You Use a Hydration Station Even if You Don’t Tan?
Absolutely! The Hydration Station benefits your skin whether you decide to tan after or not. Whether you’re looking for a way to alleviate your dry skin, or you’re in between tanning sessions and wanting to extend your tan’s life, the Hydration Station is there to help.
If you have a salon membership that includes spa treatments, definitely stop in after school or work for a hydration session, even if you don’t plan on tanning. It’s a pretty nice way to unwind after a stressful day!
Moist Skin is Happy Skin
There’s no doubt about it, the best way to get a beautiful, dark tan is to keep your skin moisturized. And one of the best way to moisturize your skin before heading into the tanning bed is to stop by the Hydration Station first.
The Hydration Station is an effective way of refreshing your skin before UV or spray tanning. This mini-sauna will ease your muscles and moisturize your skin, leaving you feeling less stressed and more relaxed. It doesn’t hurt that it also helps you burn calories and prep your skin for a super deep, dark tan! But beware, once you’ve used the Hydration Station, you’ll never want to go back!
