If you’ve ever worked customer service, you know every job has its “greatest hits.”
Working in a tanning salon? Ours sound something like this:
“Do I really need lotion?”
“The bed wasn’t very warm… does that mean it wasn’t working?”
“I’m leaving for vacation tomorrow. One session should do it, right?”
“If I don’t burn, am I even tanning?”
Disclaimer: We promise we’re not calling anyone out. 😉 We’ve just answered these questions approximately 7,462 times… give or take.
After years behind the counter, we’ve heard just about every tanning myth imaginable. Some make perfect sense. Some make us scratch our heads. And a few… well… let’s just say we admire the confidence. 😂
Myth #1: “Indoor tanning is exactly the same as laying outside.”
☀️ The Truth
Not quite.
When you’re outside, the sun changes throughout the day. Cloud cover, time of day, weather, and even where you are all affect your UV exposure.
Indoor tanning provides a more controlled environment. Session times are carefully scheduled, equipment is maintained, and recommendations are based on your skin type and tanning goals.
😎 Our Two Cents
Think of indoor tanning as a planned workout and outdoor sun as a pickup game—you have a lot more control over one than the other.
Myth #2: “If I don’t burn, I’m not tanning.”
☀️ The Truth
This is one of the biggest misconceptions we hear.
Your skin produces melanin (the pigment responsible for your tan) whether or not you burn. In fact, building your color gradually is typically a much better approach than trying to rush the process.
😎 Our Two Cents
We’d much rather help you build a beautiful, long-lasting tan than send you home looking like you picked a fight with the sun… and lost.
Myth #3: “Any lotion works.”
☀️ The Truth
Moisturized skin tans better and holds color longer.
Indoor tanning lotions are designed specifically for tanning equipment and often contain ingredients that help hydrate your skin and enhance your tanning results. Regular body lotion helps moisturize, but it won’t provide the same benefits. Outdoor sunscreens are made for a completely different purpose and should be used when you’re spending time in natural sunlight.
😎 Our Two Cents
Think of tanning lotion as part of your tanning routine—not just an optional extra.
Listen… no judgment. We’ve all forgotten lotion before. But your skin absolutely remembers. 😂
Myth #4: “The hottest bed gives the darkest tan.”
☀️ The Truth
Heat and UV performance are two different things.
Some tanning beds naturally feel warmer, while others stay cooler because of their airflow and design. That doesn’t automatically mean one tans better than the other.
😎 Our Two Cents
Don’t judge a tanning bed by its temperature. Tell us what you’re hoping to achieve, and we’ll help match you with the equipment that’s right for you.
Myth #5: “One session before vacation is enough.”
☀️ The Truth
Ohhh, if only. We’d all be lined up the night before vacation if it worked that way!
The internet is a wonderful place… until it convinces someone they can get the perfect vacation tan in one session. 😅
Around here in Western Pennsylvania, we spend half the year counting down to vacation season. Give yourself a few weeks to gradually build your color instead of trying to rush the process the day before your flight.
😎 Our Two Cents
Your future vacation photos will thank you.
Myth #6: “My tan disappeared because the bed wasn’t working.”
☀️ The Truth
Usually, there are other culprits.
Long hot showers, swimming pools, lake days, ocean water, dry skin, and skipping moisturizer can all cause your tan to fade faster than expected.
😎 Our Two Cents
Hydrated skin is happy skin—and happy skin hangs onto your color much longer.
We promise… if the bed wasn’t working, we’d probably know before you did. 😅
⚡ Bonus Myth Lightning Round
“Cloudy days mean I can’t burn outside.”
Nope! UV rays can still reach your skin, even on cloudy days.
“Shaving removes my tan.”
Not your actual tan—but it does exfoliate dead skin cells, so moisturizing afterward is important.
“I don’t need to moisturize.”
Your skin would like to have a word with you. 😅
“Once I have a base tan, I’m done forever.”
Unfortunately, no. Like most good things, maintaining your color takes consistency.
The Bottom Line
At TruTan, we don’t expect you to know everything about tanning—that’s what we’re here for.
Around here, there are no silly questions. We’d rather spend five minutes answering one than have you spend five weeks wondering if something you read online was true.
So ask away. We promise we won’t judge… unless you tell us you skipped lotion again. 😉
(Kidding… mostly.)
And if you’ve believed one (or maybe all!) of these myths, don’t worry. You’re definitely not the first… and you certainly won’t be the last.
We’ll be here to help you separate fact from fiction—one tan at a time. ☀️
P.S. If you have a tanning question that didn’t make this list, ask us next time you’re in! Who knows… it might make the sequel. 😉