Indoor Tanning Levels Explained: How to Choose the Right Session for Your Goals
If you’ve ever looked at a tanning salon menu and wondered, “What do all these different levels actually mean?” you’re definitely not alone.
Indoor tanning equipment can vary in lamp technology, intensity, session length, design and overall tanning experience. Add stand-up units, high-pressure equipment and hybrid technology into the mix, and choosing the right session can feel a little overwhelming.
At Sun Seekers Tanning & Wellness in Maple Ridge, we don’t expect you to figure it all out on your own.
That’s what our Glow Consultants are here for.
The best tanning session isn’t necessarily the highest level or the longest session. It’s the session that makes sense for your skin, your current colour and your goals.
First: What Does a Tanning “Level” Mean?
Tanning salons often use levels to help organize different types of equipment.
Generally, moving between levels can mean differences in things such as:
- Lamp technology and output
- Building or Bronzing
- UVA and UVB balance
- Session length
- Bed or stand-up design
- Comfort features
- High-pressure or hybrid technology
- The overall tanning experience
But there’s an important point to remember:
A tanning level isn’t a score.
Level 5 isn’t automatically “better” than Level 3, and a particular unit may be ideal for one client while another piece of equipment is a better choice for someone else.
Your tanning plan should be personalized.
Start With Your Skin Type
Before recommending a UV tanning session, we look at your skin type and tanning history.
Some people naturally develop colour more easily than others. Some burn more readily. Others may already have an established base tan when they visit.
Those differences matter.
At Sun Seekers, new clients complete a consultation and waiver so our team can better understand their skin type, experience and goals before recommending equipment and exposure time.
And sometimes the correct recommendation is not to UV tan.
For example, Sun Seekers does not offer UV or hybrid tanning to Skin Type 1 clients, and clients under 18 cannot use UV or hybrid tanning except where permitted under the applicable medical-prescription exemption.
Base Equipment: A Great Place to Begin
For many clients, traditional tanning equipment is a comfortable place to start or maintain an existing routine.
These sessions can work well for someone who:
- Is newer to indoor tanning
- Wants to gradually develop colour
- Already has colour and wants to maintain it
- Prefers a straightforward tanning session
- Wants an economical way to tan regularly
At Sun Seekers, our Glow Start membership includes access to our base equipment, making it a popular option for clients who want a simple and consistent routine.
But even when using base equipment, your session time should still be based on your individual tanning history and skin type.
More minutes does not automatically mean better results.
Moving Into Different Equipment
As your colour develops or depending on your individual goals your Glow Consultant may recommend trying different equipment.
Sun Seekers offers a variety of options across our two Maple Ridge locations, including equipment such as the:
Affinity Series
Comfortable lay-down tanning options that can work well within a regular tanning routine.
Inspiration Hybrid Series
Hybrid equipment combines UV tanning with red light technology in the same session.
Sunrise and Space 2000 stand-up units
A different tanning experience for clients who prefer standing rather than lying down.
Open Sun 1050 High Pressure
A high-pressure tanning experience that uses different lamp technology from traditional tanning equipment.
Different equipment gives us more flexibility when helping you build a tanning routine instead of treating every visit exactly the same.
What Is Hybrid Tanning?
Hybrid tanning has become increasingly popular because it combines UV tanning and red light technology during the same session.
At Sun Seekers, several of our Inspiration and Space units incorporate hybrid technology.
The UV component is responsible for tanning, while the red light component creates a different overall session experience.
It’s a convenient option for clients who enjoy both technologies and want them incorporated into one visit.
It’s also important to distinguish hybrid tanning from a dedicated red light wellness session.
If your goal is specifically red light rather than tanning, talk with us about our wellness services so we can point you toward the most appropriate option.
What About High-Pressure Tanning?
High-pressure equipment uses a different style of tanning technology than traditional fluorescent tanning lamps.
Our Open Sun 1050 High Pressure is one of the distinctive tanning experiences available at Sun Seekers.
Clients may choose high-pressure equipment because they enjoy the session experience or because it fits into the tanning routine recommended for them.
Again, though, the right choice depends on the person.
Rather than deciding based purely on the equipment name or level, let us help you determine where it fits into your routine.
Lay-Down or Stand-Up?
This one often comes down to personal preference.
Some clients love the opportunity to relax in a lay-down tanning unit.
Others prefer a stand-up because they enjoy having more space or simply prefer the experience.
Neither format is automatically better.
At Sun Seekers, having both options means your tanning routine can be based on what you actually enjoy using.
Because if you’re going to make something part of your routine, you should like the experience.
How Often Should You Tan?
This is another area where more is not always better.
UV exposure is cumulative, and adequate time between sessions matters.
At Sun Seekers, session recommendations take your skin type, equipment, previous exposure and tanning history into consideration. We also encourage clients to follow recommended exposure schedules rather than trying to speed up their results.
Sun Seekers recommends allowing 24-48 hours between tanning sessions.
Building colour gradually is the better approach.
Your Lotion Matters Too
Choosing your tanning equipment is only part of the conversation.
Your skin condition and the product you use during your session can also affect your tanning experience.
Professional indoor tanning lotions are formulated specifically for use with tanning equipment and can provide benefits such as hydration and skincare ingredients while complementing your tanning routine. That is why we have our Professional Product Standards at Sun Seekers.
Different lotions are designed for different goals, so you don’t need to choose one based on the bottle that looks nicest on the shelf.
Tell us what you want.
Our Glow Consultants can help match a product to your skin, your tanning goals and the equipment you’re using.
So…Which Tanning Level Should You Choose?
The easiest answer?
You don’t need to decide by yourself.
When you come into Sun Seekers, tell us:
- What your current colour is like
- Whether you have been tanning recently
- How your skin typically responds to UV
- Whether you’re preparing for a vacation or event
- Whether you prefer lay-down or stand-up equipment
- How often you realistically plan to visit
- What kind of result you’re hoping to achieve
From there, we can help you build a tanning routine that makes sense.
Sometimes that means staying with the equipment you already love.
Sometimes it means trying something different.
And sometimes your goals may be better suited to spray tanning or one of our wellness services instead.
Let Us Help You Find Your Best Fit
With two Maple Ridge locations and a wide range of tanning and wellness equipment, Sun Seekers gives you options.
But options are only valuable when you understand how to use them.
That’s why our approach is simple:
Greet. Learn your goal. Offer expert guidance. Wrap with confidence.
You don’t need to know the difference between every lamp, level or piece of equipment before you walk through our doors.
That’s our job.
Ready to Find the Right Session for You?
Visit Sun Seekers Tanning & Wellness in Maple Ridge and talk with one of our Glow Consultants. We’ll help you understand your options and choose a tanning routine based on your goals, experience and skin type.
