7777 E. 21st St. Wichita, KS (316) 682-7777	10051 W. 21st St. N., Wichita, KS (316) 721-9300
260 W. Greenway Derby, KS (316) 788-0033	505 E. Ross Clearwater,KS 67026 (620) 584-2930
340 S. Andover Rd. #E, Andover, KS (316) 733-0480

Wichita's Best Tanning Salons - Caribbean Sun

Tanning FAQs

What should I wear to tan?

Why should I use indoor tanning lotions?

Is indoor tanning as effective as outdoor tanning?

Why Tan?
Light is essential to all life on earth. There are various physiological and psychological reasons why exposure to light is desirable and necessary. There's a growing body of scientific research that shows  people actually require light exposure to function effectively. Light exposure causes the brain to suppress the release of the hormone melatonin.  Melatonin acts as a depressant in the body.  Exposure to light produces various health benefits, such as the production of the very necessary Vitamin D3 in the prevention of bone diseases (such as osteoporosis) and in the improvement of symptoms of psoriasis.

People who are exposed to longer hours of bright light feel happier and are able to enjoy life. Potential health benefits include but are not limited to: production of Vitamin D, decreased risks of breast and colon cancer, and reduced risk of sunburn. The psychological benefits of tanning are also well researched. Sunlight deprivation has been linked to some mental disorders. There are numerous reasons, physical and psychological, why exposure to ultraviolet light is desirable. FDA regulations at the present time prevent the indoor tanning industry from making any medical representations or claims related to indoor tanning exposure. The best reason is people know that a great tan looks good, feels good, and can add to personal confidence and attractiveness.
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What should I wear to tan?
Some people choose to wear a swimsuit, just as they would at the beach. But, because of the privacy of indoor tanning, most tan in the nude to avoid tan lines. Any skin that has never been exposed to ultraviolet light before will be more sensitive. These parts must acquire a tan slowly. Talk to our tanning professionals about how long you should expose areas that have not been tanned. When you can't see any tan lines on your body at all, it's ok to expose that skin the same length of time as the rest of your body.
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Why should I use indoor tanning lotions?
Indoor tanning lotions also known as "accelerators" add nutrients your body needs to produce melanin. Our line of quality accelerators contain vitamin A, C, E, and botanicals that moisturize and increase blood flow, thus increasing oxygenation of melanin cells to help speed up the tanning process. UV rays reflect off of dry skin, the moisturizers in tanning accelerators help you absorb UV rays for better results. You will tan about twice as fast and keep your tan twice as long.  We carry a full line of tanning lotions and supplies to help you get the most out of every visit.
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Is indoor tanning as effective as outdoor tanning?
Yes, in fact, sometimes more so because you are in a controlled environment. Your skin produces a tan the same way in an indoor tanning salon as it does when you lay out in the sun: through ultraviolet (UV) light. However, out in the sun, you cannot control the amount of UV light exposure and trying to achieve an all-over even-body tan is very difficult. Indoor tanning allows you to control the amount of UV light, for all all-over even tan. With indoor tanning you can gradually increase your exposure time eliminating any sunburn, which is harmful to the skin. The results and convenience of a tan from Caribbean Sun allows a year round healthy looking tan without concerns of prolonged exposure to the burning rays of the sun.
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Can I use outdoor oils and lotions in the tanning bed?
NO, just as the word indicates outdoor products should ONLY be used outdoors, as they can cause a film on the acrylic. This actually inhibits the tanning process, rather than acting as an amplifying agent. Our salons carry many excellent indoor tanning products for that purpose. Ask our tanning professional for recommendations.
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How long will it take to see results?
To build an awesome tan, tan regularly. Allowing too much time between visits will cause your tan to fade. Most people will see a skin color change after the first few sessions. A good base tan should develop in 6-10 sessions. Then one or two sessions a week thereafter will maintain your tan year round. Our tanning professionals can recommend a schedule for you that will fit your complexion. There are special cells in the skin called melanocytes. Ultraviolet B rays stimulate these cells and cause them to produce melanin. As these cells migrate to the surface of the skin, ultraviolet A rays oxidize them; thus creating a tan. Each of us has a different amount of melanin, fair-skinned, fair-haired people generally have less than dark-haired, dark-skinned people. This determines, for the most part, how quickly and how dark your skin will tan.
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How do I keep my tan?
Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! Healthy skin tans faster, darker, and retains a tan longer. Drink plenty of water and make sure to keep your skin moisturized with a high quality lotion. Your skin is constantly renewing itself. Dry skin sheds its top layers and brings new skin to the surface faster. You lose the top layers, you lose your tan. Dry layers on the surface of your skin will also block the UV rays from getting to the other layers to tan them. Even with moisturizing you will still need to maintain a tanning schedule to maintain your tan, because your skin is reproducing new cells all the time.
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I'm really in a hurry... can I tan more than once on the same day?
Only if you do a "Double Dip". To get an "instant" tan or an "extra boost" to your tan you should consider using our sunless air-brush system immediately after tanning in a bed or booth. In just seconds you can have the natural-looking bronze color you desire. There is no time limitation for spray tanning, this is allowed on the same day as a traditional tanning session.
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How much time should I let pass between tanning sessions?
The FDA requires 24 hours between tanning sessions. We recommend you allow at least 2 days in between sessions whenever time allows.
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Is it okay to shower right away after tanning?
Absolutely! Tanning is a process that can take up to 24 hours to develop. You can not "wash" away your tan, unless you are using a self tanner, shaving right away, or exfoliating.
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Should I use SPF on my lips?
Yes! You should use an SPF on your lips because your lips can't tan.
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How old do I have to be to tan without my parent's consent? 
14 or older. Kansas state law does not require signed parental permission for anyone under 14 years of age, however Caribbean Sun recognizes a parents right to be in control of their child.  Anyone under 14 must have a parent or legal guardian present with them to tan in our salon. We will not accept notes from home, phone calls or parents of friends or other relatives to sign for them as we cannot verify their authenticity.
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Do I really have to wear eye goggles?
Yes! It is very important! Your skin tans - your eyes don't! Federal law requires all tanning salons to supply customers with proper eye protection. This eyewear must meet federal government standards by blocking 99% of UVA and UVB rays. Closing the eyelids or using sunglasses or cotton balls is not adequate protection as the UV rays will easily penetrate these things and continue into the eyes.
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Can I tan if I'm pregnant?
Please consult your physician. Although we know that there is no danger from UV rays since they cannot penetrate deeper than the dermis (skin layer). Pregnant women are advised to be cautious with saunas, hot tubs and other things that can cause excessive heat to build up in the uterus. Do not tan withouth consulting your physician first.
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When shouldn't I tan?
When you are taking photosensitizing medication it is not recommended to tan outdoors or indoors. If you aren't sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. A partial list, by no means inclusive, appears below.

Many common medications and even ingredients in food, shampoos & soaps can cause photo sensitivity which may lead to overexposure. Perfumes and colognes containing furocoumarins, a compound from natural products such as plants and fruits, can cause your skin to become highly sensitive to UV light. Food and fruits that contain photosensitizing agents: celery, carrots, lime, coriander, parsley, fennel, dill, buttercup, mustard and fig.

Not everyone will experience a photosensitive reaction. Also, someone who experiences a photosensitive reaction once will NOT necessarily experience it again or every time.

Medications will NOT cause the same degree of skin reaction in all individuals.

The most common photosensitizing list is below, This is not a list of everything that could have photosensitizing effects. For answers to any question about a drug or product that you use, you should consult a physician or pharmacist.

Accutane	Dlulo	Marplan	Renese
Achromycin	Diupres	Maxzide	Ru-Tuss II Capsules
Actidil	Diuril	Mellaril	Seldane
Actifed	Diutensen-R	Mepergan	Septra
Adrueil	Dyazide	Mexate	Ser-Ap-Es
Aldactazide	Dyrenium	Mexate-AQ	Serentil
Aldoclor	Elavil	Minizide	Serepasil
Aldoril	Endep	Minocin	Sinequan
Ambenyl	Enduronyl	Moduretic	Sparine
Ancobon	Esidrix	Motrin	Stelazine
Apresolene-Esidrix	Esimil	Mykrox	Sumycin
Aquatenson	Estar Gel	Naquival	Surmontil
Asendin	Etrafon	Naturetin	Tacaryl
Azo Gantanol	Exna	NegGram	Taractan
Azo Gantrisin	Fansidar	Neptazane	Tavist
Azulfidine	Flexeril	Normozide	Tegretol
Bactrim	Folex	Noroxin	Temaril
Bainetar	Fulvicin U/F	Norpramin	Tenoretic
Barbiturates	Gantanol	Optimine	Terramycin
Benadryl	Garamycin	Oreticyl	Thalitone
Butazolidin	Glucotrol	Ornade Spansule	Thorazine
Capoten	Grisactin	Orudis Capsules	Timolide
Cesamet	Haldol	Pamelor	Tofranil
Cipro	Hibiclens	Pediazole	Tolazamide
Clinoril	Hispril Spansule	Periactin	Tolinase
Compazine	Hydromox	Permitil	Trandate HCT
Danocrine	Hygroton	Pertofrane	Triaminic TR
Dapsone	Inderide	Phenergan	Vaseretic
Declomycin	Intal Inhaler	Phisohex	Vasotec Tablets
Deconamine	Intron A	Polaramine	Velban
Diabeta	Lasix	Prolixin	Vivactil
Diabinese	Librium	Quindex	Voltaren Tablets
Dilantin	Limbitrol	Quinidine	Zaroxolyn
Dimetane	Lozol	Quinine
Dincardin	Ludiomil	Rauzide

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Can indoor tanning cure acne?
Phototherapy (use of UV light) has been used in treating the skin problems of this condition. Tanning dries the skin and this can help keep acne outbreaks to a minimum in acute cases and can help eliminate outbreaks in mild cases. There are also many drugs, including tetracycline and Retin-A, which are also used for the treatment of acne and because these drugs can render the skin photosensitive, one must take extreme care with UV exposure when medicated.
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Does tanning help treat depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder?
A growing body of scientific evidence exists that shows some people require more light exposure in order to function properly. Bright light exposure, such as the mid-day summer sun, causes the brain to suppress the release of the hormone melatonin which acts as a depressant in the body if generated during the daytime. Effected people, exposed to longer hours of bright light, feel happier and more able to enjoy life. Bright light sources emitting only visible light are now frequently used to successfully treat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Sub-syndrome Seasonal Affective Disorder (SSAD).
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