Then, remember that even though your skin is more brown, it's not protected by the melanin produced by a natural suntan. Apply this only after the tanning lotion is completely dry. As for tanning salons, my advice is to stay away. The rays in a tanning parlor can be a lot stronger than ordinary sunshine. A study in Sweden a couple of years ago found that people under age 30 who used tanning salons more than 10 times a year had a seven times higher risk of melanoma than other people.
Most skin cancer is related to UV radiation, and melanoma is the deadliest kind.
The UVA light of tanning salons is as harmful as the UVB rays you get during peak sunlight hours. Sometimes people go to tanning salons before they go on a winter vacation in order to avoid a sunburn. A better technique is to expose yourself gradually to the sun once you've arrived, and be sure to use a sunblock of at least SPF 15. I'm not one of those doctors who would have you avoid sun at any cost, but a tan is definitely not a sign of health. The only good thing about a suntan is that it means you've been outdoors, where you may have been getting exercise and enjoying relaxation.