How to Use Sunbed Cream

Most people apply sunbed cream wrong. They put it on in the salon changing room, use twice as much as they need, and shower the moment they get home — then wonder why their tan doesn't develop the way it should. The right routine takes less than a minute of extra effort and makes a measurable difference to your results.

Here is exactly how to use sunbed cream correctly, from the evening before your session through to the day after. Every step has a reason behind it — not just an instruction.

What this guide covers:

• The full 8-step routine in chronological order

• The 4 most common mistakes — and how to avoid them

• Does it matter which sunbed cream you use?

• FAQ — 5 questions answered directly

How to use sunbed cream — the full step-by-step routine

Step 1: Exfoliate — the evening before, not the morning of

Use a gentle body scrub or exfoliating mitt 24 hours before your session. Focus on the areas that accumulate dead skin fastest: elbows, knees, ankles, and the back of the upper arms. These are the same spots that go patchy and absorb product unevenly without preparation.

The timing detail matters: exfoliating immediately before a session leaves skin temporarily sensitised and slightly reactive. Doing it the evening before gives skin time to settle while still clearing the dead cell layer that would otherwise interfere with even product absorption. Most guides say 'exfoliate before tanning' — this is the specific detail they leave out.

Step 2: Moisturise dry zones the evening before your session

On the same evening as exfoliating, apply a plain, unfragranced moisturiser to your elbows, knees, and ankles if they are particularly dry. Dry skin absorbs tanning products at a different rate from surrounding skin — these zones pull in more product, develop darker, and fade unevenly. Bringing them to roughly the same hydration level as the rest of your body is the most direct way to prevent patchiness before it starts.

This step is almost never mentioned in how-to guides and is the single biggest preventable cause of streaky or patchy results — particularly with bronzer formulas.

Step 3: Apply the cream 20–30 minutes before your session, not in the changing room

This is the most commonly ignored piece of advice in the entire category — and the one with the most direct impact on results. Apply your sunbed tan cream at home or somewhere private before you leave for the salon, not in the changing room immediately before stepping on the bed.

The active ingredients — tyrosine, inositol, and similar compounds — need 20–30 minutes to absorb through the skin surface and reach the melanocytes where they will be activated by UV. Applying immediately before the session means the cream is still sitting on top of the skin when the UV starts. It transfers onto the sunbed acrylic, delivers a fraction of the effect it should, and may cause the salon to ask you about your product choices. The 20–30 minute window is not a guideline — it is the minimum required for the product to do its job.

Step 4: Use less than you think — a thin, even layer only

Dispense a roughly 50p coin-sized amount for each major body section and spread in circular motions until it's absorbed and no longer visible on the skin surface. That is enough.

Applying more does not deepen the tan. It does the opposite: a thick layer on the skin surface physically blocks UV from reaching the skin cells underneath, reducing the effectiveness of the session. The instinct to apply more for more colour is exactly wrong. A thin, fully absorbed layer performs significantly better than a heavy one. Wash hands immediately after applying if the formula contains bronzer — it will stain palms and nails within minutes.

Step 5: Allow full absorption before dressing — wait 5–10 minutes

After applying, wait five to ten minutes before putting clothes on. This allows the cream to absorb rather than transferring onto fabric. If your formula contains a bronzer, this step is even more important — bronzer can stain light-coloured clothing permanently. Wearing dark or old clothing to your session is sensible extra insurance for any formula with DHA.

Step 6: During the session — goggles on, lie still

Wear proper UV goggles throughout the entire session. Closing your eyes is not sufficient protection against sunbed UV — goggles provide the physical barrier that closed eyelids do not. On a lay-down bed, avoid repositioning frequently during the session; shifting causes the cream to rub unevenly across the acrylic surface and can create patches. On a stand-up bed, position yourself centrally and keep your arms slightly away from your sides for even coverage.

Step 7: After the session — wait before showering (bronzer formulas)

If your cream contains a bronzer (DHA or cosmetic colour), wait at least two to four hours before showering. DHA bronzer continues developing on the skin's surface for several hours after UV exposure ends — showering too soon removes it before it has finished reacting, which costs visible colour that you earned during the session.

If you are using a standard accelerator formula without any bronzer, this waiting period is less critical. But Step 8 still applies regardless of formula type.

Step 8: Moisturise after every session — this is what makes the tan last

Apply a plain, unfragranced body moisturiser all over after your post-session shower. This is the step that determines how long the colour actually lasts. Dry skin sheds faster — as the top layer of skin cells turns over, the tan turns over with it. Daily moisturising after tanning sessions keeps the skin hydrated, slows cell shedding, and can extend the life of a tan by several days per application. A tan maintained with daily moisturising consistently outlasts one that isn't.

Common sunbed cream mistakes — and how to avoid them

Four mistakes that produce the results most people blame on the product rather than the routine:

Applying in the changing room. The 20–30 minute absorption window is lost. The cream sits on the skin surface during the UV session, transfers onto the acrylic, and delivers half the effect. Apply at home, not at the salon.

Using too much. Thick layers block UV. A thin, fully absorbed layer performs better every time. Thin and even is the goal — not generous coverage.

Skipping exfoliation. Dead skin cells create an uneven surface that absorbs product at different depths. The result is patchiness that no application technique can fully compensate for. Exfoliate 24 hours before, not same-day.

Showering immediately after. For bronzer formulas, DHA develops for two to four hours post-session. Showering cuts this short and removes colour that would otherwise have developed fully. Wait, moisturise, then shower.

Does it matter which sunbed cream you use?

The routine above applies to any quality tanning cream for sunbeds — but the type of cream you choose does affect one part of the protocol. If you are using a standard sunbed tan accelerator without any bronzer, the post-session waiting period in Step 7 is less critical. If you are using a bronzer formula — standard or DHA — all eight steps apply, especially Step 7.

For a full breakdown of the different cream types and which suits your skin type and experience level, the best sunbed cream guide covers the full comparison. Browse the tanning cream for sunbeds collection to find the right formula for your routine.

If you're also wondering whether sunbed cream can be used outdoors, our guide on can you use sunbed cream in the sun covers that separately.

FAQ — how to use sunbed cream

How long before a sunbed should I apply cream?

Apply sunbed cream 20–30 minutes before your session — not in the changing room immediately beforehand. The active ingredients need time to absorb into the skin. Applying too close to the session means the cream stays on the surface, where it can transfer to the sunbed acrylic rather than penetrating into the skin to do its job.

Do you put sunbed cream on before or after the sunbed?

Sunbed cream is applied before the session — ideally 20–30 minutes before you get on the bed. If you're using a bronzer formula, there's also an aftercare step: wait at least two to four hours after the session before showering, to allow the bronzer to fully develop on the skin.

Should I shower before or after using sunbed cream?

You can shower before your session if you want to start with clean skin — just make sure skin is fully dry and at room temperature before applying the cream. After the session, if you've used a bronzer formula, wait two to four hours before showering to allow the DHA bronzer to finish developing. For a standard accelerator without bronzer, you can shower sooner — but moisturising after the shower is important regardless of formula type.

How much sunbed cream should I use?

Less than you think. A thin, even layer — roughly a 50p coin-sized amount per body section — is enough. Applying too much cream doesn't deepen the tan; it creates a thick layer on the skin surface that physically blocks UV from reaching the skin, reducing the effectiveness of your session. Spread it evenly in circular motions until it's fully absorbed and no longer visible.

Can I use regular body lotion instead of sunbed cream?

No — regular body lotion is not suitable for sunbed use. First, some lotion ingredients (including many oils and silicones) can damage the acrylic surface of sunbed beds. Second, standard moisturisers do not contain the active tanning ingredients — like tyrosine or inositol — that stimulate melanin production during UV exposure. A regular moisturiser will hydrate your skin during the session but contribute nothing to your tan.

Ready to use it properly?

Now you have the full routine — from exfoliating the night before to moisturising after every session. Browse the 2 Damn Dark tanning cream for sunbeds range — formulated for indoor UV use, same-day dispatch on orders before 3pm.