Looking pale and needing a little boost? Tanning salons exist for this very reason! But if you’ve never been, or you have and you had a negative experience, you could be worried about having an awkward time. Indeed, there are some rules of etiquette you should be aware of before you head to the salon.
Wear Whatever Is Comfortable For You
The uncertainty of what you should wear at the salon is probably one of the biggest causes of concern for people who are unfamiliar with tanning. If you’re uncomfortable with showing your skin to strangers, there’s no need to worry too much; in most cases, you don’t need to strip down to your birthday suit in order to tan. Usually, you should be able to wear a swimming suit or something similar while you tan. On the other hand, if you’re totally cool with tanning in the nude, there’s a good chance your salon allows that. Just check with them first to be sure.
Also, you can be assured that there will most likely be a certain level of privacy, so don’t think that many people will be seeing you at your most vulnerable. And even then, people working at a salon are used to seeing people wearing very little – they’ve seen it all!
Practice Good Hygiene and Clean Up After Yourself
While no one is going to point out your B.O. (unless it’s really bad), please take some time to make sure you’re practicing good hygiene, especially when you plan to be using shared equipment that you’ll probably be sweating in. Make sure you use oils so that your skin is properly hydrated while you tan. Otherwise, your dry skin may flake off, leaving nasty remnants all over the tanning bed. If you’re unsure of what oil you should be using, consult with your salon ahead of time. They’ll probably have some available to buy at the salon.
If you’re given a towel, be sure to wipe down your tanning bed before and after you use it. While there’s a good chance that your salon wipes down the beds after they’re used, it’s still proper etiquette to wipe it down yourself after you’re finished. No one wants to sit in your sweat!
Be Considerate of the Salon Staff
One thing you should keep in mind is that while the tanning salon workers are there to help you get ready for the summer, they’re also people, too. As with any service position, treat employees the way you’d want to be treated. Extend this mindset to scheduling your tanning appointments, too. Be considerate of busy periods at the salon, and if they aren’t able to fit you in on the day you were hoping for, don’t get overly upset.
If there’s still anything you’re feeling unsure about before your tanning appointment, just give your salon a call ahead of time. They should happily answer any questions you have for them. After all, they want your business, so, of course, they’ll want you to have a nice experience with them.
