First Time on a Sunbed? Here's How Long You Should Stay On

Walking into a tanning salon for the first time can feel a bit daunting if you don't know what to expect. One of the most common questions we get from first-timers is simple: how long should I actually stay on the bed? Here's a clear, no-nonsense answer.

Start short — much shorter than you'd think

For a first session, most salons recommend somewhere between 3 and 6 minutes, depending on your skin type and the strength of the sunbed. This might sound like barely anything, especially if you're picturing a long, relaxing tanning session — but it's the right approach. Your skin has had no UV exposure to build any tolerance, so a short session is about safely testing how your skin responds.

Skipping this step and going straight for a long session is the single biggest cause of first-time sunburn, and it can put people off sunbeds entirely when really it was just a case of going in too hard, too soon.

How session length is usually decided

A good salon won't just hand you a timer and send you off. Staff should ask about your skin type, whether you burn easily, and whether you've used sunbeds before. From there:

• Very fair skin, prone to burning: 3–4 minutes for a first session

• Medium skin tone, tans moderately easily: 5–6 minutes for a first session

• Naturally olive or darker skin tone: still worth starting around 6–8 minutes, even though you may feel you could handle longer

This isn't about being overly cautious for the sake of it — it's simply how melanin-building works. Short controlled exposure gives your skin information it needs to respond and adapt before the next session.

What happens after your first session

Don't expect a deep tan from one short session — that's not the point of it. The first session is about preparing your skin, not maximising colour. You may notice a very slight warmth to your skin colour within a day or so. The real colour builds over your next few visits as you gradually increase time, following the schedule we cover in our guide on tanning frequency.

Things that affect how long you should stay on

• Skin type and how easily you tan or burn

• Whether you're using a stand-up or lie-down bed (intensity can differ)

• How recently you last had any sun or sunbed exposure

• Any skincare products or medications that increase photosensitivity — always mention these to staff

Aftercare for your first session

Moisturise within a few hours of your session to support your skin and help any colour develop evenly. Avoid hot showers immediately afterwards, as they can dry out skin that's just been exposed to UV. And don't be tempted to go back the next day — give your skin the 24 to 48 hours it needs before your second session.

First time trying sunbeds? Our staff at THE GLO HUB STAFFS will always talk you through timing based on your skin type before your first session — no guesswork, no pressure. Conveniently based in Cellarhead, serving Stoke, Leek, Newcastle-under-Lyme and the surrounding areas. Pop in or book online.