UV damage/burning
Burning is caused by overexposure and leads to inflammation and damage of the skin. When skin is burned, free radicals are produced, and these are the culprits in premature aging. Burning is to be avoided at all costs, as repeated overexposure can lead to increased risk of long-term effects. Symptoms include: redness, blistering, and in extreme cases, sun poisoning, which can cause flu-like symptoms.

How to avoid it:
• Do not exceed the Solar Typing recommendations.
• Use SPF lotions when outdoors
• Try not to stay outdoors for long periods of time until you have established your base tan.
• Do not tan outside on the same day as your visit to the salon.

But if you do burn:
• Immediately apply a burn therapy product such as Heliotherapy's Insurance, and follow with extra moisturizer.
• When you bathe, use cool water until the burn is healed.
• Do not tan until all signs of the burn have been gone for at least 48 hours.
• If you burn in a specific area (i.e. center of chest or sensitive areas not usually exposed...) use a light SPF on the area the next time you tan, or cover it with a towel for a portion of the session.

UV damage/over-tanning
Another form of overexposure is over-tanning, which can cause the "leathery" look that some tanning addicts develop over time. Over-tanning damages your skin and leads to increased risk of long term effects. Remember, tanning is not intended to change your skin color dramatically. Your perfect tan is directly related to your skin type; if you are Norwegian, you should not expect to achieve the same level of color as your Hispanic friends.

How to avoid it:
• Never tan more often than every other day. If you have questions about how often you should tan, see our tanning schedule guide.
• Use skin type, common sense and moderation as your guides when deciding on your tanning goals.