Quick answer
There's no single right time, because sunbeds vary a lot in strength. As a beginner, use the shortest session the salon recommends for that particular sunbed and your skin type, check your skin over the next day, and never let it go red. If you have very fair skin that burns easily, UK health guidance says not to use a sunbed at all.
Why there's no one-size-fits-all time
You'll see fixed times quoted online, such as "start with 5 minutes". The problem is that sunbeds aren't all the same. The type, number and age of the lamps all change how much UV a session gives you, so a few minutes on one bed can be a lot stronger than the same time on another.
That's why the most reliable guide is the salon itself. Staff should know their equipment and be able to recommend a starting time for that specific sunbed, based on your skin.
How to work out your starting time
- Tell the salon it's your first time. Mention how your skin usually reacts to the sun: whether you burn, and how easily you tan.
- Ask for their recommended first-session time for the bed you're using, and start at the shortest end of it.
- Check your skin over the next 24 hours. Any redness, soreness, tightness or itching means it was too much. Don't go back until your skin has fully settled.
- Only build up gradually, and only if your skin hasn't gone red. More time doesn't mean more colour; your tan develops over several sessions.
Read more about how often you can use a sunbed and how many sessions it takes to tan.
Signs your session was too long
- Pink or red skin a few hours later
- Skin that feels hot, tight or sore
- Itching, or peeling over the next few days
Redness is sunburn, which is skin damage. If it happens, see what to do if you burn on a sunbed and shorten your time next session.
Who shouldn't use a sunbed at all
The UK Health Security Agency advises that people with very fair skin, people who burn easily and anyone who has had skin cancer should not use sunbeds. It's also illegal for under-18s to use one in a salon or other business. See who shouldn't use a sunbed for the full list.
Does lotion change how long you should tan?
No. A sunbed lotion can help keep your skin hydrated and support even colour, but it doesn't make a longer session any safer. Stick to the salon's time either way. If you're choosing your first lotion, start with our lotions for beginners and read do sunbed lotions really work?
