FAQs and Contact
UV Tanning FAQs
Using our Tanning Equipment
How old do I have to be to tan?
By law, you must be 18 years or older to use UV tanning equipment. Our attendants follow the Challenge 25 protocol. If your are attending during non attended hours, you will be asked to produce ID at the self service kiosk to allow you to use our tanning equipment.
What is tanning?
Tanning is a natural process whereby the skin produces a dark coloured pigment called melanin after it has been exposed to UV light.
Can I tan?
Most of us can achieve a tan safely and responsibly without the risk of burning when exposed to UV light from both sunbeds and in natural sunlight.
What should I wear to tan?
Some people choose to wear swimwear or underwear but because of the privacy of your own private, most tan nude to avoid tan lines.
Do I need to use an SPF?
Because you are taking a controlled session according to your skin type, you do not need to use a sun protection factor cream. Using one during your session will inhibit your results.
What are tanning accelerators?
Tanning accelerators speed up the tanning process by maximising the amount of UV light your skin can absorb in the session. They also add the nutrients your skin needs to produce melanin, the brown pigment we know as a tan. All of the accelerators in our vending machine are approved, top salon quality products to help you to achieve your goals. Some accelerators also contain small amounts of bronzer to give you a natural glow whilst your tan develops.
Is indoor tanning as effective as outdoor tanning?
Yes, in fact, because you are in a controlled environment, indoor tanning lets you personalise your exposure times according to your skin type giving you great tanning results without the risk of burning.
Why is Hamilton Tanning different?
Our beds follow safe tanning guidelines and set to a safe limit of 0.3, which has been likened to sunbathing in the Mediterranean at midday. This achieves a deeper, darker and longer lasting tan without the risk of burning. You have the convenience of tanning at any time, whether a consultant is in attendance or not.
How long will it take before I see results?
To build a great looking tan, you must start off with a few sessions a week according to your skin type. Everyone will see results at a different pace but you should start to see colour after your first couple of sessions building quickly after your first 4 or 5. Once you have achieved the tan you desire, taking a session up once or twice a week will keep your tan topped up perfectly.
How do I keep my tan?
Moisturising and taking regular tanning sessions with an accelerator will ensure your results do not fade. Also ensuring you drink plenty of water will ensure you are hydrated and skin is in great condition.
How much time should I leave between tanning sessions?
The FDA requires 24 hours between tanning sessions. At Hamilton Tanning, we have placed preventative measures to ensure your account is restricted to tanning only once a day.
Do I have to wear eye protection?
It is extremely important you wear UV eye protection during every tanning session to protect your eyes from the rays. At Hamilton Tanning, we sell reusable goggles in our vending machines so you only need to purchase them once.
How long should I tan for?
To achieve your goals responsibly, it is important to understand your skin type and adjust your session times, accordingly, building up your minutes, once a tan has been achieved. Our own TanSoft Uk software will help you assess your skin type upon registration or one of our trained consultants can assist you. Here you will be provided with an introductory program to ensure safe tanning measures are adhered to dependent on your skin type.
How do I control the sunbed?
Our sun beds are incredibly easy to use and will automatically start 3.5 minutes after payment has been made. There is no need to press start or stop unless you wish to immediately stop the bed before the end of the session. Inside the sunbed, you will seean easy to use control panel to adjust the ventilation, facial tanners, music and volume.
Do I shut the lid entirely?
Yes, pull it down as far as it will go to get even coverage from the tubes on the top and the bottom. There will always still be a gap, and you cannot get stuck inside. Don't worry, there are not final destination scenes in our studio. If you feel uncomfortable, press the assistance button (even if the studio is unattended, a director will be soon available to assist you).
Should I lay still or move around?
At Hamilton Tanning, our beds are large enough to move around, and we encourage you to do so to get a more even tan as you would sunbathing outside.
How do I become a member?
Becoming a member is free, quick, and easy. All you need to do is come in store and use our self-service software at the kiosk to register. Ensure you bring ID and a bank card as you will need to complete our identification process to allow you access into our tanning cabins.
What do I need to bring to sign up?
By law, you must be 18 years or over to use our UV tanning facilities. Please bring a photo driving licence or passport to prove you are of the correct age, showing our attendant or scanning it through our self-service kiosk.
What if I need help outside of staffing hours?
We have helping hand assistance buttons found in each of our cubicles which act as panic alarms to raise the alarm if you feel unwell or in need of emergency assistance.
How do I use the facilities?
Once you are a member, you will have been set up with your own personal log in and PIN code. ONLY YOU MAY USE THIS. NOT FOLLOWING THIS AGREEMENT WILL RESULT IN A REMOVAL OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP.
What is the maximum weight for sunbeds?
The max weight for the beds is 135kg.
How do I pay?
Hamilton Tanning is cashless; you can pay via card or purchase one of our added-value top-ups at our self-service kiosk and later through our portal.
Spray Tanning
What should I expect?
We will ask you to get undressed whilst we wait outside.
Make sure you remove all jewellery as well.
Protect your hair. We will give you a hair net to put on to cover your hair but beware, you'll be looking like Noddy with your ears on show!
The therapist will then go through the colour you’d like to achieve. This is your chance to explain what you would like and how dark you’d like to go.
The therapist will then put some barrier cream on your hands, feet, elbows and knees, resulting in a nice even finish across the whole of your body.
You will then be asked to adopt the first position in the tanning tent (which the therapist will show you). We will then start to apply the tan using a spray gun. It will feel cold, so prepare yourself! You will need to stay as still as possible whilst we spray.
You will then be directed into different positions to ensure we can get a full and even coverage all over your body. When it comes to your face, we will ask you to close your eyes and hold your breath for a few seconds
Once we have finished spraying. You will need to dry off for a minute or two, so just remain in the tent until we ask you to get dressed.
Bring loose fitting, dark clothes. No bras, skinny jeans, socks… bring flip flops or sliders.
You will need to allow time for the tan to develop, normally it is 6-8 hours or 3-4 for express. The tan will get darker over this time, so it is best not to plan anything for the rest of the day unless you have gone for the clear tan.
When you shower after the appropriate development time. You will notice the water turns brown and you may worry you are washing off all of your tan! Don't, we use ingredients, which allows our tanning consultants to see the parts they have already sprayed over.
Do not scrub or use any kind of exfoliating or abrasive products, just use moisturising shower gel with your hands to wash the skin.
Always remember to moisturise! Healthy moisturized skin helps the tan last longer!
When the tan starts to fade (usually after 5-7 days) you may notice it becomes patchy, gently exfoliate your whole body to ensure a more even fade.
Get in touch
Telephone: +447544076066
E-mail: hello@hamiltontanning.com
Address: 44 Fore Street, St. Austell, PL25 5ER, Cornwall