How often can you use a sunbed?

How often you can use a sunbed depends on a few factors. Most importantly, your skin type. Your goal, and whether you’re trying to build a tan or maintain a tan. As a general guide, leave at least 48 hours between sessions, and don’t go over the manufacturer’s recommended annual exposure. Your skin type ultimately determines how often you should use a sunbed, rather than the number of sessions.  

Whether you’ve got an upcoming holiday and want that pre-glow bronze to fly away with, or have a big event that you want to look glow-ready for, in this article, we cover the most asked question about how often you can and should use a sunbed, along with how long you should leave between tanning sessions, helping you find your perfect tanning routine.

What actually determines how often you should use a sunbed?

Whether you’ve never been on a sunbed before or are trying to build or maintain a tan, the most commonly asked question is how often you should actually be using a sunbed. And the answer? There is no fixed schedule that works for everyone; it depends on many factors, including your skin type, how your skin responds, and your stage.

If you’re completely new to sunbeds, the advice is to start slowly with a shorter session and build up gradually. Obviously, if you already have a base tan and your skin type allows it, an extra session a week might fit your plan to maintain your existing tan.

With the Tan Station-trained technicians, the initial skin-type registration and chat about your tanning requirements remove all the guesswork, so you can find a pace that is personalised and works for you.

A base tan typically lasts between 2 and 7 days without a top-up, depending on your skin type, the bed type you use, and aftercare.

Want to make your tan last longer? 

If you’re doing a one-off sunbed session, you can expect this base tan to be quite light, depending on your skin type, and it probably won’t last much longer than a week. Many factors can prolong or shorten this timeframe.

Once you reach your desired colour, maintaining your tan is easier than building it, and sessions shift to focusing on how to keep it. Read the dos and don’ts in our guide on how to make your sunbed tan last longer.

How long should you leave between sunbed sessions?

The first step if you’re new to tanning is a skin assessment to determine your skin type. It is important to determine what type of results you expect and the frequency that suits your skin. 

Your sunbed sessions should always be spaced to suit your skin and never back-to-back; as a general rule, allow at least 48 hours between each session. For skin types 3 and above with an existing base tan, 24 hours is the regulatory minimum, but more rest between sessions is always better than less.

The reason is simple. When your skin is exposed to UV, it triggers melanin production. This process doesn’t stop the moment you step off the sunbed. Your skin will continue to respond for up to 24-48 hours after a session. Tanning again before that process is complete means you’re not giving your skin enough time to fully recover, and you’re further layering on new exposure while it’s still reacting to the previous session.

This is why you may notice your tan looks noticeably darker the day following your sunbed session. Your skin is still working, and giving it that space to finish the process will produce a more even result than squeezing in extra sessions ever will.

At The Tan Station, we can track your sessions and spacing so you know exactly where you are, with our team checking your last visit before recommending your next session time.

Not sure what skin type you are? Read our skin type guide.

How many times a week can you use a sunbed?

This depends on where you are in your tanning journey. 

If you’re starting from scratch and want to build your tan, most skin types do well with 2-3 sessions per week, spaced at least 48 hours apart. So, for example, if you have a sunbed session on Monday, your next session would be Wednesday, 48 hours later. Remember, give your skin time to respond, recover, and fully develop colour between visits.

If maintaining your tan is your focus and you have already built one, 1-2 sessions a week are usually enough to keep that colour. Again, yep, it depends on your skin type! Some people find that once a week is sufficient, while others might add a mid-week top-up depending on how quickly their skin naturally sheds.

Having a sunbed session is not like going to the gym. More does not equal better. Your skin can only produce so much melanin in any given period, and once you reach that, additional UV exposure doesn’t build more colour but instead adds unnecessary exposure. Space your sessions properly. Always.

How quickly does your tan fade between sessions?

This varies, but for most people, a sunbed tan holds its colour for around 5–10 days before it starts to fade visibly. Your skin naturally sheds its outer layer on a roughly 28-day cycle, and since your tan sits in that outer layer, it gradually fades as new skin comes through.

A few things can speed this up, like hot showers, harsh body washes, heavy exfoliation, and dehydrated skin. And a few things can often slow it down, like consistent moisturising, using a tan extender between sessions, and staying hydrated.

If you’re spacing your sessions at 2–3 per week during the building phase, you’re topping up colour before it has time to noticeably fade. Once you move to maintenance (1–2 sessions per week), you might notice slight fading between visits, which is normal and a sign your spacing is about right.

For a deeper dive into the products and habits that keep your tan looking fresh between visits, check out our guide on how to make your sunbed tan last longer.

What does a good tanning routine look like?

If you want a straightforward framework to follow, here’s what a typical tanning routine looks like across four stages, from your first visit through to long-term maintenance.

Week 1–2: Introduction

2 sessions per week, 48 hours apart. Short sessions based on your skin type assessment. You’re getting your skin used to UV and starting the melanin response. Don’t expect dramatic colour yet, as this is the foundation.

Week 3–4: Building

2–3 sessions per week, still 48 hours apart. Session times may increase slightly based on how your skin responded in weeks 1–2. This is where visible colour starts to develop for most skin types.

Week 5 onwards: Deepening

Deeper colour often occurs after 2–3 sessions per week. At this point, your skin has a base, and each session builds on it rather than starting from scratch. Your team member may adjust your session time or suggest trying a different bed to vary the result.

Ongoing: Maintenance

Once you’re happy with your tan, you could drop to 1–2 sessions per week. Some people settle into a rhythm of one session every 5-7 days, while others prefer twice-weekly sessions, often in the winter. The right frequency is whichever keeps your colour where you want it without overexposure.

Using the right lotion can also make a noticeable difference in how your tan develops and lasts. Our team can recommend a product to match your skin type; just ask at reception or check out our tanning creams and lotions.

Check our session pricing to find the right package for your routine.

Frequently asked questions