Tingle sunbed cream

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If you’re a fan of sunbeds, you may have considered using tingle sunbed cream to speed up your tan. But what does tingle cream actually do, and is it safe to use? The Mix answers a question from a member of our community to explain what sunbed cream is all about.

“I use a sunbed for a few minutes each week and I apply a ‘tingle’ cream for a faster tan. The cream makes me feel like I’m burning, but I’ve been told this is only a sensation and it isn’t dangerous. Is this true?”

What does tingle sunbed cream do?

Tingle creams work as tan accelerators. They stimulate blood flow, which can help to speed up the tanning process. Some people find the resulting tingling sensation pleasant, whereas others with more sensitive skin do not. The sensation is generally described as hot, and sometimes itchy, lasting for up to an hour.

How safe is tingle sunbed cream?

Sunbed cream itself is not dangerous, but sunbeds are. Since sunbed lotion speeds up the tanning process, the amount of time spent on a sunbed should be reduced, otherwise you’ll be increasing the risks from exposure to high levels of UV (ultraviolet) rays used in a sunbed.

Whether you use a sunbed with tingle cream or not, there are still health risks. Read more about the dangers in our article ‘are sunbeds safe’ here.

If you’re still concerned about the risks of tingle tanning lotion, or you’re getting a lasting rash from using the creams, we would advise that you discuss it further with your doctor (GP).

More information on sun safety<

Too much exposure to the sun and the use of sunbeds has a proven link to skin cancer. To learn how to avoid increasing your risk, take a look at our article on sun safety and skin cancer here.

Take a look at the rest of The Mix’s ‘your body’ articles here.