Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some popular questions regarding tanning.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please do contact us anytime!
Do I need to make an appointment to Tan?
No appointments are required to tan in our beds. We have approximately 17 tanning beds at each location so you should be able to walk in and tan whenever you like. However, there are some peak times during our busy season (February – May), in which you may have a short wait of a few minutes. Please note we DO require appointments for our Custom Air Brush Spray Tans, which you can schedule by calling our City Line Plaza location at 309-797-2930 or if you prefer, we also offer our Mystic Spray Booth at either location which is done on walk-in only basis.
How old do I have to be to Tan?
The state of Illinois public Health department states that all tanners must be 18 years of age to tan in UV beds. Tanners under the age of 18 can utilize any of our spray tanning services such as the Mystic Spray booth or our custom air brush method.
How often can I tan?
The Illinois Department of Public Health states that the first six tans at our salon must be a minimum of every other day or 48 hours. After your first six initial tans with us you can then tan every 24 hours, if you like. However, please note that if it has been less than 24 hours since your last tan with us, we will NOT be able to allow you to tan.
What should I wear in the tanning bed?
All of our tanning rooms are completely private, so you can wear whatever you are most comfortable in or wear nothing at all. The only thing you are required to wear is FDA approved protective eyewear, which is required by law. Simply closing your eyes while you tan is not enough, because the skin on your eyelids is not thick enough to protect your eyes from UV damage. We sell a variety of FDA approved eyewear and one of our staff members can help you choose which style is best for you.
Why should I use an Indoor Tanning Lotion?
The lotions we sell at Mango Bay are specifically designed to be used while tanning indoors. By using a professional indoor lotion you can help stimulate the melanin in your skin so you get tan faster, keep your tan longer and get darker results. Another benefit of using a professional indoor lotion is that many of them contain extra moisturizers, vitamins and minerals which help keep your skin looking its absolute best! At Mango Bay we do not allow any oils to be used while tanning in our beds and prefer if you bring in a lotion from somewhere else you ask a staff member if it’s ok to use in our beds. Oil based lotions can cause damage to the acrylics in the beds. If you’re not sure which type of lotion is right for you, our staff will be happy to take the time and explain the different features and benefits of all of our products to you so you will be able to select a lotion that gets you the results you are looking for.
How do I know the tanning bed is clean?
We use a hospital grade FDA approved cleaning disinfectant after every customer’s tanning session. Our Staff members are trained on how to properly clean and sanitize the beds after each tanner. We always leave a sign on the bed letting you know it’s ready for use. Should you have any questions about our sanitizing procedures please feel free to speak with one of our salon Managers.
If I buy a tanning package at one location, am I only able to tan at that location?
You are welcome to tan at either of our locations. Our computers are dynamically linked so each location will have access to your tanning history and information. However, you still must follow the State of Illinois Public Health guidelines listed above.
Can I tan if I’m pregnant?
There is no concrete evidence that says expectant mothers cannot tan, however we suggest you speak with your doctor regarding tanning during your pregnancy. Furthermore, for liability reasons we require written permission from your doctor before we will allow you to tan.
How often do you Change the bulbs in your beds?
We follow the recommendations by the bulb manufacturers and replace bulbs once they reach approximately 80% of their capacity. Once we change the bulbs in a bed we will advise you to reduce your normal tanning time to avoid getting burned.