Uneven patches, white pressure spots, and areas that just didn’t tan are almost always down to positioning and they’re avoidable with a few simple techniques.
Here’s everything you need to know to get the most even, all-over colour from every session.
The Recommended Tanning Position
The best way to lie in a tanning bed is on your back, with your arms held a few inches away from your sides and your palms facing upward. Keep a slight bend in your knees throughout the session.
Holding your arms away from your body prevents the inner arms from being pressed against your sides, where UV rays can’t reach. Turning your palms upward exposes the inner forearm, which is one of the most commonly missed areas.
The slight bend in the knees lifts the backs of your legs slightly away from the bed surface, reducing the white spots that so many people notice on the lower legs after a session.
Why Pressure Points Cause White Spots & How to Avoid
Wherever your body presses directly against the bed surface, UV rays simply can’t reach the skin. The result is patches that appear after a session, most commonly on the shoulder blades, tailbone, backs of both the thighs and the upper arms.
The most effective way to minimise pressure points is to shift your position midway through your session. Lift your arms above your head for a few minutes to expose the sides of the body and the underarms.
Make a small adjustment to your hip position, a subtle shift can make a difference to the lower back and tailbone area. You don’t need to make dramatic movements; small, deliberate adjustments throughout the session are enough to reduce uneven patches.
If pressure points are something you consistently struggle with, it’s worth looking into stand-up sunbeds, removing the bed surface eliminates problems with the pressure points, and many customers find alternating between lay-down and stand-up sessions gives them the most consistent all-over results. We cover this in more detail in our guide to stand-up vs lay-down sunbeds.
The Butterfly Position for Inner Thighs
The inner thighs are one of the trickiest areas to tan evenly in a lay-down bed, but the butterfly position can solve this
Bring the soles of your feet together and allow your knees to fall outward naturally, like a relaxed butterfly stretch. This opens up the inner thigh area and exposes it directly to the UV lamps above.
You don’t need to hold this position for the entire session; incorporating it for a few minutes, particularly in the first half of your session, makes a noticeable difference over time.
It’s a small adjustment, but for customers who have struggled to get even coverage on the inner legs, it’s often the best solution.
What Should You Do With Your Hair in a Tanning Bed?
If you leave your hair loose and lying flat against your back and shoulders, it will block UV rays from reaching the skin beneath, and the result is an uneven stripe down your back and across the top of the shoulders.
Before getting into the bed, pull your hair up completely; a soft bun, a clip, or anything that keeps it fully off the skin. Make sure the back of the neck is clear too, as hair sitting at the nape of the neck is another commonly missed spot.
For more on how to protect your hair in a sunbed, including what to do if you colour or chemically treat your hair, we’ve covered it in full detail.
Should You Flip Over During the Session?
Lying on your back consistently produces better results than flipping onto your stomach. When you lie face-down, the spine, hip bones, and shoulder blades all create pressure points that are difficult to avoid, and the results tend to be patchier and less even than back-facing sessions.
Staying on your back and using position adjustments; arms overhead, butterfly pose and hip shifts, gives far more even coverage than flipping over on your front does. Our team will always advise on the best approach for your individual needs when you visit.
A Few More Things Worth Knowing
- Remove jewellery before your session. Necklaces, bracelets, and rings can leave pale marks on the skin where they sit against the surface.
- Apply your moisturiser evenly before you lie down. Take a moment to make sure it’s fully blended, particularly around the knees, ankles, and elbows where skin tends to be drier.
- If you’re not already using a tanning accelerator, it’s worth considering, these are specifically formulated to support the skin’s melanin production process and help you build a tan more effectively.
- Follow recommended guidelines. Getting the most from a session isn’t about staying in longer, it’s about positioning correctly throughout. Our team will always advise on the right session plan for your skin type and where you are in your tanning journey. If you’re wondering how many sessions you need to build your colour, our guide to how many sunbed sessions it takes to get a tan is a useful starting point.
Your Tan Starts Here
Great tanning results don’t happen by accident. They come from the right equipment, products & guidance, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at The SunShine Co. Find your nearest tanning salon today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best position in a tanning bed?
Lie on your back with your arms a few inches away from your sides, palms facing upward, and a slight bend in your knees. This exposes the maximum surface area and reduces pressure points on the common problem areas.
How do you avoid pressure points in a sunbed?
Shift your position midway through your session; lift your arms above your head, adjust your hip position slightly, and use the butterfly pose for the inner thighs. Small adjustments throughout the session significantly reduce uneven patches caused by pressure points.
Should you flip over in a tanning bed?
How do I tan my inner thighs on a sunbed?
Use the butterfly position, bring the soles of your feet together and allow your knees to fall outward naturally. This exposes the inner thigh area directly to the UV lamps and is one of the most effective techniques for improving coverage in this area.
