You can wear whatever makes you most comfortable, a swimsuit or underwear, to nothing at all. The most important thing is that whatever you choose, you feel at ease, and that any areas you want tanned are exposed.
Beyond that, there are a couple of things you should always wear regardless of your preference, and a few things worth removing before you get started.
Your Clothing Options
Tanning Nude
The most popular choice for regular tanners is to go completely nude. Without any fabric in the way, you get seamless, all-over colour with no tan lines to worry about.
It also means you’re not restricted to covering the same areas every time, giving you complete flexibility over your look.
Swimwear
A bikini or swimming costume is a great option if you prefer some coverage or want to maintain specific tan lines.
For example, if you’re heading on holiday and want your tan to match a swimsuit you’ll be wearing. Go for thin straps or a strapless style where possible to avoid patchy or uneven lines across the shoulders.
Underwear
Standard underwear works fine if that’s what you’re comfortable in. Bear in mind that thicker fabrics or wider waistbands will block UV rays completely in those areas, so your tan will follow the exact shape of what you’re wearing. If consistency matters to you, stick with the same underwear each session.
Whatever you choose, any fabric will block UV rays and create a defined edge where your tan stops, so it’s worth thinking about the look you’re going for before you decide.
Do I Change What I Wear In Lay-Down Beds vs Stand-Up Booths?
Worth knowing if you use both: the type of bed you’re in can affect how your tan develops depending on what you’re wearing.
In a lay-down bed, you’re in contact with the surface beneath you, which means areas like your lower back, backs of thighs, and shoulder blades receive less direct UV than the rest of your body. If you’re wearing underwear or a swimsuit, the pressure of lying down can also push fabric into different positions mid-session, causing uneven lines.
In a stand-up booth, you’re upright with your arms raised, which means UV reaches all areas more evenly and fabric sits more predictably. This makes stand-up booths slightly more forgiving if you’re tanning in swimwear, though the same principle applies: whatever fabric covers your skin, that area won’t tan.
At The Sunshine Co., our beds are cleaned between every session. Wipes are also available in the room if you’d like to give the bed a quick clean before or after your session for your own peace of mind.
What You Must Always Wear
Regardless of what else you choose to wear or remove, there are two things that should always be part of your session:
Protective Eyewear
Always wear the UV-protective goggles or disposable eye shields provided by your salon. Closing your eyes is not sufficient, as eyelids do not block UV rays adequately.
The Sunbed Association recommends wearing approved, close-fitting goggles for every session without exception. At The Sunshine Co., disposable eye protection stickers are always available at reception, so there’s no reason to skip it.
SPF Lipbalm
Lips don’t tan, they’re sensitive to UV exposure and can dry out during a session. Apply an SPF lip balm before you get in. It’s a small detail that makes a real difference to how your lips feel afterwards.
What to Remove Before Your Session
A few things are worth taking off before you step in, purely because they’ll affect how your tan develops:
Jewellery
Makeup & Fake Tan
Makeup can act as a barrier to UV rays, leading to patchy or uneven colour. Remove it fully before your session.
Similarly, if you have an existing fake tan on your skin, this can absorb UV unevenly and affect the results. It’s worth going into your session with clean, product-free skin for the best outcome.
Perfume & Scented Body Products
Fragrances and scented lotions can react with UV rays and leave uneven marks on the skin. Make sure you’re not wearing any perfume or scented product on your skin before your session.
What to Wear to & From the Salon
This one’s easy to overlook, but it does make a difference. After a session, your skin is warm and more sensitive than usual, so tight clothing; particularly tight waistbands, socks, or anything with elastic, can leave pressure marks or uneven lines on freshly tanned skin.
Wear loose, breathable clothing to your session and back. A loose cotton t-shirt and relaxed-fit trousers or shorts is ideal. Dark colours are a practical choice too, as some tanning lotions or accelerators can transfer onto light fabrics.
Prep Your Skin Before You Go
One of the most effective things you can do before a session is make sure your skin is properly prepared. Well-moisturised skin tans more evenly, develops colour more effectively, and holds onto that colour for longer.
Exfoliating a day or two before your session removes dead skin cells that can cause patchy or uneven fading, giving you a smoother, more consistent result. Follow that up with a good moisturiser, and consider using a tanning accelerator to help your skin respond as effectively as possible during the session itself.
The Sunshine Co. stocks a range of tanning accelerators designed to work alongside your sessions, and if you haven’t tried one before, single-use sachets are available in salons so you can test before you commit.
If you’re new to sunbed tanning and wondering how many sessions it takes to build a base tan, take a look at our guide to how many sunbed sessions you need to get a tan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you wear in a tanning bed?
You can wear whatever you’re comfortable in, nude, swimwear, or underwear all work. The key is that any fabric will block UV rays and create tan lines in those areas, so think about the coverage and look you’re going for before you decide.
Do you have to be naked in a tanning bed?
No, it’s entirely your choice. Many people prefer to tan nude to avoid tan lines and get all-over coverage, but swimwear or underwear is absolutely fine if you’d prefer some coverage.
What should you always wear in a tanning bed?
Should you remove jewellery before a sunbed session?
Yes, remove all jewellery before your session. Metal heats up under UV and can leave white marks or pressure indentations on the skin.
Can you wear makeup in a tanning bed?
Does it matter what you wear after a tanning session?
Yes, after a session your skin is warm, so tight clothing can leave pressure marks. Wear loose, breathable clothing to and from the salon. For a full guide on making the most of every session, see our best sunbed routine.
Find Your Nearest SunShine Co. Salon
Now you know exactly what to wear, what to bring, and how to prep, all that’s left is booking your first session. The SunShine Co. has salons with both lay-down and stand-up options available. Find your nearest salon today.
