For most people, a sunbed session lasts between 3 and 12 minutes depending on your skin type, where you are in your tanning journey, and the specific bed you’re using.
First-time tanners should always start at the shorter end of that range and build gradually, the exact time for any given session should be confirmed with the salon based on their equipment.
Here’s a full breakdown of how session length works and how to get the most from each visit.
Why There's No Single Answer
Session length isn’t one-size-fits-all and anyone who gives you a single number without knowing your skin type or the bed you’re using is oversimplifying it.
Three things determine how long your session should be:
Your skin type: fairer skin produces less melanin and responds to UV more quickly, which means shorter sessions at lower intensities. Deeper skin tones can handle longer sessions without the same risk of overdoing it.
Your tanning stage: a first session should always be shorter than a session six weeks into a routine. As your skin builds colour and melanin production increases, sessions can be extended gradually.
The bed you’re using: UV output varies significantly between bed types and models. A session on a lower-output lay-down bed is very different from the same time on a high-intensity stand-up booth. This is why the salon team’s guidance matters, they know their equipment.
Medication: Certain medications can increase your skin’s sensitivity to UV, which may mean shorter sessions are more appropriate, always inform the salon if you’re on any medication before your session.
Your First Session: Where to Start
If you’ve never used a sunbed before, starting shorter than you think you need to is always the right call.
Your skin hasn’t been exposed to controlled UV before and you have no way of knowing exactly how it will respond until after the session.
As a general starting point, we suggest:
- Skin Type II (fair): 3 minutes to start
- Skin Type III (medium): 4 minutes to start
- Skin Type IV (olive): 5 minutes to start
- Skin Type V–VI (brown to dark): 5 to 6 minutes to start
These are starting points only, always check with the salon based on the specific bed you’ll be using, as equipment output varies between models and salons. Our full guide to using a tanning bed covers what to expect at your first session in detail.
Building Your Sessions Gradually
Once you’ve had a couple of sessions with your skin responding well and developing colour without redness, you can start to increase your session length incrementally. Adding roughly one minute per session as you progress is a sensible approach.
The colour from a session continues to develop for up to 48 hours after you leave the bed, so it’s worth giving each session time to fully show before deciding whether to increase your time at the next one.
If you’re not sure how many sessions it will take to build the colour you’re after, our guide to how many sunbed sessions you need to get a tan breaks it down by skin type.
Using a tanning accelerator can also help your skin respond more effectively during each session, meaning you can achieve a deeper result from the same amount of time rather than needing to keep extending your sessions.
Session Length by Skin Type and Stage
The table below gives a general guide to session lengths at each stage of your tanning journey. These are a general guide, your salon will advise the specific times for their equipment.
*Swipe left to see on mobile.
| Skin Type | First Session | Building | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type II (Fair) | 3 mins | Up to 6 mins | 4–6 mins |
| Type III (Medium) | 4 mins | Up to 8 mins | 6–8 mins |
| Type IV (Olive) | 5 mins | Up to 10 mins | 8–10 mins |
| Type V–VI (Brown to dark) | 5–6 mins | Up to 12 mins | 10–12 mins |
Maintenance Sessions: Do You Need the Full Time?
Once you’ve built your colour and you’re tanning to maintain rather than develop, you don’t always need to go back to maximum session length. Many regular tanners find that slightly shorter sessions at a consistent frequency keep their colour just as effectively as longer, less frequent visits.
Consistency tends to matter more than duration at the maintenance stage, a 6 minute session twice a week will typically hold your colour better than a 10 minute session once a fortnight.
For guidance on how often to tan at the maintenance stage, our guide to how many times a week you can use a sunbed covers the full picture.
And if you want to understand how long your colour will actually last between sessions, our guide to how long a sunbed tan lasts is worth a read.
How Bed Type Affects Session Length
The type of bed you use has a direct impact on how long your session should be, and it’s one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of sunbed tanning.
Stand-up booths typically use higher-wattage lamps and deliver more intense UV output, which means sessions tend to run shorter than on a lay-down bed. Lay-down beds provide a more gradual UV exposure over a longer session.
Both can deliver excellent results, the right choice depends on your preference, skin type, and how much time you have. Our stand-up vs lay-down tanning guide covers the full comparison.
The 60 Sessions a Year Limit
In line with the European Standard, it is advised not to exceed 60 sunbed sessions per year. This is worth keeping in mind when planning your routine, particularly if you’re tanning frequently during summer and want to maintain your colour through the rest of the year.
At 2–3 sessions per week, 60 sessions equates to roughly 5–6 months of active tanning. Spacing sessions thoughtfully across the year and using your routine to maintain rather than constantly rebuild will help you stay well within that.
It’s also worth noting that tanning outdoors on the same day as a sunbed session isn’t recommended, combining indoor and outdoor UV exposure on the same day makes it harder to track how much your skin has received in total.
When to Ask the Salon
Session length is ultimately something your salon team is best placed to advise on. They know the UV output of their specific beds, they can assess your skin type, and they can adjust their recommendation based on how your skin is progressing.
At The SunShine Co., our team across all salons is on hand to help you work out the right session length for where you are in your tanning journey, whether it’s your very first visit or you’re a regular looking to refine your routine. Walk in whenever suits you and we’ll take it from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a sunbed session be for a first timer?
How long is a typical sunbed session?
Can I extend my session if I'm not seeing results?
Does a longer session mean a better tan?
Not necessarily. Going beyond what your skin needs at a given stage doesn’t produce more colour, it just means your skin has had more UV exposure than required. Building gradually and consistently produces better results than long sessions early on.
How do I know when to increase my session length?
How long should I wait between sessions?
It’s recommended to have a minimum of 24 hours between sessions, and at least 48 hours for fairer skin types. Our guide to how many times a week you can use a sunbed covers frequency in full.
Your Session, Your Pace
Building a great tan is about starting right and progressing steadily, not spending as long as possible in bed from day one.
Whenever you’re ready, the team at The SunShine Co. are on hand to advise on the right session length for your skin type and our specific equipment. No booking needed, just walk in. Find your nearest salon.
