Platinum sunbed aftercare: 48-hour do’s & don’ts
By Ohana Sun Tanning | September 15, 2026
Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria, Paradise Valley, and Cave Creek
The #1 rule after your Platinum - Sunbed Single Tans is simple: keep your skin cool and hydrated for the next 48 hours. One reviewer told us a bed with a “very very heavy” lid felt claustrophobic, and we switched them into a different bed that felt “great”. That same care applies after your tan too. If something feels off, we want to know, and we’ll help you protect your color and your comfort here in Phoenix.
Your first 24 to 48 hours: sweat, heat, and “patchy fade” prevention
Right after a Platinum session, we generally recommend you treat your skin like it’s in a “settle in” window. In North Phoenix and the Deer Valley area near Union Hills Drive and 32nd Street, heat and dry air can pull moisture out of your skin fast, and that’s when tans tend to fade unevenly.
48-hour priority list: skip heavy sweating, skip hot baths and saunas, keep showers lukewarm, moisturize twice a day, and use SPF if you’re outside.
Showering: yes, but keep it gentle
People ask us, “Should you shower after tanning bed?” Yes. Just don’t turn it into a long, steamy reset. Aim for a shorter, lukewarm shower. Pat dry instead of rubbing your towel back and forth, since friction is a sneaky way to speed up fading.
Workout timing matters in Phoenix
If your normal routine is a midday walk, a hike, golf, or errands in the sun, try to shift it earlier or later for a day or two. Sweat doesn’t just “fade” a tan. It can dry on the skin and leave you with that uneven, salty look. If you do have to sweat, rinse off soon after and moisturize again.
Days 3 to 7: keep the glow, don’t strip it
A Platinum - Sunbed Single Tan is a quick session, about 15 minutes, but your maintenance is what keeps the bronze looking even. We see a lot of people get a great color, then accidentally sand it off with the wrong body care in the first week.
Skip exfoliation for 3 to 7 days. That includes scrubs, exfoliating gloves, and anything marketed as “polishing.”
Pause strong actives. Hold retinol and alpha/beta hydroxy acids for at least a few days so your skin barrier stays calm.
Avoid chlorine and hot tubs for 24 to 48 hours when you can. If you swim, rinse gently right after and moisturize again.
And give your skin breathing room between sessions. We generally suggest waiting 24 to 48 hours before your next sun bed visit, especially if you run dry or sensitive. If you’re not sure what timing makes sense for you, we’ll talk it through at the counter.
Moisturizer, SPF, and the “don’t overdo it” routine
If you only do one thing for your tanning beds aftercare, moisturize consistently. People also ask us, “What should I put on after tanning bed?” Keep it simple and gentle for the first week.
- Moisturize twice daily with a fragrance-free, alcohol-free lotion. Ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and aloe are usually a good match.
- Drink water like it’s part of your aftercare. Phoenix dryness shows up on skin fast.
- Use SPF before sun exposure. Sun can irritate and dry the surface, and that can make your tan look rough sooner.
Tip we repeat a lot: if it tingles, stings, or smells strongly perfumed, don’t put it on freshly tanned skin right away.
When to call us, and how we’ll help you adjust
Most of the time, post-tan questions are simple. “My skin feels dry.” “I got a little itchy.” “I’m worried I’m fading unevenly.” That’s exactly the moment to reach out before you try three random products and end up more irritated.
“Just started going & love this place! You can tell the owner cares about the customer experience unlike a lot of these tanning chains”
one of our recent first-time visitors
If you notice irritation, pause tanning and talk with us. If something about a specific bed setup doesn’t feel comfortable, let us know that too. We’ve had people tell us a different bed made all the difference, and we’d rather adjust you into a better fit than have you dread your next visit.
Quick reminder for North Phoenix: early-morning or evening appointments help you avoid that midday heat spike, which tends to mean less sweat and a cleaner fade.
Want to plan your next visit? Start with our Sunbed Single Tans guide for North Phoenix, then we’ll fine-tune your timing in person.
Stop by: 3230 East Union Hills Drive, Suite 105, Phoenix, AZ 85050 | Call: +16025694624 | Email: tan@ohanasuntanning.com
Platinum - Sunbed Single Tans details (so you can plan)
Platinum - Sunbed Single Tans
15 minutes | $35
A premium tanning session designed to help you build a deeper, longer-lasting bronze glow in one visit. Your aftercare, especially moisturizing in Phoenix’s dry climate, is what keeps that color looking smooth.