Nothing kills the vibe faster than walking into a tanning salon and seeing a sketchy-looking bed. You know what we’re talking about... streaks on the acrylic, a weird smell, that uneasy “did they really clean this after the last person?” feeling. Ew.
But hygiene in tanning salons isn’t just about keeping up appearances. It’s way more than that. We're talking about your skin health, your safety, and even the quality of your tan. Yeah, dirty beds can totally mess with your color.
So whether you're a regular bronzer, a once-in-a-while glower, or someone curious about hopping into a tanning bed at spray tan Jax beach salon for the first time, here's the deal with why clean, well-maintained beds actually matter.
A Clean Bed = A Better Tan. Period.
Here’s something not everyone realizes: tanning beds that aren’t cleaned properly can leave behind residue—oils, lotions, dead skin cells, and yep, bacteria. All of that gunk can act like a barrier between your skin and the UV light. Which means? You’re not getting the full effect of your session.
Your tan ends up looking patchy, uneven, or dull. And let’s be honest, who’s got time for a bad tan in 2025?
Salons that take hygiene seriously know this. They clean and sanitize after every session, not just for your safety, but to give you that flawless, even glow that actually lasts.
Dennis Ligon, owner of Sundays Sun Spa Shop, puts it simply:
“Clean beds don’t just protect your skin—they boost the performance of every single session. If we’re not cleaning properly, we’re literally cheating our clients out of the tan they came for.”
The Germ Factor Is Real
Look, I hate to get gross, but we need to go there for a second.
Tanning beds are warm. They’re enclosed. And people sweat in them. That makes them the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fungi, and all kinds of skin-irritating nightmares if the salon isn’t on top of their cleaning game.
Things like folliculitis (those annoying red bumps that look like acne), ringworm (yes, it’s real), or even just general rashes can happen when beds aren’t properly disinfected. Especially when they’re getting high traffic.
This is why most reputable spray tan Jacksonville FL salons use hospital-grade disinfectants that are specifically designed to kill bacteria and viruses without damaging the bed materials. And they’re not just spraying and wiping—they’re waiting the proper contact time before letting anyone else in.
Anything less is a red flag.
Acrylics & Lamps: Maintenance Isn’t Optional
Now, let’s talk about the bed itself—not just how clean it looks, but how well it’s working.
The acrylic surface (the part you lie on) needs to be crystal clear. Over time, it can get cloudy or scratched, and that can actually block UV rays or diffuse them unevenly. Again, bad tan.
Then there are the lamps. UV bulbs degrade over time. Most tanning beds need their bulbs replaced after 500-800 hours of use, depending on the type. If a salon isn’t tracking those hours and replacing lamps regularly, your session might feel like a waste. You lie there for 12 minutes and come out... still pale? That’s probably an old lamp issue.
Dennis even mentioned that they log lamp hours religiously at Sundays Sun Spa Shop, swapping them out before performance starts to drop.
“We’d rather change lamps a little early than wait too long and have clients walk out disappointed,” he says.
“Tanning is part science, part trust. Maintenance earns that trust.”
What You Can Do as a Client
You shouldn’t have to play detective every time you go to tan, but being aware of a few simple things can help you spot a good salon vs. a careless one:
Beds should be wiped down and spotless every single time.
There should be a fresh, not funky smell when you walk in.
Ask the staff how often they replace bulbs—if they hesitate, that’s not a great sign.
If they use single-use eye protection or offer disposables, that’s a hygiene plus.
Bonus points if they clean the acrylic in front of you. Transparency is always reassuring.
The Bottom Line: Cleanliness Isn’t Just a “Nice to Have”
In today’s tanning world, clients expect more—and they deserve more. Clean beds, properly maintained equipment, and a salon that takes pride in how it treats its space? That’s not extra. That’s baseline.
The next time you book a session, think beyond just the color you want. Think about how that salon handles hygiene and upkeep. Because when they get that right, everything else falls into place: the tan looks better, lasts longer, and your skin stays happy.
And that, my friends, is the glow-up we’re all after.
