At Flamingo Bay our priority is simple — customer safety and hygiene.
For this reason, the use of outside tanning lotions and especially tingle creams is not permitted inside the salon.
This policy exists to protect both customers and the equipment you use.
What Is Tingle Cream ?
Tingle creams contain strong circulation stimulants (commonly benzyl nicotinate or similar agents).
These chemicals force blood to the skin’s surface to create an artificial warming or “tingling” sensation to mimic a deeper tan.
However, this reaction is not a tan — it is an inflammatory skin response.
Health Risks To Customers !
When these products transfer onto a sunbed, the next client unknowingly lays onto the residue.
This can cause:
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Chemical burns
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Severe redness and swelling
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Blistering of the skin
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Allergic reactions
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Lasting pigmentation damage
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Pain lasting several hours or longer
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In some cases medical treatment may be required
Some people are highly sensitive and can react within minutes.
The affected person has no control over this exposure, which is why strict hygiene rules exist in professional tanning environments.
(Images below show real reactions caused by tingle contamination)
Why Cleaning The Bed Does NOT Remove Tingle Cream
Tanning beds operate at high temperatures.
While the bed is hot, the acrylic surface slightly expands and its microscopic pores open.
When someone uses tingle cream:
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The hot acrylic opens
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The chemicals soak INTO the acrylic surface
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The customer leaves and the bed cools
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The acrylic tightens and traps the chemicals inside
This means the bed can be cleaned multiple times and still contain the active ingredients.
When the next person uses the bed:
The heat returns → the acrylic expands again → the trapped tingle chemicals are released back onto the skin.
This does not just affect the next customer — it can affect several customers afterwards.
There’s no reason not to keep a golden glow year-round with today’s tanning accelerators. Formulated mainly for use with indoor tanning sunbeds (although some are suitable for outdoor use), tanning lotions are designed to rapidly decrease the amount of time it takes to achieve a sun-kissed tan. You may be asking yourself what kind of tanning lotion should I use as there are a diverse selection of tanning optimisers and enhancers available, so we’ve compiled this short guide to help you select the product perfect for you.
Tip: Be careful as tanning accelerators do not contain sunscreen, therefore, will not protect you from sunburn!
1. Accelerator & Maximiser Lotions
If you’re new to tanning or have pale/sensitive skin, we would recommend beginning with an accelerator/maximiser lotion. Most beginner accelerators contain great anti-aging elements such as CoQ-10. Ideal for building up a base tan, beginner accelerators are non-tingle and don’t contain bronzers.
2. Bronzer Lotions
The next step up and most popular type of tanning accelerator is the bronzer. There are two types of bronzer; the immediate and delayed.
The great advantage of bronzers is that they combine DHA and active ingredients to give instant dark results and long-lasting colour, yet continue to develop after a tanning session to continually improve your tan. With bronzers, you need to ensure you apply the lotion evenly or you can end up with a patchy tan although they are much better formulated these days as rarely stain. Our favourite bronzing lotions are Karat butter Bronzer & White to Bronze Range (which is also a best-seller!) Tip – Ensure you wipe your hands thoroughly after applying a bronzing lotion to ensure you don’t end up with hands darker than the rest of your body!
3. Tingle Lotions
We only Allow these creams on our Stand Up Beds due to customers with sensitive skin which can causea bad reaction.
Tingle lotions do what they say on the tin – they give your skin a tingling sensation after applying the lotion.
Why do they do this?
Basically, the lotion brings the blood to the surface of your skin to boost the effect that UV rays have, thus allowing you to achieve a deeper, darker tan much quicker.
Tingle lotions are perfect for people who are looking to achieve an extremely deep tan and are not at all suitable for beginners. Be careful – as tingle lotions should not be used by people with sensitive skin!!!!
A customers favourite tingle lotion is Karat or White To Bronze
Tip – Don’t be shocked if your skin is red after application, as it will be for roughly 1 - 4 hours . It may look like you’re sunburnt, but the redness will fade quickly.
Key Terminologies:
With a diverse selection of lotions available, carefully reading each product’s label and understanding the terminology can give you a great advantage when picking the lotion perfect for you.
Hemp Seed Oil: Nourishes and moisturises your skin leaving it smooth and flawless.
Body Blush: For those who want a tingling effect, but have sensitive skin.
Anti-Aging: These lotions contain added vitamins help combat ageing skin.
Shimmer: These lotions contain glimmering additives to give your skin reflective properties for added glow.
Caffeine: Caffeine reduces puffiness and will also energise your skin.
Silicon: A moisturising mineral that will help condition skin.
Beta Carotene: AKA Vitamin A. It enhances pigment colouration in your skin.
DHA: A chemical ingredient that produces a brown colour when it comes into contact with skin. The higher the DHA, the darker the tan.
Vitamin E: Makes skin softer and will also reduce the visibility of lines and wrinkles.
Aloe Vera: Soothes and calms the skin.
Monoi De Tahiti Oil: Makes the skin softer and naturally protects it from the harmful effects of the sun and the sea salt.
Coconut Oil: Hydrates the skin to make it silky smooth.
Lotion & Tingle Cream Safety Information
A GUIDE TO TANNING ACCELERATOR LOTIONS
Damage To Sunbeds and Equipment
Tingle creams do not only harm skin — they also damage the tanning beds.
They can:
• Permanently stain acrylics
• Cause surface clouding and weakening
• Lead to cracking and premature failure
• Reduce UV transmission
• Require full acrylic replacement
Flamingo Bay has invested over £400,000 in professional tanning equipment designed to operate safely under controlled conditions.
Unapproved products directly compromise this safety.
Why Professional Salon Lotions Are Different
Approved salon lotions:
• Are designed for UV exposure
• Do not contain aggressive stimulants
• Are tested for acrylic compatibility
• Protect both skin and equipment
Our staff can always recommend suitable products for your skin type.
Our Responsibilities
These rules are not about restriction — they exist to prevent injury and protect every client using the salon.
When one person uses prohibited products, the next customer is put at risk without their knowledge.
For this reason we operate strict lotion policies to maintain a safe environment for everyone.
Thank you for helping us keep Flamingo Bay clean, safe and professional.