Skin types and exposure

Maximum tanning times, by skin type.

Different people tan at different rates. At Paraiso we will help you find your skin type so you can choose the ideal tanning schedule to achieve your goals, without burning. Below you will find our recommended exposure schedules for your skin type. Come and visit us for your personalised skin type assessment.

The six skin types

Find yourself first.

The Fitzpatrick scale, 1 to 6. Your starting point - we confirm it with you in person before your first session.

Type 1

Hair: Red or sandy
Skin: Very fair
Eyes: Blue or grey

Usually has lots of freckles. Should not use a sunbed.

Type 2

Hair: Blond to brown
Skin: Fair
Eyes: Green or grey

Possibly with freckles. High burn risk - tans lightly.

Type 3

Hair: Dark blond or brown
Skin: Fair to light brown
Eyes: Grey or green

Builds a moderate tan. Medium burn risk.

Type 4

Hair: Dark brown
Skin: Light brown
Eyes: Dark brown

Burning is rare. Tans rapidly and deeply.¹

Type 5

Hair: Dark
Skin: Deep brown
Eyes: Dark

Has natural protection. Tans rapidly and deeply, seldom burns.¹

Type 6

Hair: Black
Skin: Very dark
Eyes: Dark

Never burns in natural sunlight.¹

¹Types 4, 5 and 6 still need to ease into initial exposure - especially in the UK, where year-round natural protection factor is depleted by lack of regular sunshine.

The full chart

Maximum minutes per session, by skin type.

Minutes build session by session as your skin gets used to the lamps. Your final cap depends on your type - Type 1 skin doesn't tan at all, so come and chat to us if that's you.

Maximum tanning time in minutes per session, by Fitzpatrick skin type.
Session	Type 1	Type 2*	Type 3	Type 4	Type 5	Type 6
1	None	6 min	6 min	6 min	6 min	6 min
2	None	7 min	7 min	8 min	10 min	11 min
3	None	7 min	9 min	10 min	14 min	17 min
4	None	8 min	10 min	12 min	19 min	20 min
5	None	9 min	12 min	14 min	20 min	20 min
6	None	10 min	13 min	16 min	20 min	20 min
7	None	11 min	15 min	19 min	20 min	20 min
8	None	12 min	16 min	20 min	20 min	20 min
9	None	13 min	18 min	20 min	20 min	20 min
10	None	14 min	19 min	20 min	20 min	20 min

* Type 2 requires a minimum 48-hour rest between sessions. Everyone else, a minimum 24-hour rest. EU Tanning Guidelines, in compliance with EN 60335-2-27 at 0.3 W/m².

The rules in plain English

How often, how long, what happens if you take a break.

How long?

Our team will ask when your last session was, your recent exposure and your goals, then lay out a personalised tanning schedule for you. The chart above shows the hard maximum for your skin type - no matter how many sessions you have had, that number is the ceiling.

Rest your skin

Minimum 24 hours between sessions for skin types 3 to 6. Minimum 48 hours for skin type 2. Two to three sessions a week is sensible for everyone.

Four-week reset

If you stop tanning for four weeks or more, the next time you come in we start you at session 1 again. Your skin needs to rebuild.

Should never use a sunbed

If any of these apply to you, please tell us at reception. We will not book you in.

·People with skin type 1.
·Children under 18.
·People on medications that may cause photosensitivity.
·People with a history of skin cancer in their family.
·Anyone who has donated blood in the past 2 hours.

HSE guidance recommends that skin types 1 and 2 should not be advised to use UV tanning equipment. We don't recommend tanning in excess of the times shown above. If you feel you need a longer session, skin typing is done by self selection so ultimately you are the one who chooses your skin type. Ask our team to explain the risks so you can properly decide. We follow the Sunbed Association code of practice and the EU Tanning Guidelines on every bed.

See where you will tan

Seven rooms. Three premium bed types. All 0.3 W/m² compliant.

Our beds

Pop in today. No appointment needed.

Open 7 days, until 21:00 weekdays. We will sit down, work out your skin type and start you off properly.

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