Anyone know much about this?

Basically I can't afford to go abroad, can't see the UK having decent weather in the next 3 months and don't really fancy fake tanning products.

Never given it a go so after some advice. How much does it cost(generally), timewise how long does it take and what are the risks/effects?

Interested because I'm considering hitting the city next few weekends and was planning on doing this there.

What is the end result like? Is it the same as getting out in the sun.

All opinions very welcome.

Don't think its what you want to here but...don't do it?
The health risks are just not worth it and from a vanity view...is a temporary tan really worth permanant wrinkles? It is incredibly ageing.

You say you dont fancy fake tanning but there are some great products you could at least give a go first? The money, time and effort it will take to go to a sunbed place, and pay for the pleasure of stripping off and burning yourself for 3/6/9/12 minutes, will be more than required to simply rub in some lotion before bed, and then simply wash off in the morning.

It costs about £11 for 14 minutes in an average tan shop.

Though as Kimberly has said the risks are too high and the effects are sometimes not even seen depending on how easily or not you tan. I do use sunbeds but not often, maybe twice a year a few days after being on holiday to prolong an existing tan. I would go down the fake route, there are so many fake tans out there that offer the healthy look rather than the classical tango orange. Try Xen Tan for example or even for a cheaper option the Dove moisteriser with a hint of fake tan, I use this quite often and have a natural looking tan. You can top it up too without looking orange.

The results of a sunbed vary again to your skin type.

There are risks, although many of them are exaguarated and I am sure that you wont get skin cancer from using a sunbed once or twice a year. You can become addicted to them and they can put years on you with prolonged, constant use.

I would avoid sunbeds like the plague. Why not get a spray tan?

I'm probably not going to be a very popular person after giving my advise, but here it goes! A hell of a lot of people (and I mean a HELL OF A LOT!!) use sunbeds. The amount of people that I know or have met who have amazing skin, and their secret is sunbeds. After going on sunbeds twice, your skin will be looking very, very clear and you'll have a good complexion. To get a decent tan, you'd have to go on them a few more times, then carry it on until you've got the tan that you want, then cut it down and just go once every six weeks.

Sunbeds we all know can cause skin cancer and can age you...but in my opinion that's if you're constantly going on them every week. I have friends who go on them twice a week and they have a nice tan, but their skin looks awful. My mum is 54 and has used them since she was 18...she has incredible looking skin. She doesn't overdo them though. She goes on one once every six weeks, sometimes twice, but no more than that. In moderation, I believe they're fine, they give you an amazing tan and a clear complexion. In moderation I believe they're fine. People can recommend as many fake tans as they want, but they're all either streaky, a bad colour or else they smell like digestive biscuits. If you are going to try sunbeds, to start off with I would say you'd need to go on one twice a week for about three weeks, then cut it down to once a week, then once every two weeks, then every three weeks and so on....then just go every six weeks. The time you spend on a Sunbed depends on the sunbed itself...you get some where you could go on for 14 minutes and nothing would happen. I would reccommend 'KwikTan' who have really good sunbeds (6 minutes is all you need and it costs about £3.50). The Tanning Shop are also good.

I have to agree with Master Ozzy about using them in moderation - altho my moderation may be slightly more than theirs.

My Dr recommended I use sunbeds, for 10 mins per week, in order to clear up acne on my back. I started using them about a year ago, and although it did take a while, my back is about 99% better. I have never used them rigidly, and often go for weeks without using them (mainly due to lack of finance) but I have had a positive experience from them. I would never consider using them for more than 10 mins at a time but I find I can build up a nice colour which is an added bonus.

I use Indigo Sun, not sure if they have branches outwith Scotland and pay £3.50 for 9 minutes (I think, haven't been since before new year)