Our Lay Down & Stand Up Sun Beds

The Sun Angel is a 20-minute sun bed that uses intelligent skin scanning technology. Before your first session, your skin is scanned and the system creates a personalised tanning programme based on your skin type and tanning history.

Our team will always guide you on session lengths and help you build your tan gradually. The Sun Angel adjusts exposure across different areas of the body, which allows for a more tailored tanning experience compared to traditional stand-up or lay-down sun beds.

Many clients find they build colour more efficiently using the Sun Angel compared to standard sun beds. As a general guide, a base tan typically builds over around 120 minutes of tanning time. This is often spread across fewer sessions on the Sun Angel compared to traditional sun beds, where clients usually start on shorter session times.

Session lengths are guided by your skin type and tanning history. Before your first sun bed, we carry out a consultation and ask questions about factors such as your skin tone, eye colour, how easily you tan, and how your skin usually reacts to UV exposure. This helps us advise on suitable starting times.

We usually recommend starting on lower minutes and increasing gradually over time. Small increases can make a noticeable difference, so we advise building up slowly rather than increasing session lengths too quickly.

As a general guide, starting minutes often fall within the following ranges, depending on skin type:

Skin Type 1: 2–3 minutes
Skin Type 2: 4–6 minutes
Skin Type 3: 6–8 minutes
Skin Type 4: 8–10 minutes
Your session length will always be guided by your consultation and how your skin responds.

After microblading, you should avoid UV light for at least 4 weeks and Botox at least a week.

Well.. Lotions keep your skin hydrated, this is really important when using sun beds as it prevents your skin from drying and going ‘wrinkly’. Lotions absorb UV into your skin instead of your skin reflecting it away. You tan 60% better with a lotion than without. You can also use them outside (take on holiday with you). But you would need to apply your SPF on top. They smell and feel incredible - they are so nourishing!

If your skin becomes red or sore after UV exposure, it’s important to allow it time to settle before using a sun bed again. We recommend avoiding sun beds and direct sun exposure until any redness or sensitivity has completely gone.

If the area feels uncomfortable, you may find that gently cooling the skin with a cool, damp towel helps reduce heat in the area. Keeping the skin hydrated with a gentle, non-perfumed moisturiser can also help support skin comfort while it recovers.

To reduce the risk of further irritation, we advise not using oil-based products before a sun bed session, as these can increase sensitivity.

If you have ongoing discomfort or concerns, we recommend seeking advice from a healthcare professional.

We do! Our Hempz Hypoallergenic range is especially for our clients that have sensitive skin. They are enriched with Natural Calming Extracts and 100% Pure Natural Hempz Seed Oil. We also have a hempz hypoallergenic bronzing lotion too, for that extra boost. They are both Gluten & Nut Free. Both lotions are avaiable in bottles too which work out a lot cheaper in the long run.

Preparing your skin and caring for it properly can make a noticeable difference to how evenly your tan develops and how long it lasts.

We usually recommend:

A body exfoliator to remove dry or dead skin before tanning
A moisturiser to keep the skin hydrated, especially after exfoliating and after using a sun bed
A sun bed lotion suitable for your skin type, with or without bronzers depending on your preference
Regular exfoliating and moisturising can help your skin feel smoother and allow colour to develop more evenly. Our team is always happy to talk you through the options and help you choose what’s right for you.

If you are going on Holiday this year, don’t leave getting a ‘base tan’ until the last minute! Coming in the day before your holiday for 10 minutes is NOT going to give you a base tan. It takes on average 120 minutes to get your base tan – which is the equivalent to 6 Sun Angels. Make sure you are coming in at least 2/3 times a week if you are using the Sun Angel. This really starts to develop your tan and gives it a nice boost coming in that third day. If you are going to use the Stand Up / Lay Down, you would need to come in more often and have less minutes to build up your tan. Having a high number of minutes once a week is not going to give you a base tan or keep you topped up and you are likely to burn.

Make sure you are using the right sun bed lotions when on the sun beds. We have a great selection here at Shwe and we are here to help choose the right one for you! We never recommend going on a bed without one, as lotions help absorb UV into the skin, whereas without one – your skin reflects it away. You are 60% more likely to get a tan with one than without, therefore if you are going on a sunbed for 10 minutes, you are really only getting the benefit of about 4 minutes. Don’t waste your precious sun bed time!

Hydrated skin is happy skin! Hydrated skin tans quicker than dry skin – so make sure you are moisturising at home! Remember to moisturise on the days between your sun beds… However, on Tanning day please do not come in with any moisturiser on. (as the majority of moisturisers have oils in, which will cause you to burn).

If you follow all these steps, regularly exfoliate and moisturise, you’ll have the best base tan and be ready for your holiday. Or if like last year, we have another heat wave, you’ll be ready for the summer months!

If you have had a tattoo recently, we recommend you stay away from sun beds for the first 6 weeks.
Your skin is open – we wouldn’t want any UV getting into your skin or for it to fade.
When you are back ask about our tattoo fade protecting tanning lotions which we highly recommend you use.

Yes, you can use a sun bed while taking HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). However, due to hormone imbalances and the medication, you might experience some pigmentation issues and find it harder to tan. There is also a possibility of having some reactions.

Please be aware that you may be more UV sensitive while on HRT. If you have any concerns or notice any unusual reactions, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before using the sun bed.

Sun bed use should always be spaced out to allow the skin time to respond between sessions. We advise leaving at least 48 hours between sun bed sessions.

Session frequency and timing will vary depending on your skin type and tanning history, which is why all new clients have a consultation before their first sun bed. Our team will guide you on session lengths and frequency.

We also advise following industry guidance on overall yearly usage

Using a sun bed is a personal choice. At Shwe, we focus on guidance, consultation, and personalisation so you understand how the sun bed works and how to build your tan gradually.

Before your first session, we carry out a consultation and create an individual tanning programme based on your skin type and tanning history. Our team will advise on session lengths and explain how to use the sun bed correctly.

If you have any medical conditions or concerns, we always recommend speaking with your GP before using a sun bed.

· Under 18’s

· Pregnant women

· If you've had Skin cancer or a history of skin cancer within immediate family*

· Heart Conditions*

· High/Low Blood Pressure*

· Diabetes

· Organ Transplants-

· Excessive moles-

· Recent operations

· If you have Epilepsy-

· Certain medications that cause Photo-sensitivity-.

* A doctors note is required