African American friend wants to tan

[texasblonde]

I took a friend of mine to the salon because he wants to even out his skin tone. When we got there they didn't even ask him about lotion and they started him out immediately for 15 minutes (I was already tanning so I had no idea). His face and arms are dark but the rest of him hasn't had sun in almost a year. Thankfully he didn't burn but he wants to go back with me today. What lotions should he look at (they have CT, JA, SB, DS, and Supre) and how long should he ask to go in for? How do bronzers (cosmetic or DHA) work on black skin? Thanks for any info I can give him!

[TikiTan]

Sounds like your friend is a skin type 5 (Skin is brown and is very UVR tolerant)or possibly even a skin type 6 (SKin is black) (Without taking a skin typing questionaire though Im guessing..). Every bed should have a recommended exposure schedule posted to it.. According to the exposure schedule a skin type 5 generally should start at 5 minutes (This is brand new bed, brand new lamps..) etc, etc... Sounds like this was not a brand new bed with brand new lamps..

As for lotions we have a few of our African American tanners who use bronzers (They are body builders and like the added effects..) Other wise I would recommend the same as I would for you depending on step 1 or step 2 tanner..

It is really hard to know without seeing him how long he should be tanning for... If he didnt burn at the 15 .. he may want to stick to that until he is certain he has developed tolerance.. AA's skin is not going to turn pink and show a "burn".. It will just be a very uncomfortable feeling..