When the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer, we are all drawn outdoors to enjoy the sun. Many will recall seemingly endless hours outdoors, soaking up the sun's rays without a care. Unfortunately, sunbathing isn't as carefree an activity as it used to be. These days, there's more to worry about, such as premature aging, scarring and blemishes, or even skin cancer.

The sunless tanning salon is becoming more and more diversified. High-end salons and spas are starting to supplement their UV tanning services with sunless. Sessions can cost anywhere from $25 per session to up to $100 for a few one-hour sessions.

When a person visits a sunless tanning salon, they have the option of using a spray booth or having a technician apply the tanner with an airbrush system. There are also the options of UV tanning via tanning beds and even application of tanning lotions by salon staff. The latter can cost up to $125 per session, and whether or not this service is available will depend on the salon.

Many salons sell tanning lotions, mousses, bronzers, and other products in addition to their in-house services.

The tanning spray used in a sunless tanning salon contains dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA reacts with dead skin cells on the surface of the body, causing them to turn brown. As dead skin peels off, the tan fades, just like with a natural suntan. Some sunless tanning salons add cosmetic bronzers to their formulas, which cause the effects of the tan to show up sooner, sometimes immediately. DHA without a bronzer added does not begin to show results for two to four hours after a session.

A good sunless tanning salon will have knowledgeable, open staff that will explain procedures, precautions, and aftercare to clients. Follow-up care or maintenance is usually available in the form of repeat visits, touch ups, or advice on how to prolong the tan with products such as lotions.