GETTING BRONZE IN BEDS AND BOTTLES

Cindy McCormick has found a secret weapon for feeling great and relaxing alone: indoor tanning.

"It's one of the few times where you can be by yourself without a phone and nobody to bother you for 20 or 30 minutes," said the Cape Girardeau mother.

McCormick and hundreds of like-minded, bronze enthusiasts visit area tanning salons, usually a couple times a week, in search of a little color, a little shot of self-esteem and a little peace and quiet.

More tanners, especially college and high school students, begin thinking about base tans in February, anticipating upcoming spring breaks and proms.

The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that 1 million Americans visit indoor tanning salons every day.

Indoor tanning also can provide a relaxing way to achieve a tan or get rid of muscle aches year-round and in a controlled environment.

But experts urge tan-seekers to visit indoor tanning salons in moderation and with the proper protection to avoid burning and other skin-related problems, such as wrinkling or cancer.

Todd Goodson, owner of Planet Tan, has been in the tanning salon business for six years. He said people enjoy indoor tanning for a variety of reasons.

"Most women do it to relax," he said. "It's their time. It's their 20 minutes away from the world, their 20 minutes of peace and quiet."

He said more men are beginning to tan also.

"I'd say we've got a 60-40 split of women and men," he said. "A lot more boyfriends are coming in with their girlfriends, and a lot of women are trying to get their husbands to come in."

Planet Tan offers 23 beds for its customers, most of which are horizontal, clam shell-like beds. The salon has one stand-up booth for customers, marketed as a way to have more complete coverage.

Tan It All, a salon at 1910 Independence, also offers customers tanning options. Salon assistant Jen Stakenas agreed that business picks up mid-winter.

"We get a lot more business, especially after spring break it really picks up," she said.

Stakenas said she has seen numerous people lay in tanning beds to help alleviate arthritis.

"The heat helps them," she said. "It soothes their muscles, especially in the winter."

Like the sun, tanning beds put off ultraviolet A and B rays. UVA causes the tanning process, and UVB causes burning. Dermatologists say a single 30-minute salon session exposes the body to the same amount of harmful UV light as a day at the beach.

Most salons restrict customers to tanning only once a day, which is more than enough time to achieve a tan, experts say.

"We try to stress that people should not abuse it. It's not necessary to come every day to tan," Goodson said. "It's best if you work with it and take your time. Don't burn."

One aspect of indoor tanning that appeals to many is the control they have over time and exposure. During the outdoor tanning, the sun dominates and people have little control over the process.

McCormick, who has been going to tanning salons for years, said she goes year-round, but limits her summer indoor tanning to once a week. She said she has read warnings about problems that can be caused from tanning, but she believes she tans in moderation and the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks.

"I think everybody has got to decide that for themselves," she said.

Goodson said most first-time customers want to know how long they should lay in a tanning bed and how long it will take to see results. He said his staff makes recommendations based on information such as customers' tanning histories and if they burn.

"The biggest myth is that I have to burn before I tan," Goodson said. "You don't want to do that. This is a controlled environment, but the key is to tan in moderation. Don't abuse it."

Stakenas said she is a year-round tanner, hitting the beds once or twice a week.

"I don't know if it's the self-satisfaction or what," she said, "but it just makes you feel good."

SEEKING AN INDOOR TAN TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES? KEEP THESE TIPS IN MIND

* Visit tanning beds in moderation and use them only as directed.

* Ask salon staff to recommend exposure limits for your skin type.

* Set a timer on the tanning bed that will automatically shut off the lights or otherwise signals that exposure time has been reached. In the case that a tanner falls asleep, this precaution may help prevent a potential sunburn.

* Always wear protective eye wear, as ultraviolet rays put out by tanning beds can cause damage.

* Be sure the tanning bed was cleaned thoroughly after previous uses.

* Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or lupus, are aggravated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Also certain medications, such as some antihistamines, tranquilizers and birth control pills, can cause skin to be more sensitive to artificial light or sunlight.