Sunbed vs Spray Tan: Which One's Right for You?

It's one of the questions we get asked most at Bronzed Tanning Lounge in Fleet- sunbed vs spray tan, which one should I actually go for?

The honest answer is that both are brilliant ways to get a gorgeous glow, but they work in different ways and suit different needs. Here's everything you need to know to pick the right one for you.

How does a sunbed work?

A sunbed tan works with your body's own natural tanning process, gradually stimulating melanin production for a deep, golden colour that builds session by session. That's what gives a sunbed tan its main advantage: it looks completely natural, because it is your own tan - no dye, no colour to fade unevenly, and nothing that can rub off on your clothes or your sheets.

Because the colour builds gradually and comes from within the skin, it also tends to last significantly longer than a topical tan, fading slowly over one to two weeks rather than disappearing overnight.

Regular responsible sessions on our beds let you build and maintain a natural base tan all year round, and with our £1-a-minute weekday and Saturday morning slots, it's an easy, affordable habit to keep up.

It's also completely fuss-free - minimal prep, no downtime, no waiting around for anything to dry. You get changed, you tan, you go.

What is a spray tan?

A spray tan gives you instant colour - you walk out with a full tan in around 15–20 minutes, which develops for 6-8 hours before you wash it off - it will then develop for a further 24 hours after you've washed it off.

This makes it a great option when you need to look tanned tomorrow, not next week. Think weddings, proms, holidays, or any big event where you want guaranteed colour on a specific date without waiting for a base to build.

The trade-off is that a spray tan is a cosmetic colour sitting on top of the skin rather than a true tan, so it behaves a little differently: it needs proper prep (exfoliating and moisturising beforehand) and careful aftercare to go on evenly and fade nicely.

Spray tans last between 5-10 days depending on how well you look after your skin once you've had it done, this means that more regular appointments and maintenance are needed to keep your colour looking fresh.

Sunbed vs Spray tan: The key differences at a glance

• Speed: Spray tan wins for instant colour; sunbed tans build gradually over several sessions.

• 
  

• Longevity: Sunbed tans typically last longer and fade more gradually, since the colour comes from your own skin.

• 
  

• Look and feel: Sunbed tans tend to look and feel completely natural with no dye smell or transfer risk; spray tans give a bold, even colour that's brilliant for a specific date.

• 
  

• Maintenance: Sunbeds suit a regular top-up routine; spray tans suit one-off events and need reapplying more often.

• 
  

• Prep required: Sunbeds need minimal prep; spray tans need proper exfoliation beforehand for the best, most even result.

• 
  

So, which one's right for you?

If you like the idea of a natural, golden base tan that you can top up whenever suits you, with zero prep and no risk of it coming off on your favourite outfit, a sunbed is the easy choice - and it's by far the more cost-effective option if you want colour that lasts more than a week or two.

If you've got a big date circled in the calendar - a wedding, a prom, a holiday send-off - and you want guaranteed, instant colour with no waiting, a spray tan is your best friend.

And honestly? A lot of our regulars do both. They keep a base glow topped up on the sunbeds year-round, then book a spray tan on top for that extra boost of colour before a big event. You don't have to choose just one.

Whichever you go for, our team at Bronzed is always happy to talk through what'll work best for your skin and your plans - just pop in or book online.