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Where to Buy Tanning Goggles and How to Pick the Right Type

Written by Lexi Carlson
Medically Reviewed by Denise Christine Bries, MD
Updated
WHERE TO BUY TANNING GOGGLES AND HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT TYPE

Before you hop on that tanning bed, make sure you have a quality pair of tanning goggles.

We know you’re itching about where to buy tanning goggles, but just remember that the main purpose is to provide protection.

Don’t just buy them for style, girls and gals!

Not sure what to look out for when buying tanning bed goggles? Don’t worry, we’ll take you through how they work, where to buy them, and how to choose the best ones!

Where to Buy Tanning Goggles

Where to Buy

You’ll need a good pair of tanning goggles for safety purposes.

Although these products should usually be provided free of charge by indoor tanning companies, it’s best to bring your own tanning bed goggles.

After all, you don’t know how frequently the business cleans and sanitizes its tanning bed goggles, so it can be quite unhygienic if a lot of their customers share them.

Online

Ready to buy your first pair of tanning goggles? Check out online retailers such as Amazon—all you have to do is search, click, and buy. SO easy!

There are a lot of amazing deals on their website too, so you can usually find cheap (but high quality) tanning bed goggles if you look hard enough. Watch out for brands like Super Sunnies and Evo Flex. Those are great buys!

However, make sure you select the correct size, as the wrong fit won’t offer much eye protection. Given this, it’s very helpful to read product reviews on the Amazon website before finalizing your order.

Lastly, double-check the return policy so you can easily change the product if you’re not satisfied.

In-Store

Another option is to buy directly from local stores or tanning salons. This way, you can test out the products on-site and find the PERFECT FIT before you purchase!

Again, make sure the goggles are neither too loose nor too tight when worn. The goggles should feel comfortable, but they should also have a tight enough seal to effectively function as eye protection.

We suggest reading product reviews for top-rated goggles online before visiting the store so you know exactly what you want to buy.

However, if you’re still unsure, you can also consult on-site personnel for more information (and maybe even their own personal reviews) on the products!

How to Choose the Best Tanning Goggles

How to Choose

Before you start tanning, make sure to use QUALITY goggles.

Don’t just buy the first pair you spot on the Amazon website and don’t just go for the one with the lowest price. Your health is at stake here, after all, so DON’T take the easy route!

Carefully read through what the products have to offer, and check to see if they possess these five key characteristics before you spend your money on them.

Comfort

It goes without saying a good pair of tanning bed goggles should be comfortable.

Remember, you’ll use these all throughout your tanning session, so they shouldn’t hurt any part of your face the whole time they’re on.

Fit

More importantly, though, the size, shape, and structure of the goggles should fit your face perfectly.

Safety is what you’re after, so you’ll need goggles that have high-level protection. Naturally, this comes with a GOOD, TIGHT seal.

With that said, you should always test out the fit before you buy (if possible!) This will not only save you the hassle of a return, but it also ensures optimal protection while tanning.

Design

Tanning bed goggles come in all sorts of designs! You can buy goggles with straps if you want to be extra safe, or you can use goggles without straps to prevent tan lines.

If you opt for the latter, though, just make sure you don’t move around too much while tanning. This way, the goggles will be less likely to fall off.

UV Protection

Another key aspect is UV PROTECTION. Always make sure the goggles are FDA-approved. Otherwise, you could be paying for bits of plastic that don’t even work!

Again, read website reviews thoroughly to make sure you’re paying for good quality products!

Price

Lastly, how much do the goggles cost? Well, the price can go from $4 up to $50.

Most goggles fall on the lower end of the range, though, which is great if you’re on a budget. In fact, the disposable ones are just around $0.20 apiece!

If you’re a frequent tanner, consider investing in something more durable and high quality. After all, you’ll be using this for a long time, so you should make sure they won’t need frequent replacing.

Do I Really Need Tanning Goggles?

Do I Really Need Them

Tanning goggles are ESSENTIAL eye protection for anyone planning to get an indoor tan.

In fact, it’s mandatory for customers to put on goggles before any tanning bed service, as the harmful UV radiation from the sunlamps can damage eyes and even cause blindness. Scary, right?

Now, you might think you can get away with closing your eyes instead of using tanning bed goggles to get a more even tan.

DON’T EVER try this! Your eyelids offer little to no protection against UV light, so it goes right through your skin and into your eye. Too much UV exposure could cause one or more of the following:

  • Photokeratitis or swelling of the cornea, which causes temporary redness, pain, sensitivity, and/or blurred vision.
  • Pinguecula or a growth on the conjunctiva. Although this does not typically interfere with vision, people who have it may be uncomfortable with how it looks.
  • Pterygium or a wedge-shaped growth on the conjunctiva. Unlike the pinguecula, this grows onto the cornea.
  • Cataracts or clouding of your lens. Long-term sun exposure can cause cataracts, blurred vision, and even blindness.
  • Macular Degeneration or damage to the retinal tissue. This condition can lead to severe and permanent vision loss, and it has no cure.

That DEFINITELY makes us rethink going in without proper eye protection.

How Tanning Beds Work

Why are tanning beds so dangerous? Shouldn’t they provide only a safe amount of UV radiation?

First of all, there is no such thing as ‘safe’ UV radiation. Both UVA and UVB rays cause significant skin damage, especially if you don’t have sunscreen on.

  • UVA rays penetrate deep into your skin, affecting your blood vessels and nerves. These are responsible for premature aging, wrinkle formation, and cancer development.
  • UVB rays, on the other hand, cause sunburns, swelling, redness, and pain. They also put you at risk for melanoma.

If this isn’t scary enough, you should know that indoor tanning can be even more dangerous than going to the beach!

While the strength of the sun’s rays varies day to day, sunlamps constantly expose you to high-intensity light during each tanning session. Even when it’s a stand-up tanning bed!

Remember this: You’re paying a huge price for beauty—your health.

FAQs

FAQs

#1 Do I Have to Wear Tanning Goggles While Using a Tanning Bed?

YES. Never EVER go tanning without goggles on! This could temporarily affect your vision or even ruin it PERMANENTLY!!

The harms of UV radiation are VERY true, so it’s better to be proactive now instead of paying the price later on in life.

#2 How Much Are Tanning Goggles?

The average price for tanning goggles is around $6. Many good-quality options are actually quite affordable, so you just have to worry about the fit!

#3 Are There Any Alternatives to Tanning Goggles?

If you want to ditch the goggles, use disposable, adhesive eye protection. If you’re a frequent tanner, these medical-grade holds may cost more in the long run, but they’re very comfortable and effective.

We love that they’re hygienic, see-through, and great at blocking out both UVA and UVB rays!

Conclusion

You wouldn’t go to the beach without sunglasses, so why would you go to the tanning salon without goggles?

Look after your health, even if it seems inconvenient now—trust us, your future self will thank you for it!

Thanks for reading! Feel free to share this article with a friend if the tips worked for you.