Tanning is natural, and it works the same whether you tan outdoors or in a salon. The advantage of using sunbeds is having complete operator control over the intensity and duration of a session, which results in minimal risk of an uneven tan or a sunburn. Tanning takes place in the skin’s outer layer: the epidermis. About 5% of the cells in your epidermis are special cells called melanocytes. When exposed to UVB light, melanocytes produce pinkish colored melanin that is absorbed by other skin cells. When exposed to UVA light, the melanin darkens. This darkening is your skin’s natural way of protecting itself from sunburn.