Boston Tan Co.

Formerly known as Tanorama, it had 9 tanning beds and shared the facility with Pandolfino's Hair Studio in Framingham. As its success grew, it moved to the Building 19 Plaza in Natick in May of 2003 to a larger facility and became known as Boston Tan. Boston Tan then decided to move in 2013 on rt. 135 to a more modern facility located once again next to Pandolfino's Hair Studio. This more modern space now offers 17 tanning rooms, specialty rooms for leg & face tanning, and clean towels with every session, personal music in all rooms. You can tan in a bed or you can tan standing. You can also purchase from a great selection of various lotions to enhance your tan.

It's a friendly, family run business that welcomes each of their customers. The manager has been there over 15 years and the staff also has a long tenure. They are well trained and teach you the right way to get the most out of tanning. It's all about you looking great and having a great tanning experience.

Special Pricing Programs at Boston Tan

Of course, Boston Tan offers basic programs for one or a few visits at attractive prices. See our offers section for current specials to get started. But there is also something different about Boston Tan. Most tanning facilities develop pricing packages that limit you to using them on certain tanning beds. For example you could get 4 sessions on their standard bed and 1 session in one of their high end beds. At Boston Tan, pricing is done using credits that can be applied to any of our beds.

This gives you total control and choice over how you want to tan. On any given day you choose the tanning bed and amount of time you wish to tan. It's like having money in the bank and deciding how you're going to spend it that day.

Sunless tanning

If you need a fast tan for a wedding or other special event you can take advantage of the special sunless tanning booth. Using the Mystic Tan UV Free tanning solution you can tan in less than 60 seconds.

Tanning packages

There are 3 money saving tanning packages that provide you with unlimited tanning. The Silver package offers unlimited tanning on some of our basic machines, the Gold Package offers unlimited tanning on levels 1 & 2 machines and with the Platinum Package you get unlimited tanning on all levels.

Tanning for health and medical benefit

Although Boston Tan does not have Doctors on staff nor does Boston Tan prescribe any type of medical treatment, a growing number of customers have said they are using a tanning facility to address health and skin issues like Vitamin D deficiency, psoriasis, eczema or acne. Often the costs to visit a private tanning facility is less than hospital treatments after co-payments. And it's often less hassle and a more comfortable experience. During the winter months customers tell us it helps with seasonal light deficiency issues. Consult your Doctor before considering a specific treatment regimen.

Some of the questions we hear most often:

1. Does tanning indoors have the same effect as tanning outdoors?

Yes. The advantage to indoor tanning is "control." You always know what you're getting from an individual tanning session. It is very precise, calculated, controlled exposure designed to give you a cosmetically pleasing tan without burning your skin. When a customer goes outdoors, he/she places himself in an uncontrolled environment. You don't know how much you are getting so frequently tanning outdoors results in sunburn.

2. How do I prevent "raccoon eyes?"

Adjusting the protective eyewear occasionally during a tanning session will help to minimize this condition. The adjustment can be performed by gently sliding the eyewear to a new position. You should never lift the eyewear off of your eyes to adjust their position.

3. Can I wear my contact lenses while tanning?

Because tanning naturally draws moisture from the body, eyes are sometimes inconvenienced with contacts that lose moisture too. Even with protective eyewear, eyes can dry out a little. If you are going to tan with your contacts in, it is recommended that you use moisturizing drops prior to or just after the tanning session to prevent any temporary discomfort.

4. Is it okay for pregnant women to tan indoors?

One concern about pregnant women tanning is the heat. Remember that the temperature around the baby remains relatively constant at 98.6 degrees, so the baby can take a little heat, but the same amounts of heat that would cause anyone to be uncomfortable (e.g. sauna, hot tub, hot sun during the summer) will also make the baby uncomfortable. It is suggested that if pregnant, you tan during the morning hours and with a doctor's permission.

5. What should I wear in the tanning bed?

Since each tanning bed is in a private room, you can wear (or not wear) whatever you like. If you plan to tan in the nude, cover previously unexposed areas for the majority of your tanning session for the first few visits. Gradually increase the exposure to these areas, giving the skin time to build melanin production.

6. Do I have to wear eye protection?

Yes, it is required by law in most states because eyelids are not thick enough to protect your eyes from UV damage.

7. Why are lotions necessary?

Tanning without a lotion will deplete your skin of its much needed moisture. Lotions can help stimulate the production of melanin so that your skin tans more quickly, gets darker and keeps its tan longer. Plus, our lotions have moisturizers that keep your skin soft and healthy. Our premium lotions deliver vitamins, moisturizers, oils, and other ingredients to revitalize the skin and encourage melanin production, which gives you a tan appearance.

8. I don't tan outdoors. Will I be able to tan in a bed?

If you can't get color from the sun, you can't get color in an UV bed. However, our UV-Free tanning system can give you a natural looking tan without any UV exposure at all. Try our Mystic Tan booth and see the results for yourself.

9. What causes a tan to fade?

Tanning takes place in the top layer of skin, the epidermis. Since cells in epidermis are constantly reproducing and pushing older cells upward, those cells will eventually be shed, causing the tan to fade. Regular use of harsh soaps can shorten your tan’s life, too. The skin’s essential oils form a moisture-lock and when depleted leave tanned skin cells more vulnerable to being lightened or washed away. Shower gels, with lower, less alkaline pH levels, are not as apt to completely strip the natural oils. Scheduling regular tanning sessions is the best way to maintain your golden glow.

10. What is the tanning process?

Tanning takes place in the skin’s outermost layer, the epidermis. The epidermis has unique cells called melanocytes that, when stimulated with ultraviolet light, use tyrosine (an amino acid) to produce melanin. Melanin is the dark pigment found in retina, hair and skin (excluding the lips, soles of feet, and palms of hands). It is also melanin that is responsible for the tanned, bronze look tanners seek to achieve. When stimulated by the shorter waves of UVB light, the melanocytes produce melanin. The melanin then moves up through the epidermis and is absorbed by other skin cells. When exposed to the longer waves of UVA light, the melanin oxidized or darkens, producing a tan. In short, UVB synthesizes pigment, while UVA ensures their oxidation. Together, the two create a tan.

11. Can I get a tan after one session?

Not necessarily. The skin needs a few sessions to gradually develop the self defense mechanism known as a tan. This process cannot be sped up. Your tan will develop within 3-5 sessions.

12. How do I keep my tan once I have one?

Keeping your tan requires only one to three sessions per week depending what level or strength bed you use. The tanning beds at each level have stronger bulbs and require fewer visits than those in a lower level. A visit to a Mega level bed need only be done once a week, an Ultra level bed twice a week and Super level bed three times a week. It's like being in the sun at noon instead of trying to get a tan in the late afternoon. The sun isn't as strong so it takes longer.

Come experience tanning in our friendly, modern and upbeat facility in Natick! Call us at 508-650-5700 for more information.

Proudly serving Natick, Wayland & Framingham