What to Wear on a Sunbed (and What Not To)
Nude, underwear or swimwear? What to take off, what to protect, and the one thing you must always wear — the practical guide every first-timer wants.
5 min readReviewed 25 July 2026
It's one of the most-asked questions at the desk and one people are often too shy to ask: what am I actually supposed to wear in there? It's a fair question, and the honest answer is that it's entirely your choice — with a couple of sensible rules that protect your skin and your comfort.
You have a private, sanitised room to yourself, so there's no audience and no pressure. Here's the practical rundown of your options, what to protect, and the one thing that's never optional.
Nude, underwear or swimwear — your choice
Because you tan in a private room on your own, what you wear is completely up to you and your comfort. Many people tan nude for an even, all-over colour with no tan lines; others prefer underwear or swimwear, either for comfort or to deliberately keep certain areas covered. There's no right answer — only what you're happy with.
One thing worth knowing: whatever you leave covered won't tan, so if you wear underwear you'll get tan lines where it sits. If an even finish matters to you, bear that in mind — and remember you can always vary it session to session.
Protecting delicate areas
Some parts of the body have skin that's thinner, more sensitive and rarely exposed to sun — and they need looking after. If you choose to tan nude, it's sensible to keep intimate areas covered or shielded, because skin that never normally sees UV can burn far more easily than the rest of you.
The same care goes for any skin that's especially fair or delicate. If you're ever unsure, just ask the team — protecting sensitive areas is a normal, sensible part of tanning well, not something to feel awkward about.
- Keep intimate and rarely-exposed areas covered or shielded
- Be extra cautious with any especially fair or thin skin
- Cover fresh scars and recent tattoos (see our tattoos guide)
- Whatever stays covered won't tan — plan your tan lines
The one thing you must always wear
Protective eyewear is non-negotiable, every single session. Closing your eyes isn't enough, because UV passes straight through the eyelid and can damage your eyes over time. We provide sanitised goggles and will make sure they fit before you start — this is the one 'must', whatever else you choose to wear.
If you wear contact lenses, you may find it more comfortable to take them out first. And if you'd like your hairline kept clear of your face, bring a hair tie — a small thing that makes the session more comfortable.
Jewellery, make-up and skincare
Come with clean, product-free skin. Remove make-up, perfume and deodorant beforehand, and skip heavy moisturiser or oils right before your session, as they can affect how evenly you tan. A shower beforehand is perfect, and a gentle exfoliation the day before helps colour go on smoothly.
It's also worth removing jewellery — metal can heat up slightly, and anything covering your skin leaves a pale patch. Take off rings, necklaces and the like, pop them somewhere safe in your private room, and you're good to go.