Located on the Gulf of Mexico in Okaloosa County, Florida lies a tourist destination known as Fort Walton Beach. With an Air Force base right in its back yard and miles of beach, this is a popular location for locals and tourists. Since there is a good chance you will be absorbing some sun while there, many people choose to get a start on their tans by going to the tanning salons in the town.

There are no less than nine tanning salons located in Fort Walton Beach. They run the gamut from the very simple and inexpensive to the very expensive spa type atmosphere. Depending on what you want and how much you want to spend, you can find what you want. A few of the salons have multiple services there as well and a few of them are tanning only. If you are looking for multiple services check with the salon when you make your appointment. You also have a few tanning chains with multiple locations such as Showbiz Tan. Club Sun is another chain with multiple locations in the local area.

For the actual square mileage of Fort Walton Beach there is a considerable amount of tanning salons to choose from. It is a popular activity in a sun-soaked town in Florida so the options are vast. There seems to be enough business to keep them going, the closure rate of these establishments is very small. The pricing structure is lower because of the competition so this might be a reason they continue to have so much traffic.

There are five basic skin types, and knowing which type you have is critical in determining how to best care for your skin. So, what are these?

Normal skin is the least problematic type. It will appear supple and healthy due to small pores, and have good circulation. Combination skin is the most common type. Roughly 70 percent of all women have combination skin. Parts of your face will have oily traces, usually in the area known as the T-zone; the center of the forehead, nose, chin and center of the cheeks.

Oily skin tends to be shiny from the oil. The skin has enlarged pores and is prone to acne and blackheads. Careful cleansing and avoiding rich moisturizers will help. This type of skin ages well.

Dry skin will feel tight, especially after cleansing. The skin will have a tendency to acquire fine lines, red patches and flaking where the skin is driest. You'll need to be conscientious about moisturizing dry skin to keep it looking youthful as you age.

Sensitive skin will be thin and delicate, with very fine pores. It will be prone to allergic reactions and rashes. This most problematic type of skin requires special care to look its best.

Once you've determined which type of skin you have, you'll need to develop a beauty regimen that takes your skin type into account. This includes cleansing, moisturizing and makeup. Keep in mind that the price of the most expensive beauty products typically reflects the cost of their advertising rather than their effectiveness. Use whatever products work for you.

Many enjoy the look of beautiful, tanned skin. Nowadays, there are more options than ever, with many lotions and make-up that give one that “sun-kissed” glow even if they're not in the sun. However, many enjoy laying out in the sun and letting it do all the work or laying on a sun bed, with the artificial sun that produces the same results. Here are some differences in the two.

Besides the definite safety of the tanning lotions, a tanning bed is probably the safest way to go. Just don't have any perfume lotions on, for it can affect how the lights work, possibly causing rashes. You need to wear indoor tanning lotions. Your tan will last the longest, with skin staying the healthiest. Your time is controlled, and may only start at less than five minutes. You get the most of the UVA and UVB rays, so it's much quicker and more complete. The most dangerous rays are the UVC rays. These aren't in a tanning bed at all.

Outside, your body may be exposed to some UVC rays, which are mostly blocked by the ozone layer. However, you're not sure how much of the other two kinds your body is exposed to. It also takes more time outside for this reason, too. The best time is between 10 and three. The most time anyone should be tanning outside is an hour, depending on skin type. If it burns easily, wear sunscreen. You'll still tan, just not burn. For each, knowing your skin type is the best way to safely tan. With a salon, a professional should be able to help, while outside, you're kind of on your own. Just remember in either case, too much exposure is dangerous and painful to your body.

Most of us take our skin for granted. Or, if we are concerned, it is only about the skin on our face. It is really a remarkable part of our physical body, the part that senses and adjusts to the surroundings. It can grow and replace itself, a barrier of protection that is waterproof. How do we care for our skin? There are four basic things needed for good skin care. First of all, a good cleanser.

For the face, it is important to not overclean and to use only lukewarm water. Some experts recommend cosmetic cleansers only, no soap. The second need is exfoliation, a gentle scrub with tiny grains that removes the dead skin on the outside. There are three types for the face; microdermabrasion, chemical peel, and retinoids or Retin-A. Toner is not necessary but can be used if it improves the feel of the skin. The third need is moisture for all types of skin, even oily. It should not be used if acne is a problem and should not be overdone because it can clog pores.

The fourth need is the most important and that is sunscreen. It should be in any daytime moisture used and not in the nighttime moisture. The sunscreen should contain Mexoryl or Helioplex. Sun damage causes wrinkles and is harmful to the skin. In recent years, there has been a great deal of research and many new types of creams for skin care that has appeared. There are anti-aging creams, mineral cosmetics, firming cream for the face, neck and eyes, anti-wrinkle creams and body scrubs such as the ones you would get in a spa. There are many choices in our quest for smooth, beautiful skin.