Just saw this thread now. Sorry about the delay in responding.
First off, you have the thought right that you should start off slow. DO NOT get a lotion with an SPF in it for tanning beds. The idea for a tanning bed is that it is a controlled environment, where you do not need to use an SPF. Also, any lotion that contains an SPF will ruin the acrylics in the tanning beds.
You deffinatly want to get a tanning lotion with an accelerator in it first. Do not go to safeway and get the 9.99 special indoor tanning lotion, its worthless. You really do get what you pay for, get a quality lotion be prepared to spend alittle money. Its a larger sum up front, but your skin will be healthier, your tan will be produced quicker, your tan will last longer, and you will use less sessions to get your desired color. In the long run it saves you money.
Next if you give me the city and state you live in (PM me if you dont want it in the thread) i can actually recommend a tanning salon in your area. Yes, i have a listing of them all, their reputations, their tanning beds, etc. Again be prepared to spend alittle more money up front for QUALITY.
There are hole in the wall places that offer like 10 tans for $20.00. Most of these places have very low quality beds. While this seams like a good deal, you could get 5 tans at another place around $20.00 and wind up having a better tan, tanning less wich is better for your skin.
Also the places that advertise those cheap tans usually use a bulb that has a low grade of phosperus in them. Meaning you will get less of a browning effect and more of the reddening effect from tanning in them.
What i recommend you do is go to
http://www.alohatanningco.com and fill out our skin type analysis form, along with our client information sheet (dont put your address phone etc unless you want a late night booty call
) by doing this it will send me your skin typeing form and when i recommend a tanning salon in your area i can better recomend a time you should go in for. Some places you will start out only at 5 minutes in a 20 minutes bed, where others you may start at 8 minutes (and 3 minutes is a HUGE difference in some beds).
When starting out tanning you will want to go every other day. Do a monday, wednesday, friday. The reason you do not want to go every day when you are starting out is your skin can tan for 48 hours after you get out of a tanning bed. There are times you get out of a bed and feel like you recieved nothing from it, then the next morning you wake up and you are red. This will give your skin a day to recover, it will reproduce the melanin in your skin, and gives you an opportunity to rehydrate.
When you start tanning also make sure you are drinking alittle more water than what is recommended in a day. It is very important to stay hydrated.
Also get a good after tan lotion and use it after tanning and anytime you take a shower. There are good ones that run from $15 - 35. These lotions are specificallyl designed for tanners. They will help you alot more than any store bought lotion (jergens, lubriderm, etc).
Hope this helps, and let me know if you need anything else.