When Moscow's sunless February days stretched into weeks and simple light deficiency became full-blown depression, I rushed to the nearest tanning salon to get some sun whatever way I could.

I consoled myself with the fact that it's been medically proven that sunlight (including artificial) is healthy. Not only is it reputed to infuse the skin and bones with Vitamin D, it also stimulates the immune system.

I decided I couldn't wait for Sun City to open its fifth tanning salon. Instead, I went to the recently opened Sun City near the Paveletskaya metro station. It features eight beds of varying capacity, including a vertical one. Prices range from 15 rubles to 45 rubles per minute. I found the place surprisingly crowd-free and open until 11:45 p.m. The girls at the reception desk and at the bar were friendly: They turned down the music for me and mixed me a juice, too.

Last year, the Persona chain added a beauty and tanning salon. The tanning section includes eight beds, with vertical, standard horizontal and horizontal with a vibro-massage. The girls at the reception desk told me that the third is twice as healthy as it simultaneously gives you a tan and gets rid of cellulite. Another plus is that they give you a pair of goggles, protection cream, disposable slippers and a pack of Bon Pari caramels. A session costs from 240 rubles to 600 rubles. This made me really happy, although the presence of some odd-looking students from the Plekhanov Institute and a bum from a metro underpass brought me down a bit. They appeared to be looking for company to share some booze with.

You'll have to burn a good number of calories to get to the Plyazh tanning salon, which is located on the third floor of Smolensky Passazh. This is the most expensive tanning salon in town: $3 to $7 per minute. But it's a good value for the money as it creates the impression of basking in the sun at a real beach. The salon has nine beds of all varieties, including a winding one that molds to the outlines of your body. And those who love to stay fashionable will appreciate the spacious makeup room.

The aptly named Bronze tanning salon features nine beds, all of which are horizontal. Although Bronze doesn't have vertical beds, it does include a rare find: a tanning bed for two. (Here's a new date idea!) Also, a definite plus is the lack of crowds, which is strange to find at a place located so near the center. The rates are close to the average at 15 to 45 rubles per minute.

So what have I learned about the world of tanning? The first rule for those seeking that perfect shade of bronze is a sense of moderation. It's better to begin with five minutes, and gradually increase to 20-30 minutes. And you should ask a specialist's advice to figure out the number of sessions that will fit you best. Finally, those who wish to tan topless should protect their nipples with special discs or sponges. Unfortunately, these kinds of accessories are not available at salons.