If you're planning to use a tanning bed (despite the latest suggestions to the contrary), you will get greater benefit from your tanning time if you use a tanning bed lotion as well.
There are several kinds of tanning bed lotion available, with the main ingredient in most of them being tyrosine. Tyrosine is an amino acid whose main function is to stimulate the production of melanin, high levels of which darken the color of your skin.