Here, we are going to find out a possible answer to this question. Yes you can use a sunscreen lotion in a tanning bed. But that defeats the whole purpose of it.
The only component of the UV radiation that causes cancer and from which you are trying to save your skin is the same component that helps you get the tan.
So, if you put a lot of sunscreen lotion, it is just going to block the UV rays and the whole process would be rendered useless. So, if you are using some sort of a sun block, yes you are definitely reducing the chances of skin cancer. But on the other hand, you are also making the tanning bed less effective.