What's the Best Face Tanning Lotion?
Regardless of how dark or fair you are, it is a good idea to wear a full-spectrum sunscreen of at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor). As you spend more time in the sun, your skin will continue to tan and darken.
Tanning lotions made specifically for the face generally are more gentle than those made for use all over the body. There are waterproof "sports" formulas as well as lotions for infants, children and those with sensitive skin.
If you have very fair skin, tend to burn or have a family history of skin cancer, you can still get a face tan by using facial self-tanners that can fake even George Hamilton.
Does this Spark an idea?
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Identification
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The American Cancer Society advises everyone to wear sunscreen daily to protect the skin from risk of developing skin cancer. Melanin in the skin varies greatly for each individual, and when we sun our faces, we may tan or burn and, over time, wrinkle. Painted furniture peels in direct sun; imagine that strength of the sun's burning rays on your face.
Significance
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In the U.S., it is a sign of leisure and good health to have a tanned face and body, but in other parts of the world, this is not necessarily so. In many Asian countries, for example, many women take great pains to keep their faces pale and protected and untanned.
Face-tanning lotions should protect your skin from burning while you tan. Look for an SPF of at least 15. Reapply if you exercise or perspire heavily or go swimming.
The sun's rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are very fair-skinned, you might choose to sunbathe before or after those times to not tempt a burn.
An increasingly more popular option is to use self-tanning products that tint the skin overnight or over several hours. Results vary, so you may want to test a small area such as your inner elbow before applying to your face and neck. -
Features
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Face-tanning lotions are made by many beauty manufacturers and often include vitamins such as A, C and E, which are antioxidants. These antioxidants can protect the delicate skin on the face from premature aging.
Waterproof sunscreen is generally heavier and thicker to cling to the skin.
Sensitive skin may be best slathered with face-tanning lotion that has lavender, an essential oil pressed from lavender flowers. It is known to calm and soothe skin and is safe to use on most children and infants.
Considerations
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The American Cancer Society estimates that one million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer each year. Skin cancer makes up almost half of all cancers detected each year. In 2007, nearly 60,000 people were diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, and nearly 9,000 people will die from it.
If you spend a lot of time sunbathing, make a habit of weekly scanning every inch of your skin to note any irregularly shaped moles or changes. Do not attempt to remove any moles on your own. See a dermatologist if you notice any moles that grow larger or have an irregular border.
Warning
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All people should wear some kind of sunscreen while exposed to the sun. Do not attempt to get a dark tan on your face if you are naturally very fair and have a history of sunburns. Always apply a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 and reapply as needed. Aim to gradually build a tan on your face over several days, not just a weekend.
Do not use products or food items not designed to protect your delicate skin, such as baby oil or other food-grade oils. See your doctor if you have a sunburn that is painful or if you experience chills or a headache: you may have heat stroke along with your sunburn.
The American Cancer Society advises people who have a family history of skin cancer, are very fair-skinned, have jobs that exposes them to a lot of ultraviolet light (sunlight) and have a history of severe sunburns in childhood to reduce their sun exposure. These people are at greatest risk.
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