How to Get a Darker Complexion
It's not uncommon for someone with a fair complexion to wish for darker skin. Dark tans are associated with beauty in today's society and have therefore become a desirable trait. You can darken your skin -- but only temporarily. Your skin will return to its natural shade if you don't maintain your tan. Nevertheless, there are a few ways to darken your complexion. Choose the one that you feel best suits you. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Lie out in the sun. This is the most basic method of darkening your complexion and involves the least amount of work. Wear your sunglasses (especially when lying on your back) and apply sunscreen every 20 minutes. Make sure your sunscreen is at least SPF 15 or higher.
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Use a tanning bed. Tanning beds can be found in tanning salons, as well as in many gyms. You won't have to spend nearly as much time in a tanning bed as you would lying outdoors to get the same results. For this reason, it's recommended that you use this method only a few times a week at the most. Never tan more than once per 24 hours when using tanning beds, as they produce a concentrated amount of UV (ultraviolet) light, which damages the skin. For this same reason, it's still necessary to wear sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) when tanning in a bed. Be sure to wear UV-blocking eye protection too.
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Use a self-tanner. Products such as Neutrogena MicroMist, Sally Hansen Airbrush and St. Tropez Self Tan Bronzing Mousse, available at most retail stores, will darken your complexion instantly. Test one of these products on an inconspicuous area of your skin before applying it to your entire body, though, as they may cause you to look orange or streaky. Read reviews on the product before purchasing and follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.
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Get a spray tan. This is a similar process to applying a self-tanner, in the sense that it's applied directly to your skin to darken your complexion. However, you don't apply it yourself, a professional does it with a light spray bottle. This makes for a smoother application and a more realistic-looking tan.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid getting burned if you lie out in the sun. Although some people think this will tan their skin eventually, it actually just makes your skin peel and leaves you with blotchy red marks. Try tanning for 20 to 30 minutes at first and build your way up from there.
References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
