How to Get the Best Tan without Being in the Sun
Sunless tanning is a great way to avoid painful sunburns that can eventually lead to skin cancer. Since the 1950s, DHA (dihydroxyacetone) has been approved as safe for the skin and used as an alternative to achieving a healthy glow without baking in the sun. When done wrong, though, self-tanning can look more orange than the golden color you are probably looking for. The keys to a beautiful and natural-looking tan are in the type of self-tanner, the preparation of the skin and the application itself. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Exfoliate your skin. There are a few ways to do this. Use a sugar or salt body scrub, an apricot scrub or an exfoliating mitt. Focus on your knees and elbows, where the skin tends to be thicker and rougher.
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Apply a light coat of petroleum jelly to your eyebrows, fingernails, toenails and cuticles. When you apply your self-tanner, the petroleum jelly helps prevent the tanner from soaking into these spots.
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Apply the self-tanner in light coats in sections. Be sure your lighting is sufficiently bright so that you can see what you are doing. Start with your legs and work your way up the body, finishing with a light coat on your face. When applying self-tanner near the knees and elbows, rub a bit vigorously to avoid an accumulation in those spots. Some people avoid application to their hands; others may opt for a light coat on the tops of the hands. When doing your hands, be aware that you need to wash your palms in hot, soapy water to avoid "orange palm syndrome," which is a dead giveaway of self-tanning.
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Build your tan gradually. This method helps you avoid streaks. If you begin your self-tanning application a few days before an event, you'll have time to fix any trouble spots.
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Allow your tanner to dry completely before dressing. This can take at least five minutes, but allowing it to dry for about 10 minutes should suffice, unless the product instructs otherwise. If you must dress quickly after application, choose something with a dark, loose fabric.
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Tips & Warnings
Try a few different brands to find the one that works best for you. The upside of the more expensive brands is a better scent. DHA tends to leave a not-so-pleasant smell, which is one indication of a "fake bake."
Be aware of how a natural tan looks and how the sun hits the body. Apply tanner in a way that mimics this for the most natural-looking self-tan.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
