Safest Way to Get a Tan
With all of the concern over the damage the sun can do to skin, undoubtedly, the safest way to get a tan is with one of the many sunless tanning products on the market. Even tanning beds put you at a risk for melanoma, so getting your color from a bottle or a professional spray tan is clearly the safest option. Sunless tanners work because their active ingredient, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), reacts with dead skin cells to darken the outer layer of skin. The tan gradually fades as skin cells slough off, so it is necessary to reapply in order to maintain color. Though many people are wary of uneven application or turning their skin orange, the products available today work very well. Following these tips for application will also help you achieve a natural-looking color.
Things You'll Need
- Sunless tanning lotion, mousse or spray.
- Cotton balls
- Soap
- Nail brush
- Body lotion or cream
- Washcloth or exfoliating sponge or loofah
- Robe or loose clothing
- Long sponge with handle.
Instructions
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Applying Self-Tanner
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1
Take a shower or bath and exfoliate skin by washing with soap and water using a washcloth, puff or loofah. Be sure to rub skin in a circular motion to remove any dead cells. Rinse and dry yourself thoroughly.
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2
Apply regular lotion to any body areas with fine lines, such as your elbows, knees, feet, hands, face and neck. These areas tend to absorb sunless tanners more. The regular lotion will help prevent dark spots.
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3
Take your sunless tanner and apply evenly to your entire body, face and neck. Work as quickly as possible, working the self-tanner in a downward motion. Be sure to use a light hand - especially on your knees, feet, ankles and elbows. For your back, if no one is available to help, apply the tanner using a sponge with a long handle. Do not apply to your toes, the sides or soles of your feet at all. Do not apply to the backs of your hands yet.
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4
Wash your hands thoroughly, using a nail brush to remove the tanner from under your fingernails Dry them well.
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5
Using a cotton ball, apply self-tanner to the backs of your hands and carefully blend where your hand meets your wrist.
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1
Tips & Warnings
After applying self-tanner, remain naked for as long as possible to let the tanner dry. Thirty minutes is optimal, but 15 minutes will suffice. When you do get dressed, wear loose clothing such as a robe or night gown.
You must work quickly when applying self-tanner because the longer it takes, the more likely the palms of your hands will be stained.
Avoid bathing and sweating for three hours following application. Eight hours is optimal.
Exfoliate often to maintain your tan.
You can use surgical gloves to apply tanner, but application can be streaky.
If you hate the color you get from your self tanner or you have streaks, bathe and exfoliate often to try to tone things down. You can also swim in a chlorinated pool. This helps the color fade too.
References
- Photo Credit tanned blond #2 image by Lev Dolgatshjov from Fotolia.com
