How to Get a Good Tan Without Going to the Tanning Bed

Using self-tanning products gives the skin a beautifully tanned glow.

Tanning beds are an effective way of getting a tan, but the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) states the use of tanning beds can pose serious health problems like skin cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel suggests that parental consent should be a criterion for children and teens to use tanning beds. The side effects of tanning beds supersedes its physical advantages. There are safe self-tanning products that can be used to achieve the same result as a tanning bed without health consequences. These self-tanning products or tanning booths are more convenient, relatively cheaper and less time consuming than a tanning bed.

Things You'll Need

• Moisturizing cream
• Exfoliating cream
• Tanning booth or Tanning machine
• Self Tanning cream
• Barrier cream

Instructions

1. Rub in sufficient barrier cream to the areas that absorb excess lotion, such as joints and nails, before applying the tanning lotion for an even application of the lotion. Apply a tanning lotion evenly on your body. Ensure a thorough application of the tanning lotion all over the body and if possible, get help to apply the lotion on the parts of your body that your hands cannot reach.

2. Go to a tanning salon that has a self-spray tanning booth or a tanning machine. These booths and machines spray the tanning products over you in a relatively short time and are very effective because they ensure an even distribution of the tanning lotion on your body.

3. Spend about one hour laying in the sun anytime before 12 p.m. or 4 p.m. when the radiation of the sun is not at its peak. Find a spot where there is no occlusion to the sun. Lay on your back for about 30 minutes and turn over to your front for the remaining time to ensure an even tanning.

Tips & Warnings

• Use good-quality self-tanning products to prevent the pale orange color that comes with inferior products. If you cannot afford a good self-tanning product, hold off on tanning and eat healthy to maintain a natural healthy glow.

• Use an exfoliating cream to rejuvenate the skin and remove the dead skin cells. Use a moisturizing cream consistently to retain moisture and prevent dark patches on the skin caused by self-tanning creams on dry skin.

• Exfoliating and tanning creams can be found from any beauty salon. Use a moisturizing cream all over your body about eight hours after a tan for a long lasting effect; ensure that your skin is dry before applying any moist or wet product on it to prevent wiping off the tanning product.

• Compare different qualities before using any product. Do not use sun lamp to get a tan. Do not apply self-tanning lotion on dry skin. Do not use too much tanning product on your skin. Close your eyes and hold your breath when the tanning product is used around your face, or use protective devices like nose plugs and goggles. Do not take a bath or apply anything moist or wet on your body until at least eight hours after a tan. Avoid excessive exposure to sun during tanning as this can also cause cancer.

References

• The Fun Times Guide: Safe Tanning tips
• Skin Cancer Foundation: Advocacy
• Teens Health: Tanning

Resources

• Doctors Approach: Skin Cancer Prevention