How to Get a Year Round, Safe & Fast Tan
A sexy, bronze glow is achievable year round no matter where you live. Instead of visiting a tanning bed, which some doctors have deemed hazardous to your health, you can get golden results out of a bottle of sunless tanning lotion. Sunless tanning lotions contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which react with your skin's dead skin cells to create a faux tan. After applying a sunless tanning lotion, a tan will develop in less than four hours. The best part is that your skin will not be exposed to harmful UV lights which can cause skin cancer. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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How to Get a Year-Round, Safe & Fast Tan
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1
Shower before applying sunless tanning lotion.
Since the DHA adheres to the top layer of skin, you will want to remove all the dead skin cells that will flake off quickly. You can exfoliate your skin in the shower with a loofah or a washcloth. If you are shaving your legs or any other part of your body, you will also want to do this before applying the sunless tanner. When you shave, you take off the top layer of skin. If you shave after the lotion is on your skin, you will take away some of your tan as well.
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2
Avoid makeup and lotions before using a sunless tanner.
There are certain minerals in both makeup and lotion that will act as a barrier between your skin and the sunless tanner. If you have lotion on your skin before applying the sunless tanner, you may end up with streaks and an uneven tan. For the best tan, you will want to apply your tanner to clean and clear skin.
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3
Shake the bottle of sunless tanning lotion before applying the lotion to your skin.
By shaking the lotion, you will insure that all the ingredients have mixed together. Squeeze lotion in your hands and apply evenly to your entire body. Use a light coating of lotion on your skin. Rub the lotion in until your skin absorbs all of it. Immediately wipe the palms of your hands after you are done. This will prevent your palms from turning orange.
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4
Dress in loose clothing while you wait for your tan to develop.
If the lotion gets on your clothing, do not fear. The lotion will come off easily with laundry soap and water in a washing machine. Don't expose your skin to water during the four-hour period after you have applied the lotion. Water can cause the lotion to come off and you could end up with a blotchy tan. After the four-hour waiting period, you can shower as usual.
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5
Apply self tanner every couple of days as needed.
If you want a darker tan, you can apply the lotion every day until you reach your desired darkness. However, the DHA only sticks to the top layer of skin. Your skin will naturally exfoliate and you will lose your tan within a few days unless you reapply the lotion.
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Tips & Warnings
Test the lotion on a small, hidden area to make sure you are not allergic to it.
References
- Photo Credit Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images
