I Still Want a Tan
I Still Want a Tan – What Should I Do?
If, despite all the warnings, you are still insistent that
you want a tan, there are some safer alternatives to baking in the sun.
The best way is to
fake it!
Fortunately, this allows you a safer way to get the warm
glow you are seeking. There are two main
types of fake tans you can get – bronzers and sunless-tanning products.
Bronzers:
Bronzers are applied to anywhere you want more color – your
face, neck, arms, legs, stomach. You simply
wash them off at the end of your day.
Bronzing products come in powder, spray, or stick
forms. It is not always easy to find one
that you like, so if possible, seek advice from a professional in the cosmetic
industry to help you choose.
Bronzers can get on your clothing if you are not careful, so
you want to be aware of that. Certain
types may dry on your skin, but powders can rub off onto your clothing.
Sunless Tanners:
You may hear the term self-tanner used. It means the same as sunless tanners.
Sunless tanners contain the chemical, dihydroxyacetone (DHA ). Like
any chemical being applied to your body, you will hear controversy surrounding
its safety. In general though, it is
said to be safe for using to get a "tan." It is also approved for use by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA).
Here are some things
to keep in mind when using sunless tanners:
1.
Be prepared
to try a few different kinds to find one that you like
If you find one that you like the first time, you are very
fortunate! It is normal to have to test
a few different kinds to find one that matches your skin tone. This is because you may find some that make
you look yellow or orange, and you do not want that. With patience though, you can find one that
you like that looks natural.
2.
Beware of
the mist
You can find sunless tanners in lotions, gels, and sprays,
for example. Just be careful though,
that if you are using a spray, that you are not breathing in the mist.
3.
The color
lasts about five to seven days
This is normal as you shed dead skin cells regularly. In addition, if you are exfoliating, your tan
is not going to last as long as you remove the top skin cells. It is also advised that you moisturize the
areas, that you have applied sunless tanner to, to prevent less sloughing of dead
skin cells. However, do not do this for
at least four to six hours after applying the tanner, otherwise you could end
up with poor results.
4.
Prepare your
skin before using the sunless tanner
Make sure to have a shower or bath, shave, and exfoliate your
skin using a loofah before applying
the tanner.
Do not use any deodorant, and do not use lotion on your body,
as this will prevent the tanner from absorbing well. However, you can put a little lotion on your
heels and hands, as these areas tend to be very finicky to apply tanner to and
can often appear too dark if you apply too much tanner.
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