Natural glow – the sunless way

SHAR ADAMS
EPOCH TIMES STAFF

Get ready for summer this year without putting your skin at risk. Gone are the days of skin damaging sun baking and solariums. With a huge array of sunless tanning products now available it is a lot safer to achieve that healthy summer look minus those unhealthy ultraviolet rays.

Knowing the types of tanning products available will give you the advantage in choosing the right one for you. Self-tanning products are sold in creams, lotions, gels and sprays. Alternatively you can drop in to your local beauty therapist and indulge in a spray tan; most beauty salons will include this on their list of treatments. As much as you want your tan to be effective it』s important to know what is going onto your skin.

The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA causes the skin to temporarily darken. The colour will come off with your dead skin cells and will basically be completely gone within 5–7 days. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies DHA as safe when applied to your skin. No real research has yet been compiled on inhalation so try to block your mouth and nose when getting a spray tan done. A spray tan will take around five minutes but the spraying will stop and start, so just hold your breath when the spray gun is on.

Self-tanning products usually go onto your skin clear and gradually start to darken. It can take anywhere between 8–24 hours for the full tanning effect to settle into you skin, although most products you will notice straight away.

Sunless tanning products have progressed in recent years to ensure you don』t end up the same colour as one of Willy Wonker』s Oompa Loompas (bright orange if you haven』t seen the movie).

Skin preparation and application will also help the end result to look natural and even. To get the absolute most out of your sunless tan follow these few easy steps below.

Be confident as you step into summer this year with natural looking sun kissed skin.

• For an even application hair removal is important. If you wax, it is recommended that it is done 48 hours before applying your tanning product.

• Exfoliating is very important to avoid a streaky tan and will ensure the tan stays on for as long as possible.

• Choose a colour that will suit your skin. For example: if you have super pale skin choose a lighter colour tan. If you choose a colour far darker than your natural skin your end result will be very unnatural.

• Apply the tan lightly to dryer areas like elbows, knees and ankles as they have a tendency to soak up the tan.

• With a spray you won』t be able to shower until approximately 10 hours after the tan is applied and loose clothing will need to be worn – so factor that in when planning your tan.

• Fake tan doesn』t have any sun protection so if you are heading into the sun with your fabulous glow – keep up the sun protection with at least factor 15 sunscreen.