Tanning products, both sunless and sun, work on the epidermis, or the outside layer of your skin, and not the dermis or inner layer.
When you apply a tanner or tanning lotion, crème, spray, or towlette by gently rubbing the product into your outer skin layer, those that are most effective (the ones that list dihydroxyacetone or DHA as an active ingredient), begin to work within around 40 minutes to an hour.
DHA reacts with amino acids in the epidermis, producing a natural pigment called melanoidin that bonds with proteins in skin cells. The results are a change of color that can last up to about seven days.
Here are some tips to get the maximum benefit from your sunless tanning products.
Since most self-tanning lotions have no sunscreen for protection outdoors, the best time to use self-tanners is at night before going to bed.
If done earlier, allow a minimum of two hours and test for staining before putting back on your regular clothes. Use sprays or products that contain extra coloring formula earlier in the evening, or when you have more time to "dry" after applying.
1. Choose what you want to wear for tanning lines, whether it's a swimsuit or undergarments. Choose old clothing, especially without nylon, and not loose clothing.
2. Take a washcloth to exfoliate your skin, soap, moisturizer, your self-tanning lotion, disposable clear gloves, a nail brush, a ball cap, hair pins or accessories to keep hair from your face, a sponge roller brush or paintbrush if you apply product to your back, and access to a clock.
3. If you are not going to use disposable gloves, you should to wash your hands and scrub your nails about every minutes while applying the tanning product so that they don't stain orange.
4. Start with a shower or washing to remove dead, flaky and dry skin. Wash with your washcloth or exfoliation sponge, gently going in a circular motion. Dry yourself thoroughly and get hair up off your neck. Let steam out of the room.
5. Gently rub moisturizer into knees, ankles, elbows to prepare for the self-tanning solution. Some apply this to the face and neck areas, too.
6. Suit up and apply your tanning product. Beginners should practice on small areas first.
7. Begin by applying the tanning product to your legs. Work with one leg at a time, applying in a circular motion from top to bottom. Don't rub it in thin. You want a good even coating. For feet and ankles, go ahead and apply a little thinner coating.
8. Now start on your upper body. Continue applying product upwards in circular motion. Most prefer to cover the torso first, using the roller brush or paintbrush on the back, then continue with the arms.
9. Time to finish up with the neck, face, ears, nose, cheeks. "Go thin" is the motto for these areas.
10. Now it's time for drying. Wait at least 30 minutes before coming into contact with anything. Stand and read or sit on the edge of a chair and enjoy computer games, television, a friendly phone chat or something.
11. After the 30 minutes, you can wear loose clothing. Skip the jeans and other tight clothing to allow for around one to two hours. Check your specific product instructions for guidelines.
12. Keep in mind different products have different drying times, so don't get wet, even by sweating, for at least three hours.
13. Depending upon the tanning product and your skin, you may need to wash, exfoliate the dry, flaky, dead skin cells and re-apply product every few days or so. Check your product for guidelines and monitor your skin for any rashes or other irritations that could develop.
From start of application of the tanning product until complete drying time or about three hours, you can have a sunless tan that can last all week.
The chemical makeup of tanning products as well as how they interact with different parts of your body can affect tanning results. Some areas may show color variations and the tan may last longer.
Dead skin cells rub and wear off the epidermis, resulting in the fading or losing of the tan. Roughly once a month or a period between 35 to 45 days, the epidermis is regenerated.
In order to keep a tan going long-term, many companies recommend that you reapply their sunless and self-tanning products every three days.
For more tips on getting a gorgeous, long-lasting tan check out the Sunless Tanning Guide.
About the author: Priya Shah is the owner of a health portal on Natural Herbal Health Remedies
Besides being a wonderful complement to your wardrobe, sunglasses (including... Read More
So you are nearing the end of your search for... Read More
Who doesn't want to look beautiful? Everybody wants to look... Read More
It's a catty kind of season with dramatic cat eyes... Read More
When there is easy way to do your aromatherapy skin... Read More
Many people in their middle years become depressed about their... Read More
If you are a sunless tanner, your skin's health is... Read More
When it comes to a glowing complexion what we put... Read More
Commercial tanning beds come in two basic formats. Horizontal tanning... Read More
As you age, your skin becomes slack and your muscles... Read More
Cost of non prescription color contacts can vary quite a... Read More
Cosmetic companies like Erno Laszlo, Estee Lauder and Lancome, train... Read More
Want that healthy, tanned look without that elusive Spanish holiday?... Read More
Wrinkles. One of the most dreaded words in the dictionary.... Read More
Very young girls wear their hair in pigtails because their... Read More
Beverly Hills is Mecca of all people looking for plastic... Read More
Rhinoplasty is a surgery to reshape the nose. This is... Read More
How many people know what soap really is?... Read More
Every patient has their own individual needs for plastic surgery.... Read More
Most of us love the warmth of the sun, but... Read More
Let's role on?life must go on and the life of... Read More
Dermatologists praise Retinol as an excellent over-the counter anti-wrinkle ingredient.... Read More
You want colored contact lenses but you aren't sure which... Read More
Developing an anti-aging program is the newest scientific approach to... Read More
Most women shy away from being called 'too sensitive.' But... Read More
As with just about anything in life, there are many... Read More
In today's high-stress world, a visit to a spa can... Read More
Women are constantly seeking products to look younger and often... Read More
The perfect sun tanning bed can mean different things to... Read More
Many herbs have been introduced into Australia and because they... Read More
Do you ever wake up in the morning, look in... Read More
Collagen is one of the main constituents of our skin.... Read More
When your hair goes grey it is due to the... Read More
Summer is approaching and thousands of people will be working... Read More
Right eating habits and the right natural care can do... Read More
More and more people are opting to buy their own... Read More
Do you want to look ten years younger?Here are twelve... Read More
If you use sunless tanning products it's probably because your... Read More
The age of your skin has no bearing on whether... Read More
If you are a product junkie like me then you... Read More
You may be amazed to discover that some of the... Read More
In United States of America and Canada, indoor tanning products... Read More
Want to change something about your appearance? How about your... Read More
As you age, your skin becomes slack and loses its... Read More
It must be Halloween or you are in a play... Read More
While hyaluronic acid has exploded in popularity among the cosmetics... Read More
The beauty world is going nuts this season. From coconut... Read More
We can't stop time from marching on, but we can... Read More
The risks of tanning beds aren't all that it's hyped... Read More
While many people recall seemingly endless hours outdoors soaking up... Read More
Vaser® LipoSelection? is a revolutionary advance in ultra-sonic liposuction. People... Read More
Cost of non prescription color contacts can vary quite a... Read More
Pretty and well cared for hands are more than a... Read More
Choosing to have plastic surgery on any area of your... Read More
In times of rapid change, constants lend comfort to our... Read More
Who doesn't want to look beautiful? Everybody wants to look... Read More
Why to let people know your age when you can... Read More
BackgroundThe MACS lift (minimal access cranial suspension lift) was described... Read More
-Identify food allergies and eliminate the offending foods from you... Read More
If you are a woman in your late 30's or... Read More
As you age, your skin becomes slack and your muscles... Read More
BeautyBeauty is defined as the phenomenon of the experience of... Read More
There is no denying that we live in a world... Read More
Just picture this, your walking down the beach front, its... Read More
What is holistic skin care? It's a regimen that recognizes... Read More
Why this fascination with beauty?The demand for beauty services in... Read More
Beauty |