Why Choose Sunless Tanning?
Sunless tanning became hugely popular in the 1980s and has since gone on to be a multi-billion dollar industry. Everyone wants to have a smooth and silky bronze look, and with the self-tanning products flooding the market, it is now possible to have a beautiful tan all year round. People all over the world have become addicted to the craze of gaining a fresh look with a tan, and products that promise bronze skin are snapped up as quickly as they are put on the shelves. Sunless tanning is a safe and easy alternative to lying in the sun all day or regularly visiting tanning beds and can help to keep you from getting a nasty sunburn or eliminate the possibility of skin cancer. Many people worry about the risks of lying in ultraviolet rays due to the amount of recent information discovered about how bad it can be for your skin. That is why many people choose to self-tan; it is a much better and safer way to gain a nice color. The dangers presented by tanning in ultraviolet rays are well documented, and these rays can deeply penetrate your skin, leaving you with unsightly marks or, even worse, skin cancer. With such wide varieties of sunless tanning available, you will be sure to find the one that suits you best.
Types Of Sunless Tanning
There is a wide variety of sunless tanning products available:
Sunless Tanning Foam
A massive advantage of using the foam is that you will find it easier to get even coverage over your body than spray or lotion. People often complain about streaks when they use self-tan, and this problem is easily eliminated by using some sunless tanning foam. When you are applying the foam, it is simple to notice if you miss an area, and you won’t have an ugly, streaky tan.
Sunless Tanning Lotion
A huge advantage that sunless tanning lotion has over the other products is the addition of sun cream in the formula, which allows you to happily go outside in the knowledge that your skin is protected. This addition to the lotion makes it the most popular of all sunless tanning options, and it is clear to see why. Another benefit of using the lotion over the other options is that it can help moisturize any dry skin you may have because most sunless tanning lotions also include moisturizers. A small disadvantage of using the lotion over, for instance, the foam, is that it is much more challenging to apply, and the chance of streaks is much higher. Beyond this, sunless tanning lotion is undoubtedly the safest option to meet your needs.
Sunless Tanning Spray
This type of sunless tanning is most often the preference of tanning salons which are famous for the booths you can enter to receive a spray. If you find it very difficult to apply sunless tanning spray to yourself, the option of having it done professionally can help to achieve excellent results. The downside to this is that it will cost a lot more than doping it yourself at home. If using sunless tanning spray on yourself, remember that it isn’t necessarily better than the easier-to-apply alternatives. Unless you have a lot of experience in applying the spray, it may lead to a streaky tan. This option isn’t the best for people suffering from dry skin.
Top Sunless Tanning Tips
Sunless tanning requires concentration and practice, but by following the tips below, you can achieve a perfect sunless tan:
- When you decide to tan, it is best to shave any areas where you don’t want hair at least an hour beforehand. For women, this may mean shaving your legs, bikini area, and armpits; for men, it may mean shaving your chest and face.
- Using an exfoliating cream before applying your tan can help lead to excellent results. If you regularly use an exfoliator, then you should already be able to achieve an even tan. If not, then it is best to exfoliate directly after shaving and around an hour before applying the spray tan. Plenty of exfoliating products are available on the market, and it is best to use them when using the bath or shower. Doing this will remove all those dead skin cells and leave you feeling fresh and clean.
- There is no point applying spray tan to skin that is wet as it will lead to streaking. Ensure your skin is dry and there is no moisture in the air of the room you are using to apply the spray tan. It is also important to stay away from water up to two hours after application.
- Use some Vaseline on your eyebrows before beginning the tanning process. This is an excellent trick that will help keep your eyebrows natural in color and help to protect them.
- Using a moisturizer before tanning is a matter of preference, but if you have dry or damaged skin, it is highly advisable to apply some moisturizer beforehand, especially if the spray tan doesn’t contain any moisturizing qualities.
- When beginning the process, ensure you have gloves on to protect your hand and nails and stop them from turning a nasty color.
- Applying the tan to your head first is the best way to begin; make sure you have your eyes closed when using the spray tan on your face, and try not to breathe when spraying.
- After this, apply the spray tan to the lower part of your body, ensuring that you take care when spraying your feet, and use the sponge to make sure the tan is even.
- You can then proceed to spray the rest of your body, trying to keep a steady hand and even spray. Be extra careful when spraying your hands, as this is the area where most people go wrong.
- Use a long wand after applying the spray tan on your back to ensure it is evenly covered; it may feel a bit awkward but will become easier with practice.
- Once you have covered everywhere with the spray tan, take a strong tissue and carefully wipe your wrists, elbows, the top of your feet, and your knees; these are high-risk areas and require extra attention. The purpose of this is just to ensure they don’t turn a strange color and don’t wipe the tan entirely off.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap, making sure you spend a good five minutes giving them a thorough clean. With spray tanning, it may seem that your hands are fine, but after a few hours, they can turn a weird color if not washed properly.
- Use a hair dryer to dry all the areas of your body that you have just sprayed. There is no need to spend a long time doing this, but it is just a trick that can help speed up the drying time of a spray tan.
Helpful Tricks When Sunless Tanning
Beyond the main tips listed above, there are many ore little tricks you can use to ensure an even and beautiful tan; follow these steps for your perfect sunless tan:
- Using beauty products such as lip balms, lipstick, Vaseline, or mascaras are fine to have on during and after your tan. Anything that goes on your facial area around the eyes or lips does not cause interference with the tan.
- Do not sweat, get wet, swim or exercise until you have had your first shower after your spray tan. If you do get wet, it may cause you to streak.
- When you do take a shower, the bronzer is going to wash off. You don’t need to work at getting the bronzer off; just let the water from the shower remove it.
- Instead of wiping yourself dry after you get out of the shower, it is advised to pat yourself dry instead.
- The tan is not going to just disappear, and you are going to notice it fading. You can start exfoliating when you notice it is starting to fade or in preparation for your next tan.
- Mascara and lip treatments such as Vaseline, lip gloss, or lipstick do not cause any problems with the tan.
- Medical treatments for acne are also not advisable to use during the week your spray tan is on.
- It is best to have any facial or body waxing is done before using a spray-on tan. DO NOT get waxed after you have finished your spray tan and before you shower.
- You are allowed to go in the sun after your tan is done. However, it is best that you wait at least one day before doing so. Applying SPF while out in the sun is always highly recommended.
- Going in the sea or a pool after your tan is okay. It would be best if you also waited at least one day before doing this. Chlorine may make your tan fade faster. However, it is not going to remove the tan immediately.
- Face washes containing substances such as salicylic acid are not recommended to use. This is because they can eat away at your spray tan.
- Go easy around water the day you get sprayed – this includes everything from doing dishes to brushing your teeth. While you can still do these things, it is advised that you use caution when you are near water to ensure you do not mess up your spray tan.
- If you have small children, it is best practice to bathe them before applying your spray tan.
- If you wear eye shadow, blush, or face makeup, sleep with your makeup on that night.
- Your face is going to fade faster since you wash it more frequently.
- It is also best advised that you get a pedicure before you come in for your tan. DO NOT get one after your spray tan and before you shower. If you get one before you come in, make sure they wipe off any lotion. However, getting a DRY pedicure after your spray tan is okay.
- Threading and waxing of eyebrows and lips should be done prior to your tan.
- Try not to touch your skin to see if you are sticky. The solution feels sticky while it is in the developing phase before your first shower, which is normal. If you touch your skin and do not wash the insides of your hands, your palms may end up becoming stained because palms are not supposed to come in contact with the spray tan solution. If you do accidentally touch your skin, this is fine. Just wash the insides of your hands as directed by your spray tan specialist!
- It is recommended to moisturize at least once a day. You can start moisturizing after your first shower.
- If you are going on holiday after your tan, it is certainly advisable that you wear sunscreen. It is also a good idea to combine moisturizer with your sun lotion and try applying both on at the same time as you would normally apply your sunscreen – especially after sitting out in the sun for a lengthy period, being in the sea, or swimming in the pool.
- If you are waiting until the next day to shower and you would like to work out, shower before you work out and then shower again. Working out with the bronzer on may cause your tan to streak. Even if you just rinse the bronzer off and then take a full shower after your workout.
- If you are waiting until the next day to shower, when you wake up, you will be darker than you were the day before; this is because the bronzer is still on you, and the spray tan has fully developed.
- Limit the shaving of your legs, as this is also a form of exfoliating. You can still shave your legs; however, we do not advise doing it daily.
- Remember to remain calm when applying the spray tan and relax your muscles.
Is Sunless Tanning Good For Me?
Yes! Sunless tanning is so popular for a reason. Using products to create a beautiful skin color eliminates any chance of getting sunburn or skin cancer. Sunless tanning is safe, fun, and can produce amazing results.
