Tanning product

You can't think about summer and gorgeous, bronzed tans without the presence of a good tanning product. Without this, the chances are many people would be hiding their pale complexions and bodies from the sun, staying out of the sun completely. Or, perhaps they would venture into a tanning salon with the aid of a tanning product specifically made for indoor tanning?

Sun tanning is something that traditionally happens outdoors in the glorious sunshine. In the last decade though, indoor tanning has become more and more popular as our lives become more and more restricted time wise. Big city living also tends to limit one's opportunity for exposure to the outdoors, unless it's a weekend and you have some leisure time and can get away to the countryside.

Outdoor tanning

These products have evolved from 1970 onwards when tanning started to become fashionable and were originally designed to promote a tan as fast as possible without any protection from the sun's UV rays. Today, the emphasis has completely changed to having tanning products that protect the skin while exposed to the sun's UV rays while at the same time allowing your skin to tan.

There are plenty products to choose from, so much so that people are becoming quite confused about what is good and what is not. Even with work done by organizations such as The Skin Cancer Foundation, or more specifically The American Cancer Society and The Skin Cancer Foundation of Australia, in warning consumers about the dangers posed through exposure to the sun for skin cancer, there is a surprising number of people who take no precautions at all, never mind know which products to choose.

Don't get sun burnt EVER. Your tan will be back to the starting blocks if you get burnt and blister and peel, never mind the potential damage to your DNA, the creation of free radicals and ultimately skin cancer.

So, in choosing a tanning product, or sunscreen, to provide the sort of protection you require, that also allows you to tan, here are a few pointers:

  • Know your skin type and therefore how high the SPF in your sunscreen
  • Make sure you get UVA protection and not just UVB. Ie. To be safe, look for Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide as an ingredient
  • Apply more sunscreen more regularly the first day you tan and gradually less as your skin acquires a tanned look, to allow your skin time to tan

    • Indoor tanning

    If you're looking for a way to build a gradual tan but don't want to actually turn to the sun's ultraviolet rays to do so, you can opt for an indoor tanning product. The difference between the two is that indoor products are designed to be used with tanning beds only, and not outdoors at the pool, beach, hiking, biking or other outdoor activities.

    This is because most indoor tanning products do not contain any SPF to protect your skin from the UV rays, which is why it is important to read the label's directions. Outdoor products pretty much all have SPF, or UVB protection, and some also have UVA protection, to keep your skin relatively safe. I say relatively safe and not completely safe, as the sunscreens UVB protection levels will reach about 97% - 98% only and UVA protection can be considerably less. Also, UVB protection without UVA protection at all makes matters worse, so you may as well wear no sunscreen.

    As indoor tanning products tend to have no protection from either UVA or UVB it is imperative that you manage your time exposed to the UV lamps very carefully and do not damage your skin. Take it slowly and allow your skin to tan gradually and you will obtain a much healthier tanned skin than one that is ramped up fast and furious. It pays to make sure your tanning product contains excellent moisturizing ingredients, without any toxic chemicals and preferably some excellent antioxidants to boost the skin's ability to fight any free radicals.

    Also, remember that it pays not to get the indoor and outdoor tanning products mixed up, as some sunscreens have ingredients that can damage the tanning bed's surface.

    Bronzers

    Another popular tanning product that is becoming quite widely used is what is known as a 'bronzer'. This type of product provides your skin with a glow that is often described as 'sun kissed'.

    Tips when using a bronzer:

  • It is important to exfoliate your dead skin cells to help promote an even tanned skin look. This applies especially to your elbows, knees, and ankles as they will typically come out looking orange or very dark!
  • Don't forget to wash your hands as soon as you're done applying the bronzer to your body, otherwise you will be left with stained hands
  • Be careful about your clothes and other items that can get stained if they come into contact with the bronzer

    • Amplifier

    Another type of product that is being used more frequently is known as an amplifier. This product creates a moist layer on top of your skin, which serves to catch the ultraviolet rays and absorb them. The theory behind this is that the end result is a natural tan that also allows for plenty of moisture and hydration for your skin.




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