Every summer my sister and I are very impatient to get tan. We usually use various sun creams and sun oils. All stuff we used was supposed to help us get tan faster and deeper. Of course, we used only sun-protecting creams. We are “big girls” already and we know what the consequences of over exposure to the sun are. We have heard all the warnings of doctors and specialists so we knew that we have to find alternative ways to get a tan. Moreover, we really wanted to get a tan but sun exposure requires time. My sister told me that she had heard from her daughter about self-tanners. She claimed that my niece liked the results self-tanners were providing. From the moment I heard this I knew that I would give it a try.

Several years ago, I didn’t like the results of the self-tanners. I remember the orange people I have met. People who used self-tanners were gaining a strange orange tint. My sister was sure that self-tanners are not still so bad. She claimed that the self-tanners have improved a lot.

Just two days after our conversation about self-tanners, I met my sister. I noticed that she had gained a nice healthy tan. She told me she had applied a self-tanner three times after our previous conversation. She was very glad of the results the self-tanners gave but she only complained that knees and elbows were a bit dirty looking. She admitted that she had not followed the instructions concerning the knees and the elbows.

I was so amazed of the results that the self-tanner had given that after our lunch I went to drug store to purchase a self-tanner. I was surprised of the number of different self-tanners that are available on the market. There were so many brands and prices – I was not able to choose. The self-tanners offered by well-known companies were quite expensive. I just stated to read the labels of the self-tanners in order to make my decision easier.

I noticed another client of the drug store who was having a very nice and healthy tan. I approached her and I asked her whether she had used a self-tanner. She told me that she had tried a self-tanner in the past. She told me also that she thought that it would be better for me to take a moisturizer with self-tanners in it. She had found that moisturizers with self-tanners do not cause discoloration of the palms or knees and elbows.

So, I decided to purchase a moisturizer with self-tanner. Such product is easier to apply as you can use it as a body lotion after you take a bath for example. I applied this type of self-tanner and after a few days, I noticed that my skin has a wonderful tan. What is more, the moisturizer with self-tanners was much cheaper than the other products. I found out that self-tanners do not build up a base for tanning in the sun. I was glad that I have found a self-tanner that best matches my skin.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning skin care. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting Self Tanners

With the recent surge in the popularity of tanning, many people are flocking to salons to use tanning booths or beds to build and maintain a healthy tan, but some people are still leery of the effects of ultraviolet light, and other people simply cannot afford to pay for tanning sessions.

One of the best alternatives to indoor tanning is sunless tanning, which offers a realistic looking tan from a bottle. These products come in cream, gel, or spray-on form, and there are benefits and drawbacks to each. If you choose spray-on sunless tanning, a number of things can be done to improve the results. You can have your tan sprayed on at a tanning salon, or you can apply it yourself.

Whichever option you choose, here are a few tips for spray tanning, to make sure the application goes smoothly.

1. Exfoliate – All the self-tanner in the world will do you no good if it attaches itself to dead skin that is about to come off your body! Use a loofah sponge in the bath the night before you self-tan to remove these dead skin cells.

2. Moisturize – Applying a good moisturizer a few hours before you self tan is a great way to make sure your skin is ready to accept the self-tanner.

3. Choose your clothes carefully – You should pick clothes that cover all the parts you do not wish to tan. Self-tanning nude is not recommended for newcomers, because the results can be unpredictable. Make sure you select tight fitting clothes so that the self-tanner cannot go under your sleeves. You should also choose dark colored clothes, since spray tanners will stain light clothes.

4. Use gloves – Nobody looks good with orange palms, so when you spray tanner on your hands in order to tan your face, don a pair of latex gloves to prevent stains.

5. If you are going to a tanning salon, follow the instructions! Self-tanning booths typically have a handout, so read up, and make sure you know what to do!

6. BLOT – After applying your spray tan, you will need to blot your skin with a towel to catch any drips.

7. Stand still – Standing still for about 30 seconds after a self-tanning booth application will ensure that your tan dries evenly. While it may take a lot longer to dry completely, the first minute or more is when you run a real risk of rubbing off the self-tanner before it has a chance to work.

8. Protect your feet – Because they typically get less sun than the rest of you, your feet are paler and may get dark faster. If you are spraying yourself, go lightly on the feet. If you are using a booth, use the paper booties (usually offered by staff) to protect your feet and apply a self-tanner later on to ensure you get the right shade.

© 2004-2005 www.Tanning-Advisor.com. All rights reserved.

Do you love the look of sun kissed skin, but worry about the long term ramifications of tanning? If so then you are not alone. For years there has been quite a bit of talk about tanning, and you may be confused by what you hear. So unless you plan to spend the summer looking like a ghost, it is important that you learn what is safe and what isn’t in the wide world of tanning.

First, I want to stress that baking in the sun is out! Every time you go outside you are exposing your skin to the elements and risking damage and premature aging. It doesn’t matter how old you are, your skin type, or your location. Sun block with a SPF of at least 15 is a must for everyone. Apply it at least 30 minutes before leaving the house, and reapply often. Once again- lying out in the sun is not an option. If you do, you can look forward to:

• Getting wrinkly skin prematurely

• Getting sunburned or blistered

• Getting skin cancer

In fact, every year over 60,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed, mostly due to unsafe tanning practices.

Doesn’t sound like something that you want to experience? Well you aren’t alone. The next option you have is tanning beds. While tanning beds offer you a bit more control over your exposure rate, they still aren’t a valid option. The sheer act of tanning is damaging to your skin. So I would skip the tanning beds and search for something less damaging.

So what else is there?

Self tanners are perhaps your safest and best bet. Now, if you tried some of these products a few years back you may be skeptical about going back. Products of yesterday used to be streaky and fake looking. Luckily technology has played a huge role in the self-tanning market and has allowed manufacturers to create a product that rivals the look of a sun-kissed tan. The trick is to find a quality product and learn to apply it correctly.

Some tips for getting a perfect self-tanner tan are:

• Exfoliate! Basically what this means is remove the dead skin cells that can dull your complexion. Dead skin cells will suck up the self tanner and leave you looking streaky. You can purchase a loofah or exfoliation cream at any beauty supply store. One hot shower and a bit of scrubbing will leave your skin in perfect condition for self-tanner application.

• Make sure your skin is dry before application. Many people are quick to start applying the self tanner right after they exfoliate. This will lead to a blotchy result that will look unnatural. So step away from the shower, dry off thoroughly, and go watch a sitcom or two. That way you will be dry and ready to get a perfect tan.

• Buy a brand that you can see when you apply. There are many things that you will want to look for when choosing a brand. Finding one that is easy to see when you apply it will help prevent over application or missed spots. You can always go back and do touch ups once it has dried, but colored creams or lotions will help make your job a bit easier.

• Use gloves to prevent streaky hands. No one has to know that you self-tan! Prevent streaky odd colored hands by using surgical gloves when applying the tanner. Your palms will come out the right shade, and you won’t have to explain yourself for a week afterwards.

• Use less product on knees and elbows for even color. Your joints are usually drier and tend to suck up more self tanner than other areas of your body. Apply less tanner to these areas for an even look. Exfoliation will also help a bit, but always work on the side of caution.

Still scared to do it yourself? Consider a professionally done spray on tan. The concept is simple; you strip down to the bare minimum and then enter a shower type stall. Most tanning salons have such devices and the shower will then spray your entire body for an all over sun kissed glow. Some salons will allow you to do it yourself, or have the treatment done by another. Once the spray on tan solution has been applied, you want to let it dry completely before putting your clothing back on.

Good luck, and get ready to start getting compliments on your sun kissed glow!

When searching to find the most effective self tanning products it is important to find one that lists dihydroxyacetone or DHA as an active ingredient. DHA is an isomer of glyceraldehydes, and is used to darken the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology, states that DHA should begin to work around 40 minutes to an hour after application.

DHA is a sugar that is dull in color, and is important to the metabolism of carbohydrates. It works by interacting with dead cells located in the outermost layer of the epidermis. In a manner of speaking, DHA reacts to the amino acids in the epidermis and produces a natural pigment called melanoidin, which bonds with the various proteins in skin cells. This bonding results in a change on skin color that lasts for about a week.

It is also important to note that melanoidin and melanin work together in absorbing harmful rays from the sun. Most self tanners only provide a protection of SPF 2, give or take, which is not high enough to offer any protection from the suns rays. It is also a good idea to wear protective eye wear and sunblock if you plan on being in the sun for a long period of time. Another important note is that many sunless tanning products available on the market today are designed to provide the user with a natural looking tan.

In about three hours from the initial application, the sunless tanner will dry and give you a tan that lasts all week. A week is just a general time line for how long a sunless tan should last, but it all depends on your skin and what part of the body has the product on it. Some parts of the body will have a different color and the tan may last longer, or not last as long as other parts.

So, where does the tan go?

Dead skin cells rub off when showering and doing other activities, and is usually the cause of a fading tan. The human skin, in fact, rejuvenates itself approximately every month. Many companies state, that in order to maintain a tanned look, it is recommended to reapply the product every three to four days. Some products may last longer, but this factor depends on the brand being used. Experimenting with sunless tanners is good, so you can find the one that fits you and your body the best.

Picking the right tanning lotion for an individual is really not that simple. There are a couple factors that must be taken into consideration including why you are trying to attain a tan in the first place. Then, the tanning lotion has to be a good match for the individual’s particular skin type for optimal results. Finally, it comes down to what your budget is and how much money you plan on spending to achieve your goal.

There are two general reasons people usually want to tan. The most common is for aesthetic reasons. Many people in western culture associate tanned skin with health and beauty. Some people are more particular and like to have a real tan while others don’t mind settling for a simpler fake tan.

For the functional purpose of having a tan, a fake tan isn’t good enough. The additional melanin in the skin that causes the skin to appear tanned does more than just look good. It actually helps the skin withstand sun light. For that reason, some people want a tan before they go on vacation so that they don’t burn too easily.

There are many selections when choosing a tanning lotion and it is important that any new lotion be tested on a small area of skin first to check for any negative skin reactions. Some people will realize that they are allergic to particular ingredients and that is why you must test the lotion before applying to larger areas of the body.

When it comes to tanning for cheap, sun bathing is the best because it is free. This alone saves a lot of money that would otherwise go to a tanning salon if you can forgo having to use a tanning bed. Shopping around for discount tanning lotion is a good idea too. Then, just remember to bring your own because convenience places will sell lotion for a higher price.

Getting to know an experienced tanner or speaking with someone at the tanning salon will allow you to pick up a lot of information about the details of tanning. It is important for a first time tanner to be careful and learn about the tanning lotions before they begin their tanning sessions.