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Article Series: Sunless Tanning
Enjoy a Healthy Looking Tan All Year Long
With A Sunless Tan
Sunless
Tanning Tips
- Avoid possible
skin allergies by not using sunscreen products with PABA.
- Apply lip
sunscreen products approximately 45 to 60 minutes before you head
outdoors.
- Apply other
sunscreen products anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours
before being exposed to the sun’s rays,
unless
directed
differently on the package (check application instructions
for each product).
- For people
with sensitive skin, choose a product with a chemical-free
block ingredient like titanium
dioxide.
- For fussy children or even for those who just want to make their outdoor activities
more fulfilling,
check out the variety
of sunscreens on the market that are formulated
for children. Products come in scented varieties cherry,
chocolate
and watermelon, and in easy-to-use forms like in
nifty spray bottles.
- Avoid alcohol-based
products for children, as they can irritate their young
skin.
How
To Apply Self-Tanning Products
Tanning
products, both sunless and sun, go to work on the epidermis,
or the
outside layer of
your skin, and
not the dermis or inner
layer. However, the layer of epidermis
that is affected by sunless versus the layer affected
by sun tanning
products differs.
Sun tanning lotions, sprays, gels and
other assorted items, go to work on the stratum
basale or deepest layer. And sunless
tanning products go to work on
the stratum
corneum or outermost layer.
Applying
Self-Tanning Products
WHEN
: 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
your regular clothes back on. Note
that if your lotion contains extra
coloring
formula or if you’re using a spray,
staining could be a major issue;
so use
these types of products earlier in
the evening or when you have more time to
“dry” after applying
(at
least
a few hours).
WHAT
: Gather your necessary items together. Choose what
you want to wear
(for tanning
lines), whether
it’s a swimsuit,
undergarments,
etc. Use caution in your choices
because the product may stain or run so choose
older clothing,
especially
without nylon (permanently
stains this fabric), and not loose
clothing (to inhibit runny lotions).
You will
also need to
be able to
shower or wash beforehand.
So round up a cotton washcloth or
whatever you use to exfoliate your skin (sponge
and other
product, etc.), soap, any moisturizer
you may want to use, your self-tanning
product, 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 will apply product to your
back, and access to
a clock.
TIMING
NOTE : if you are not going to use disposable gloves,
you will
need
to wash
your hands and
scrub your nails
every few minutes while applying
the tanning product so that they
don’t stain orange. Hence the need
for the timer mentioned above.
WHERE
– Begin with a shower or bath to remove dead,
flaky and dry skin.
Wash with your washcloth
or exfoliation
sponge,
gently going in a circular motion.
Special areas of focus are your
knees and lower
legs, your
ankles and
feet,
and your elbows.
When finished, dry yourself,
including your hair, thoroughly, and get
hair up off your neck.
Let steam
out of the room,
if you’ll be continuing in there.
(Remember: moisture like steam & sweat
can cause the self-tanning product
to run / wear off.)
MOISTURIZER
STAGE : Gently rub
moisturizer into the special
areas of focus
mentioned above (knees,
ankles,
etc) to
prepare (prep) for the self-tanning
solution. Some people apply
this to the face and neck areas,
too.
SELF-TANNER
STAGE : Now
it’s time to suit up and apply your
tanning
product.
Note:
beginners should
practice
on small areas
first.
FIVE
MINUTE LEGS : 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 coat.
For feet and ankles,
go ahead
and apply
a little thinner coat.
You can skip sides of feet,
toes
and heels
or go
lighter here or
mix
in moisturizer
a little
for easier coverage (knees,
too). (If you
are not using gloves, work
quickly and check the timer
to wash
up when
finished with
this stage).
FIVE
MINUTE UPPER BODY : Continue applying
the product
upwards in
circular motion.
Most prefer to cover
the torso first,
using a roller brush
or
paintbrush on the back,
then continue
with the arms. If it’s
taking a while
to cover all areas and
you’re not using
gloves,
remember to
check
the clock
and wash hands
and nails thoroughly
before continuing. (Treat elbows
as you did knees).
FIVE
MINUTE NECK-UP : Time to finish up with
the neck,
face,
ears, nose,
cheeks. “Go thin”
is the
motto for
these areas.
DRYING
STAGE : 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. After
30 minutes,
you can wear loose
clothing. Skip the
jeans
scene,
though, and other
tighter clothing for
around one
to two hours.
Check your specific
product instructions
for guidelines.
FOLLOW
UP STAGE : Keep in mind different
products
have
different
drying times,
so you don’t want
to get wet,
even by sweating,
for at least three
hours. Depending
upon the tanning
product and
your skin and
genetics, you
will want
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.
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