All About Self-Tanners – Tanning Without Burning in the Sun
Self-tanning is not only safe and effective, it can keep you from burning your skin to a crisp in the sun! Self-tanners can help prevent skin cancer (by reducing your time spent in the sun), keep your skin wrinkle-free, and reduce age spots and other discolorations that the sun can contribute to.
But, oh those summer days!
“Summer is the time when one sheds one’s tensions with one’s clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit,” said Ada Louise Huxtable. “A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all’s right with the world.”
To keep your skin healthy, you may want to keep your clothes on hot summer days — but I love Huxtable’s advice about shedding your tensions! One way to reduce stress is to stop worrying about skin cancer or age spots; click on SheerTan Sunless Tanning Wand and Tanning Spray – Self-Tanning at Home for Your Perfect Indoor Tan for a self-tanning option. And, here’s a basic summary of tanning without burning in the sun, plus info about tanorexia (an addiction to tanning beds).
All About Self-Tanners – Tanning Without Burning in the Sun
Sunless tans are more popular than ever because they’re fast, easy, and reduce wrinkles and aging skin. Plus, they keep you out of the sun, which could contribute to a lower risk of skin cancer. There are more and more self-tanning, streak-proof products on the market – such as the airbrush tanning kit (similar to SheerTan’s above).
Self-tanners or sunless tanners work by combining an active ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) with the amino acids on your skin. This interaction causes your skin to get that tan color – so when you buy a self-tanner, make sure it says “DHA” on the label.
Are self-tanners safe? Here’s the good news from Ariel Ostad, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in New York City and a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the New York University Medical Center: “There are a lot of equally good products and they are all extremely safe. You can put them on and go into the sun, but you will probably still need sunscreen for protection.”
What’s the best self-tanner on the market? That’s the “burning” question! “A self-tan that may be great on one person makes someone else look orange,” says Bruce E. Katz, MD, the medical director of the JUVA Skin and Laser Center in New York City. “Do a small area first before you commit and try not to experiment before a major social event.”
You have to keep experimenting with tanning lotions until you find the right one for your skin type. The best one for your skin type may not be the most popular self-tanner on the market. Katz says, “It’s trial and error and really a question of finding the right one for your skin.”
Dr Katz is a fan of the sunless airbrush tan, which involves spraying the DHA solution on your skin with a spray gun. “It is actually very reliable and you get good results. Not much in the way of streaking,” he says. “You can do it in a spa or purchase an at-home kit.”
Sunless tanners: gels or lotions? “Gels are drying,” says Dr Ostad. “I’d choose lotions or sprays because they go on easier.” When you’re looking for a good self-tanner, avoid the gels. To keep your skin healthy and young-looking, read 10 Healthy Skin Care Tips.
“Tanorexia” is an unhealthy dependence on tanning beds, with withdrawal symptoms similar to alcohol and drug addictions. Researcher Carolyn Heckman, Ph.D., of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Pennsylvania, says that tanning dependence is known as tanorexia because of its similarities to both substance addictions and body image disorders, such as anorexia. “There is some evidence that UV tanning dependence may have biological underpinnings like other addictions, such as the production of endorphins as in the ‘runner’s high,’” she says.
Do you have any tips on self-tanners, or tanning without burning in the sun? I think they’ve improved dramatically from the streaky, orange-colored tanners of my youth – but again, it depends on your skin and the type of self-tanner you use.
SkinCareRX has some great products for your skin – including Sun Science Skin Care Products.
Source of the info on self-tanning products: WebMD’s “Summer Buyers’ Guide, Sunless Tanning Lotions.”
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Comment by Safe Self Tanning on 17 August 2009:
Very informative post on sunless tanning. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on 18 August 2009:
Thanks for taking the time to comment! I’ve never been a big fan of sitting out in the sun for hours, but definitely like that bronze glow
Self-tanners seem like an ideal solution. Never tried them myself, though.
Comment by Tanning lotions on 25 November 2009:
I’ve never actually tried a self tanner, I’m always worried about looking orange. But from what I’m reading, it sounds like they have come along way since the first ones, maybe I’ll give them a go this winter.
Comment by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen on 27 November 2009:
Yes, I think self-tanners have come a long way….I haven’t tried any myself, but a friend of mine uses self-tanning lotions regularly. They work for her!