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Exfoliate to prepare your skin for its optimum tan.different colored washcloths face cloths and loofah image by Steve Johnson from Fotolia.com
Exfoliate first and get smooth, moisturized skin. Use a loofah or washcloth and get rid of any dead skin cells and rough patches, especially heels, ankles and elbows. Dry off thoroughly and follow up by smoothing your skin with a moisturizing lotion, preferably with an SPF, all over your body. If necessary, repeat this step to ensure you don't have dry skin and your skin is silky smooth. - 2). Pick a good sunless tanner. Even if you don't want to go to a tanning salon or don't have the budget to go somewhere sunny, you can still create the illusion of having naturally tanned skin by just doing these first two steps. Self-tanning products have become quite advanced by using a color additive called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) approved by the FDA for topical use, according to the Dihydroxyacetone Information Bank website. Ensure that your tanner has a pH less than 6; otherwise, it is likely that you'll turn orange. You can apply your sunless tanner every day if desired, and you won't have to worry about the sun's harmful rays.
- 3). Go to a tanning salon or sunny locale. Apply tanning lotion before exposing your skin to the tanning rays. There are tanning products that contain L-tyrosine and Unipertan, which help increase your skin's melanin production to give you a darker tan, according to TanningLotionIngredients.com. If you want to speed up the tanning process and get instant color while you build your base tan, select a high bronzer lotion.
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Tan gradually to establish a base tan.sunbather image by Wimbledon from Fotolia.com
Tan gradually to establish a base tan. If you are tanning indoors, your first few sessions should only last a maximum of five minutes to avoid the risk of sunburn. Ask to go in a super, burn-free bed, if possible, as these beds have a 12-minute maximum and special bulbs that will not burn your skin. If tanning outdoors, limit sun exposure to 15 to 20 minute intervals. Short, gradual exposure to UV rays will help you tan faster and lessen your risk of sunburn or sun poisoning, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Once the base tan is established, you will then be able to tan longer without the risk of burning. - 5). Wait four to six hours after you tan before bathing so your bronzers can penetrate your skin and give you a nice pigment. Remember to keep your skin moisturized to replenish the vitamins and nutrients that are lost during the tanning process. Daily moisturizers for tanners typically contain L-tyrosine, vitamins and antioxidants. Use the moisturizers after tanning, after bathing and at night before sleeping, to promote healthy skin and increase melanin production.
- 6). Visit the tanning salon a couple of times a week to maintain your tan, once your base tan is established. If outdoors, you'll have the sun to help optimize your new bronzed look, but once you return to a less sunny home base, you may have to go to a salon and spray tan or use a self-tanner to ensure the tan stays with you.
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