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Sunless Tanning
By:
Published: September 19, 2006
Go from light to tan in a matter of seconds.
If the results of tanning salons are not fast enough already, sunless tanning products are making them instantly achievable. Sunless tanning products have turned the quest for bronzed skin from a convenient service within your city to a look you can instantly achieve without leaving home.
Aside from being convenient, sunless tanning products generally are considered harmless options for your skin. Sunless tanning products, which are sometimes called self-tanners or tanning extenders, can give your skin a tanned look without exposing it to the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.
How They Work
The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is the only color additive approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in sunless tanning products.
When applied to the skin, DHA reacts with dead cells in the outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) to temporarily darken the skin's appearance. The coloring will not immediately wash off; it gradually fades as dead skin cells are removed. In most cases, the color is completely gone after five to seven days.
Many products such as lotions, creams, gels and sprays are available at department stores and are designed for in-home use. When applied, they typically go on clear; results become evident in approximately an hour. Although full color will not appear for between eight to 24 hours, some products contain a tint, which will instantly darken your skin.
Besides home products, spray-on tanning is available at tanning salons and spas. These professional applications usually offer the best results for sunless tanning and can last longer than at-home products.
What are the Risks and Benefits?
Sunless tanning products generally are regarded as safe alternatives to sunbathing and tanning beds. DHA has been deemed safe by the FDA when applied to your skin. This is not to say, however, there are no risks associated with sunless tanning.
The risks of inhaling or ingesting DHA are still unknown, so care should be taken with the application of spray-on tanning products. Since these are generally applied to all parts of your body, including your face, and they temporarily remain in the air, this increases the potential for the product to get in and around your eyes, near your nose or onto your lips. To avoid ingesting or inhaling the product, make sure you shut your eyes and hold your breath during the application. Some salons also offer eye and nose protection when they perform these sunless tanning services.
Sunless tanning pills are among the most unsafe sunless tanning options. These products are not yet approved by the FDA. They often contain large amounts of the color additive canthaxanthin, which, when taken in large amounts, settles in parts of your body, including your skin. Also, its effects can vary with each use and can turn the skin a range of different pigments, from orange to brown. Other possible side effects are the formation of crystals in the retina of the eye, known as canthaxanthin retinopathy, nausea, cramps and diarrhea.
How to Apply Sunless Tanning Products
Forget the fake, streaky stereotype associated with sunless tanning products. Just follow these easy tips to achieve fool-proof, natural looking results:
• Exfoliate before you apply the product. Since it is designed to darken the pigments of dead skin cells, the fewer there are to remove, the longer the results will last.
• Do not use spray-on products if you are not experienced with self-tanning methods. They are the most difficult to evenly apply and easily streak.
• Wash your hands at least every five minutes when applying the product so it will not stain them. It may also be helpful to use gloves.
• Since products tend to build up on rough areas of skin, such as elbows and knees, rub lotion onto these spots five to ten minutes after product application.
• Use a light- to medium-toned product, which often yields the most natural looking results.
• Lightly moisturize your skin before you apply the product. If not, areas of dry skin will quickly absorb the tanning product and the results will be uneven.
If the results of tanning salons are not fast enough already, sunless tanning products are making them instantly achievable. Sunless tanning products have turned the quest for bronzed skin from a convenient service within your city to a look you can instantly achieve without leaving home.
Aside from being convenient, sunless tanning products generally are considered harmless options for your skin. Sunless tanning products, which are sometimes called self-tanners or tanning extenders, can give your skin a tanned look without exposing it to the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.
How They Work
The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is the only color additive approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in sunless tanning products.
When applied to the skin, DHA reacts with dead cells in the outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) to temporarily darken the skin's appearance. The coloring will not immediately wash off; it gradually fades as dead skin cells are removed. In most cases, the color is completely gone after five to seven days.
Many products such as lotions, creams, gels and sprays are available at department stores and are designed for in-home use. When applied, they typically go on clear; results become evident in approximately an hour. Although full color will not appear for between eight to 24 hours, some products contain a tint, which will instantly darken your skin.
Besides home products, spray-on tanning is available at tanning salons and spas. These professional applications usually offer the best results for sunless tanning and can last longer than at-home products.
What are the Risks and Benefits?
Sunless tanning products generally are regarded as safe alternatives to sunbathing and tanning beds. DHA has been deemed safe by the FDA when applied to your skin. This is not to say, however, there are no risks associated with sunless tanning.
The risks of inhaling or ingesting DHA are still unknown, so care should be taken with the application of spray-on tanning products. Since these are generally applied to all parts of your body, including your face, and they temporarily remain in the air, this increases the potential for the product to get in and around your eyes, near your nose or onto your lips. To avoid ingesting or inhaling the product, make sure you shut your eyes and hold your breath during the application. Some salons also offer eye and nose protection when they perform these sunless tanning services.
Sunless tanning pills are among the most unsafe sunless tanning options. These products are not yet approved by the FDA. They often contain large amounts of the color additive canthaxanthin, which, when taken in large amounts, settles in parts of your body, including your skin. Also, its effects can vary with each use and can turn the skin a range of different pigments, from orange to brown. Other possible side effects are the formation of crystals in the retina of the eye, known as canthaxanthin retinopathy, nausea, cramps and diarrhea.
How to Apply Sunless Tanning Products
Forget the fake, streaky stereotype associated with sunless tanning products. Just follow these easy tips to achieve fool-proof, natural looking results:
• Exfoliate before you apply the product. Since it is designed to darken the pigments of dead skin cells, the fewer there are to remove, the longer the results will last.
• Do not use spray-on products if you are not experienced with self-tanning methods. They are the most difficult to evenly apply and easily streak.
• Wash your hands at least every five minutes when applying the product so it will not stain them. It may also be helpful to use gloves.
• Since products tend to build up on rough areas of skin, such as elbows and knees, rub lotion onto these spots five to ten minutes after product application.
• Use a light- to medium-toned product, which often yields the most natural looking results.
• Lightly moisturize your skin before you apply the product. If not, areas of dry skin will quickly absorb the tanning product and the results will be uneven.
Featured Sunless Tanning Products:
