Self Tanning Lotions

6 Tips for a Flawless Fake

Self tanning lotions today are nothing like those nasty products of the last century! Early adopters of Coppertone’s QT, the novel sunless "Quick Tanning Lotion" were eaily spotted back in the '60s. Orange streaked skin was the price to pay for a sunless tan in the hippie era.

Fast forward to the 21st century. When properly applied, today’s self-tanners yield a natural looking tan... sans harmful UV rays!

How does this magic work? Self-tanners contain DHA (dihydroxyacetone, for inquiring minds). DHA is a colorless sugar that reacts with amino acids on the outer layer of skin. Within 8 to 24 hours of application, a transformation occurs...

Voilà... tanned skin!

The downside? Sunless tanning lotions produce an instant tan, but it is short-lived... lasting only five to seven days. To maintain this tan, you must reapply every few days.

Here are some hints I’ve found useful for a "Great Fake:"

Sunless-Tanner Tips

• Shower and exfoliate skin before applying the self-tanner. Use a washcloth, loofah mitt, or sugar scrub. This will remove loose skin cells, laying the foundation for a smooth application and a longer lasting tan.
• With smooth strokes, massage the tanner onto skin. A few extra minutes spent on an even application will pay off in the appearance of the finished tan.
• Dry, thick-skinned areas such as elbows and knees in addition to bony areas such as toes and ankles need less lotion. Skip these spots on the first pass. Then go back and apply a very small amount.
• When finished, wash hands thoroughly, including underneath fingernails, to avoid dark palms and nails. Follow up by applying tanner to the top of hands using a cotton ball.
• Get naked! Wait 20-30 minutes before dressing. This will help protect clothing from stains. Tanning in the evening before bed eliminates potential clothing disasters, but you may find some streaks on your sheets.
• Don’t bathe or shower for at least 6 hours, preferably letting the tanner work overnight. This will deepen the color.
• Moisturize daily to help preserve your tan.

Remember, self-tanners are NOT sunscreens! Although some contain an SPF of 2 to 4, this is not adequate sun protection. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF15 or higher before you hit the sun. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

For an all-natural self-tanning lotion, try Lavera Sunless Tan. It is free of parabens and synthetic ingredients. Alba Botanica Sunless Tanning Lotion is a less expensive alternative, but is not 100% natural. It is free of parabens, however, and contains fewer synthetic ingredients than most other self-tanning lotions.