Self Tanners Are Faster Than Traditional Sun Bathing

By Haywood Hunter


With recent concern over skin cancer due to over exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays, more people are turning to self tanners. Self tanners are a safe, easy, and quick alternative to traditional sun bathing. There are many self tanners on the market that promise to deliver an even and bronzed complexion at several different intensity levels.



Self tanners all work in the same way, they essentially dye the outer layer of dead skin cells. The chemicals used in self tanners are typically erythrulose and dihydroxyacetone (DHA). The two main ingredients in self tanners are completely harmless, if not a little smelly.

DHA is derived from sugar and is completely safe to apply to ones skin. Once the self tanners saturates the surface of the skin and dyes it, the color visible will slowly fade throughout the week as you shower and sweat. The more you exfoliate or wash, the more color comes off. It is not uncommon for people to reapply self tanners throughout the week to achieve darker color or to replace the color lost through washing.



Self tanners come in many varieties. There are foams, sprays, gels, towelettes, liquids, and lotions. Everyone has a different preference for a type of application. Since skin varies from person to person, some might find that gel works better on them than a lotion or visa versa. Those who try the product and don't like it can easily remove the color by soaking in baking soda baths and allowing the color to come of in a few sessions.

Self tanners are very inexpensive and easily acquired. Lotions with added color enhancers, meaning they build a gradual tan with each application, start at four dollars for a six to seven ounce bottle. Slightly higher quality and beginning at eight dollars for the same size bottle, are gels and sprays. These self tanners lay an immediate foundation of color. Self tanners can be bought in the cosmetic section of a local department store or pharmacy.

Self tanners range in price as they do in brand and size. Some brands will charge up to one hundred dollars a bottle. The price will depend on size, brand, and location. Most consumers find that a high price can be worth the benefits and the quality of the product. This also includes the reduced risk of exposure to the suns harmful rays as you build a tan. Even so, some individuals prefer not to do the application themselves or at home. For this purpose tanning salons and beauty salons provide a spray tan service. The spray can either be applied by a professional or a standing booth with misting jets.

Having a professional apply a bronzer with a misting spray assures an even coverage; however, leaves tanning lines from the consumers bathing suit or under garments. Spray tan booths can eliminate tanning lines since consumers can disrobe completely in the privacy of the standing booth. The only disadvantage to the private standing booth is the uncertainty of the spraying jets.

With little or no risk, self tanners are a small but great investment to make. It is recommended that consumers do a sensitivity test on a small area of their skin to test for any reactions prior to large applications. Choosing a particular self tanner to use might take some experimentation. In the long run, by using self tanners one can avoid dangerous ultra violet rays and still sport a deep summer tan year round.




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