Skin Tanning Tips and Alternatives

Excessive sun exposure is still the Number One cause of premature aging; but who can resist a sexy tan, right? Not to worry, here are some safe tanning tips and alternatives for you.

1. Use a generous application of sunscreen, and reapply every 40-80 minutes when outdoors. Get something with a high level of Sun Protection Factor (SPF). Don’t worry, because it protects you more against the harmful UV rays than spoils your fabulous tanning ritual. You may use tanning lotions on top of your sunscreen if you really insist on getting a tan.
2. If you’re thinking about soaking up in beer as substitute to tanning lotion… think twice. It does work, but beer is malt liquor. It does the same thing to your skin as alcohol, dry up your skin.
3. Pat yourself dry after a swim because the sun’s rays penetrate wet skin more than dry.
4. The safest time to tan is before 10AM, and after 3PM, but make sure you still arm yourself with other protective necessities.
5. Sun can also damage your hair, so wear a scarf or bandana. Also, do not shampoo before hitting the beach, as our scalp’s natural oils will provide the protection for the hair. Instead, slather on some leave-on conditioner to prevent your mane from drying.
6. Protect those pucker-uppers with lip balms infused with SPF, like Nivea lip balm with SPF 25.
7. Bring along your fave sunglasses, as the skin on the surrounding areas of your eyes are more sensitive and prone to wrinkling than the rest of you. (Just don’t sleep with them on because there’s a very likely chance you’ll make up with white circles around your eyes)
8. As for indoor tanning, there are several less-harmful ways to go. Tanning beds are really popular, especially in the US, but it doesn’t come cheap. However, direct light from these tanning beds also emit UV rays — in other words, they can still damage your skin. Whether they claim to use short or long wave radiation, it doesn’t matter, they just damage your skin in different ways.
9. Opt for a cheaper, safer alternative in achieving that bronze glow. Indoor tanning lotions allow you to get a quick tan even without stepping outside. Just apply a generous amount every so often and voila! Instant tan! The only downside is that the color may sometimes fade to an orangey shade. It is better to test the product on a tiny portion of your skin — let’s say, at the back of your palm — and see if you like its coloring effect before slathering it on the rest of your body.
10. One of your best bets is airbrush tanning, which they offer now in salons and dermatological centers. This is a process wherein a tanning solution is sprayed onto the body, and left on for the main ingredient — dihydroxyacetone — to interact with the dead skin cells and outer layer of the skin. Therefore, it naturally darkens the skin, and it fades like a real genuine tan. This lasts for about 7-10 days, and the effect looks best right after the treatment. This is one of the best alternatives to tanning because it provides more control. You can choose which areas of your body you want to darken more.. or less.