Don't want to expose your skin to the sun's damaging rays, but don't want to miss out on that sun-kissed glow? Consider striking a compromise with sunless tanning products. Start by understanding how sunless tanning products work — and the importance of applying them correctly and carefully.
Sunless tanning products, also called self-tanners, can give your skin a tanned look without exposing it to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sunless tanning products are commonly sold as creams, gels, lotions and sprays you apply to your skin. Professional spray-on tanning also is available at many salons, spas and tanning businesses.
The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is Dihydroxyacetone also known as DHA for short. DHA is a colourless sugar that interacts with the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, causing a color change - i.e. DHA is the ingredient makes the 'magic' happen. The developed tan 'colour' doesn't wash off, it gradually fades as the dead skin cells slough off — typically within a few days. The fact that DHA doesn't go deeper into the skin enables the products based on it to produce the tanning effect without posing any risk for the skin or causing any side effects. While the application technology is much improved, DHA has been used for decades and has been declared safe by the Food & Drug Administration.
What makes each sunless tanning product different is the amount of DHA used and what other ingredients are added to the product. Some of the more expensive formulas may contain products like Erythrulose - which is similar to DHA but is slower to develop. This ingredient means that you can get a deeper tan colour and that it will fade off beautifully. Also many formulas include cosmetic bronzers so you have a beautiful tan colour while your DHA tan starts to develop. These bronzers usually rinse off although some can blend with the sunless product to further develop the tan colour.
Most first-time customers are amazed at how natural and attractive the resulting tan is. Sunless tans generally last around a week depending on your individual body chemistry and other factors like how often you shower, shave or exfoliate, each of which can remove some of your 'tanned' skin cells. To extend the life of your tan, you should moisturise daily to hydrate your skin and minimise exfoliation.
Your skin continuously exfoliates every day. In fact, every 35 to 45 days, you have an entirely new epidermis. That is why all sunless tanners will eventually fade.
It is essential to keep in mind that just because you have a healthy glow from using sunless products it doesn't mean that you can disregard your usual skin safety. Sunless Products are not a replacement for sunscreen, and your skin is not immune from damage.
So, if you're planning to head outside to show off your new glow, maintain your normal measures against skin damage; be sure and apply some extra sunscreen.