Summer is upon us and you want to get a tan to show off tops and shorts, or do you have to get married in the middle of winter and want to have a nice healthy glow? Whatever the reason, getting a tan will make you feel good, giving you a vital and healthy look. However, it is important to proceed safely: the UV rays emitted by the sun or lamps can damage the skin and cause tumors. Thanks to this article you will discover how to have a beautiful tan in a natural way or with lamps, preventing possible damage. You will also learn how to create a luminous and absolutely safe effect with the help of cream self-tanners or spray treatments.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Get a tan outdoors
Step 1. Gradually increase exposure
When you start sunbathing, don't expose yourself for more than 1-2 hours at a time. Before repeating the exposure, wait a couple of days. Melanin, the pigment that colors the skin, is activated when UVA and UVB rays are absorbed by the skin. When this occurs, more melanin is produced for protective purposes. It is thanks to this procedure that the skin darkens, then tans. The body does not generate unlimited melanin: it takes a couple of days to reproduce enough to protect itself from a burn. As a result, when you start getting a tan, go step by step and don't expose yourself every day.
- The formation of a single growing blister doubles the chances of having melanoma, which is the most dangerous skin cancer. This risk is also doubled for those who suffer more than 5 normal burns in the course of their life.
- Generally speaking, tanning has a limit for everyone. After a certain level, the skin does not darken further. Continue to expose yourself to the sun regularly and follow the steps outlined in this article to maintain the color.
Step 2. Exfoliate your skin regularly as you try to tan
Exfoliation will remove dead skin cells, which block the sun's rays. It also fights dry skin, and dry skin is known not to absorb the sun's rays well. Use a loofah sponge, gentle exfoliating soap, or full-body scrub while showering or bathing. Once the skin is dry, apply a moisturizer.
- Do not use harsh and abrasive exfoliants, otherwise you risk damaging your tan, with an ugly patchy effect.
- Don't exfoliate after sunbathing. For example, if you shower as soon as you get back from the pool, exfoliate your skin the next morning.
- Don't exfoliate every day, just do it twice a week. Overdoing it will remove the protective oil layer, excessively drying the skin.
Step 3. Use sunscreen
It will seem counterproductive, but it will make you tan more gradually, allowing you to obtain a longer lasting result. When trying to tan for the first time, apply a sunscreen with SPF 15-45 about 20-30 minutes before going out in the sun. The right sun protection factor depends on your skin type and your propensity to get burned.
- Once you have a basic tan, you can reduce the sun protection factor, but it should never be less than 10.
- If you plan to take a bath, use a waterproof sunscreen or reapply it when you come out of the water.
- Sunscreen also prevents sunburn, which can severely damage the skin (not to mention tumors) and almost always cause peeling or peeling. In the event of a burn, you will need to start all over again.
- Don't forget a lip balm with SPF.
Step 4. Protect your eyes
If you are tanning outdoors, it is important to wear a hat or a pair of sunglasses with a UV filter. The eyes can also burn, with severe and persistent damage.
Step 5. Change your position when you go out in the sun
Switch regularly from the prone to the supine position to achieve an even tan. When tanning your back, extend your arms with palms facing up, and vice versa. If summer has just begun and you are starting to tan, you shouldn't be exposed for more than 2 hours at a time. Remember that a gradual tan is also longer lasting, so switch sides every 15-30 minutes. You also need to stretch your arms over your head regularly to tan the inside of your limbs and armpits.
Stop exposure if you feel sleepy. If that's not possible, go to the shade to avoid getting burned
Step 6. Apply your moisturizer at least once a day
Hydration is one of the main factors in achieving a beautiful and lasting tan, as it prevents the skin from drying out. Remember that dryness is made worse by UV rays. Hydrate more than once a day, especially before bed and after showering. During the day, apply a light cream all over your body; Choose a more full-bodied one before going to bed, focusing on the parts that are most likely to move and bend, such as hands, elbows, ankles, knees and feet.
- Carry a small squeeze of cream to reapply to problem areas often throughout the day.
- If you have acne-prone skin, use an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer so you don't clog your pores.
Step 7. Hydrate from within as well
Do not let the skin dry to the point that it cannot absorb the sun's rays. Hydration also helps get rid of toxins, making the skin healthier and the tan longer lasting. Moisturizing from the inside allows you to achieve a beautiful complexion. Drink enough throughout the day. If you feel excessively thirsty or your urine is dark yellow, increase your water consumption.
Regular internal and external hydration allows you to kill 2 birds with one stone: you will have hydrated skin and you will prepare it for tanning
Step 8. Promote circulation
Another secret to getting a good tan is to exercise before sunbathing. Physical activity promotes blood circulation by stimulating the production of melanin. Instead of taking your car to the pool, go for a jog or run.
There are also lotions that promote tanning, to be applied before exposure to the sun. They promise to promote a greater supply of oxygen to the skin surface, thus increasing circulation and stimulating melanin
Method 2 of 4: Getting the Lamps
Step 1. Choose a good salon
Tanning centers offer different packages, promotions, special prices, products and treatments. Without a recommendation, it is difficult to choose one. Here are some factors to consider:
- Before choosing an offer, ask the salon to detail the rates, so you can understand if you can afford the service when the promotion is no longer available.
- Consider the convenience factor, such as being close to home or work, having an obligation to make an appointment, or having this service in the gym you usually go to.
- Ask if high-efficiency lamps are used and how often they change them. Also ask if you can see the sunbeds or sun showers to get an idea of the maintenance.
- Look around: is everything in order? Between one customer and another, do employees clean up the sunbeds or sun showers in the cabins? For example, if the reception looks dirty to you, that's definitely a bad sign.
- Talk to the staff. A professional should help you analyze your skin type, so that you can prepare a program that allows you to tan quickly without burning yourself.
Step 2. Decide how to get a basic tan
It is possible to do this by constantly and gradually increasing the sessions, times and intensity of the lamps. It all depends on the program that the chosen salon proposes to you. In general, you will only need to go every 2-4 days at first with sessions of about 5-7 minutes, and then continue accordingly.
Don't think that you need to go for longer sessions just because you have fair skin, otherwise you risk a bad sunburn
Step 3. Consider using specialty lotions
Various salons will try to sell you different types of specific creams to accelerate and intensify the tan, make it last longer and so on. Many of these products (accelerators, maximizers, bronzers, intensifiers) are quite expensive and the reviews on their effectiveness are mixed. Go online to read reviews from consumers who have tried them.
- If you decide to experiment, try them one at a time. In fact, if you use more than one and get the desired result, you will not be able to understand which one has really had an effect. Plus, trying one at a time is also less expensive.
- These products are often cheaper online than in beauty salons.
- If you have found an effective tanning lotion and used it, do not shower immediately after the lamp: wait 3-4 hours. In any case, remember that taking a shower after a lamp doesn't fade your tan - it's just an urban legend, it's not true at all.
Step 4. Apply sunscreen
Just like the sun, lamps expose the skin to UV rays. If you decide to use a tanning lotion, check that it has an SPF of at least 15, otherwise apply a sunscreen 20-30 minutes before the lamp.
Step 5. Decide whether to undress completely to get the lamp
Some prefer to wear the swimsuit they intend to use on the beach or in the pool, others go naked. Choose according to your needs.
- In any case, using different costumes will cause an uneven effect, possibly even a striped tan.
- Put on the protective goggles that the salon provides, otherwise buy them. Closing your eyes or placing a towel on them is not enough to protect them from UV rays, which can seriously damage the retina. Also, to avoid the dreaded raccoon effect, move the goggles around your eyes during the session.
Step 6. Prepare your skin for tanning
Just like when you have to go out in the sun, always make sure you exfoliate before you get a lamp and hydrate afterwards.
Step 7. Move in the bed
Just like when sunbathing, you need to settle in so that all parts of your body are exposed to the rays for approximately the same amount of time. When you make yourself a lamp, you do not have to go from the prone to the supine position and vice versa, in fact the lights are absorbed from above, from below and partly also from the side. As a result, you just need to turn slightly in various directions from time to time.
Think about the parts of the body that bend (such as the hollow of the arm or the base of the neck) or where skin accumulates. If you don't fix them often, your tan will be uneven and wrinkles will form
Step 8. Maintain the base tan
After you get it, you will usually only need to get your lamps twice a week. A good salon won't try to convince you otherwise. Also keep exfoliating, using moisturizer, and drinking plenty of water.
Method 3 of 4: Apply Self Tanners Correctly
Step 1. Choose a self-tanner
On the market you can find different types: gels, creams, lotions, mousses and sprays. In addition to texture, consider color, which is mostly determined by an additive called DHA (dihydroxyacetone). Choose it with your complexion in mind, not the result you intend to achieve. If you have fair skin, opt for a medium tone. If you have an olive complexion, choose a darker one. Here are some suggestions.
- To choose the right product, the first thing to do is to read online reviews.
- Self-tanners containing green pigments help counteract the orange effect.
- Lotions are often preferable for beginners, as they take longer to absorb and make it easier to correct mistakes. On the other hand, mousses and sprays dry earlier, so better use them after getting experience.
- The gel is easy to apply and is ideal for those with normal or oily skin.
- Before you start, try applying the product to your tummy (which is usually pale), then let it dry and set overnight. The next morning, observe the area to see if the color is right for you.
Step 2. Before proceeding with the application, prepare the skin, eyebrows and hairline
Shave or wax, exfoliate from your face to your feet and make sure your skin is completely dry. This last part is fundamental. Also apply petroleum jelly on the eyebrows and as close as possible to the hairline: if the product ends up on the hair or on the hair, it will not alter the color.
- If you choose to wax, do it at least 24 hours before applying the self-tanner, so that the skin does not get irritated. In fact, waxing is sometimes preferable to razor: shaving every day can make your tan last less.
- Similarly, limit exfoliation. Self-tanners generally only last a week, so don't scrub until you have to repeat the application. Avoid oil-based exfoliants, as they leave residues that can cause uneven streaks to form.
Step 3. Put on disposable tight-fitting latex gloves
They will prevent your hands from turning orange or darkening during application.
Alternatively, you can wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after application
Step 4. Use some moisturizing lotion
Massage a non-oily lotion onto your knees, ankles, elbows, around the nostrils and other particularly dry areas to help absorb the self-tanner. Someone applies a light lotion all over their body before tanning, but it is not necessary; among other things, many advise against it.
Step 5. Apply the self-tanner in sections
To prevent wrinkles and creases, start with the feet before moving on to the ankles and legs. Use about a teaspoon (5ml) of self-tanner at a time and apply it in small circular motions. Next, spread it over your stomach, chest, shoulders, hips, arms, and underarms. Take off your gloves and apply some to your hands, avoiding the palms. At this point, massage it on your back with a special cream applicator. Finally, put it on your face: a very small amount is enough for cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. Blend it towards the outside of the face with your fingertips. Apply the remaining product along the hairline and jaw.
- After applying to your face, wash your fingers thoroughly with soap and water.
- Cream applicators can be found online at a relatively moderate cost. If you don't find them comfortable, ask someone to help you put the tanner on your back.
- If you use a spray self-tanner, you can apply it to your back in the shower cubicle. Turn to face your back and spray a generous amount behind you, then step back to enter the "cloud" of product. Repeat several times to make sure you evenly cover the skin.
Step 6. Start the drying process
To speed it up, take a hair dryer, set it to a moderate temperature and aim it at all the areas on which you have applied the self-tanner. Just a few seconds per area. Afterward, you just have to wait. Some say 15-20 minutes is enough, but be patient at least an hour before getting dressed or going to bed.
- Before getting dressed, apply a thin layer of baby powder without talc with a brush. This will prevent you from staining your clothes.
- Since at this stage water is the number one enemy of tanning, do not take a shower and avoid sweating (so don't work out) for at least 6 hours after application.
- It is best to apply it about 1-2 hours before going to bed. You should also wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants to make sure you don't stain the sheets. Also, lay some towels on the bed.
Step 7. Correct the errors
If you notice patches or uneven distribution upon waking, you can remedy the problem with a couple of methods. First, you could apply a little more self-tanner and blend it well (especially effective for lighter areas or patches). Alternatively, you can massage lemon juice into the area for 1-2 minutes, then rub it gently with a damp towel (preferable when you notice an area that is too dark or streaked).
Step 8. Maintain a tan
Each self-tanner has a different duration, but usually you have to repeat the application once a week. It is possible to extend the time by regularly moisturizing the skin, using gentle and non-abrasive cleansers, avoiding acne treatments containing retinol, not exfoliating more than once between applications.
Remember one thing: even if you look tanned, you still need to apply sunscreen protection
Method 4 of 4: Spray Tan at the Beautician
Step 1. Prepare the skin
To get started, wax or shave 24 hours before applying. On the day of treatment, remove dead skin with a non-oily scrub for an even effect, paying particular attention to dry areas, neck, chest and face, where streaks are most likely to form. After showering, do not use oils or moisturizers. Finally, take off your make-up well.
Step 2. Dress right
Before getting dressed, the spray will have plenty of time to dry, but dark clothing is still recommended. For the treatment, you can take off your clothes completely, put on your swimsuit, a thong or a pair of panties (choose an old one, because you risk damaging it permanently).
Remember to bring a spare pair of briefs
Step 3. Choose the color
As has already been advised with self-tanning creams, don't overdo it. If you have a fair complexion, opt for a light or medium tan. If it's olive, go for a medium or dark effect.
Remember that different devices have different color settings and options. The secret is not to overdo it. Subtle changes are more valuable than drastic ones: the shriveled effect doesn't look good on anyone
Step 4. Apply a protective cream
After taking off your clothes, you need to apply a barrier cream or lotion to the parts of the body that should not be touched by the spray, such as palms, areas between toes and hands, soles of the feet. The salon usually makes this product available.
Step 5. Prepare for treatment
If you go to a salon, they will invite you to take different positions, so forget about shyness for a few minutes. Some booths are similar to automatic car washes: you go into them and the beautician will give you directions, for example he will tell you when to turn around. There are also DIY booths: they are much less expensive, but often there is a greater risk of spots and imperfections.
- During the process, you will be applied the self-tanning spray. Subsequently, a moisturizing solution is often sprayed and drying is carried out.
- If the beautician does not dry you and the excess solution remains on the skin forming transparent or brown droplets, you must immediately pat them with a towel, so that they do not run on the body and do not form streaks. Instead of wiping from top to bottom, start with your feet and work your way up your legs. Then, start at your wrists and work your way up to your arms and shoulders. Finally, finish with the face, from chin to forehead.
Step 6. Avoid contact with water, exercise and touch your skin
The tan will continue to develop for several hours and the skin will feel sticky to the touch. If you touch it during this time, wash only the bottom of your hands to get rid of the tanning solution. Also avoid coming into contact with water and exercising (otherwise you will sweat) during the development phase.
Step 7. Wait 8-12 hours before showering and washing your face to help your tan develop completely
When you take your first shower, don't be surprised if you see colored water flowing. They are simply self-tanner residues. The tan will still be intact.
Step 8. Maintain a tan
The spray treatment usually lasts 4-10 days. As advised with self-tanning creams, do not exfoliate between sessions, also limit hair removal as much as possible to extend the duration of the tan. Hydrate at least once a day, especially before bed, but use a water-based product to avoid streaking. Here are some products and treatments to avoid (this list also applies to those who use self-tanning creams):
- Acne medicines that exfoliate the skin;
- Hair bleaches;
- Face masks;
- Alcohol-containing tonics.
- Oil-based make-up removers;
- Take long, hot baths.
Advice
- Remember to buy a darker tone of foundation, powder and bronzer to match your tan.
- Remove your make-up before tanning so that your pores can absorb the sun's rays.
- Nowadays baby oil is no longer used for the purpose of tanning: it is well known that you risk a bad burn.
- If you go to the beach, sometimes the heat will be mitigated by the breeze, so you risk exposing yourself to the sun for too long and getting burned.
- If you get burned, apply aloe vera to your skin. You can also try a cold bath with a couple of cups of vinegar or oatmeal.
Warnings
- Skin type I (characterized by platinum, blond or red hair, freckles, blue eyes and a certain predisposition to burn) should never be exposed to the sun or lamps.
- Many medicines and topical solutions are photosensitizers, that is, they can cause allergic reactions when an individual who uses them is exposed to UV rays, indoors and outdoors. If you notice rashes, itching, peeling, inflammation or abnormal swelling, stop tanning and see your doctor.
- Many argue that lamps are safer than tanning outdoors. The Skin Cancer Foundation claims otherwise: According to several researches, people who use high-energy lamps are subjected to exposure that is equivalent to 12 times the annual doses of UVA of those who tan outdoors. They are also 74% more predisposed to the formation of melanoma, a type of malignant tumor.
