Everyone should know by now that sitting in the sun to get a tan is very bad for your skin. But everyone loves that look of being tanned. Its like it gives your skin a healthier look. The real idea why tanning is so wanted is due to the fact that in the 1920's a bronzed Coco Chanel came back from the islands vacationing and declared to the world that a suntan was a "fashion accessory". Never mind the damage it does to your skin over time when you suntan using sunlight.
There are ways to give yourself a fake tan without paying big money getting a spray on tan or laying under a sun lamp or bed. Here are a few thoughts on fake tanning that you need to think about.
Any treatment that you give your skin after application of the self tanner will obviously be affect by it.
If you exfoliate your skin after having applied a self tanner then there is a possibility that it could make the tan look streaky.
Always exfoliate your skin BEFORE applying any sunless tanning lotions. That also means your face as well. There are now self tanners created just for your face, They are not as strong and meant only to give you that golden glow not that over-baked look. A really good salt or sugar scrub for your body works great. When applying your tan try to do it in a relaxed manner.
If you don't have enough time to apply the tan evenly over your whole body then postpone it until you have sufficient time.
There are two reasons why I say this because if you're applying the tan in a rushed manner then you are unlikely to blend it correctly for it to look natural. You may end up with dark spots that are hard to lighten up.
The second reason is when you're rushing you're more likely to perspire.
When you perspire this can have a reaction with tan and result in a color that is not quite what you want. Also when applying your fake tanning lotion, do your knees ankles and elbows last. Any spot that is drier will absorb more causing those spots to become darker and look un-natural. Always give the tan time to dry before getting dressed.
If this is not possible then wear light baggy clothing that will allow the tan to dry without causing marks.
Be aware that shaving can also cause the tan to look streaky so if you do need to shave any parts of the body do so before applying the tan. But then so does trying to apply you fake tanning lotion on hairy legs, so just make sure to shave all parts of your body first.
Moisturizing twice a day will help to prolong the time your tan will last. If the self tanner is one that you apply over days it will still fade after time. As the tan begins to fade just reapply your self tanner.
If you are fair skin and can't find a self-tanner thats not for medium skin tone another trick that you can use is to mix a small portion of the self tanning cream with your normal body cream. That way you don't again get that over-baked look. This is actually quite a good trick that can be used on its own.
If you haven't used a self tanner before and are unsure about the application and how it will look, using a combination of the tan mixed with your favorite body cream can help you to add color to your skin more slowly. Always take time and BLEND!!
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
