Guide to Getting the Perfect Tan

Now is the time for all to worship the sun. Many of us flock to the beach looking to get that perfect golden hue. Sun Tanning is the darkening of the skin in a natural physiological response stimulated by exposure to ultraviolet tradition from the sun. There are some modern ways to achieve the perfect sun tan. Getting a tan can come from sunscreens, a tanning bed, or sunless products.

Sunscreen comes in a lotion or spray that is applied all over the body. Sunscreen usually works by containing an organic compound, oxybenzone, that absorbs ultraviolet light. Sunscreens that contain an absorption compound are called suntan lotions. Other sunscreens contain opaque materials that reflect the sun's light. These opaque materials, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, can be found independently or combined in the sunscreen's ingredients. The materials that reflect the sun's light are called sun blocks.

Sun tanning lotion is used to enhance the sun's rays. Acting as a tan accelerator these lotions are great for achieving the perfect tan! Emu oil is a natural moisturizer, and it's a very strong anti-wrinkle agent. Food's Pure Virgin Coconut Oil Cream is a great tanning lotion and can be used in recipes. Coconut Oil Cream is food grade and is excellent for hair and skin. Tanning bronzers provide you with a dark tan, and includes many other benefits like anti-aging and firming ingredients.

Tyrosine is known for progressive spectral tanning results. Tyrosine is a precursor to melanin and helps with protein production. Melanin being the primary determinant of human skin color is the pigment which makes tanning possible. Unipertan and Unitrienol are used to maximize the tanning process for the ultimate in tanning potential. Unipertan and Unitrienol are used to increase melanin production. These ingredients are used in tanning bronzers.

A tanning bed is a device that emits ultraviolet radiation. Tanning beds are located at a tanning salon and used in winter, if no access to a beach, or privacy. Typical usage for a tanning bed is one to two days a week all year round. To begin a three to five minute exposure, working toward the full twenty minute session, should be over a three to five week period. Many states require a minimum of 48 hours between tanning sessions, although this is almost impossible to enforce due to a lack of manpower in the regulatory agencies. Most states require a timing mechanism to be located outside of the room where the tanning bed is located. This prevents the customer from adding minutes or unintentionally overexposing themselves. Protecting the customer and removing a potential liability to the salon timing a tanning session is important. The tan produced by a tanning bed is not as deep as a tan produced in the sun. This is due to the fact that tanning beds have higher overall levels of UV than the sun on a typical day. The exposure time being shorter with higher UV levels in tanning beds can lead to a sunburn when combined with sun bathing.

Sunless tanning products are all the rave as most people are concerned with avoiding skin cancer. The tan produced from tanning lotions or sprays is not a dye, stain or paint, but a chemical reaction between the DHA and the amino acids in the dead layer on the skin surface. The tan created from tanning lotions is temporary. This sunless tan will fade gradually over three to ten days. Copper tone Endless Summer is the best do-it-yourself tanning product. It matches skin tone and gives a lighter, more golden tan than some other self tanners. If you like the idea of a spray you can apply at home Au Courant is a good choice. It imparts a natural color, and like Copper tone Endless Summer, it has alpha hydroxy acids to smooth skin.

Temporary bronzers come in powders, sprays, gels, lotions and moisturizers. Once applied, they create a tan that can easily be removed with soap and water. Like makeup, these products tint or stain your skin only until they are washed off. Many formulations are available, and some have limited sweat or light water resistance. Most will create some light but visible rub-off onto snug clothing. Therefore they should not be applied under clothing, or where fabric and skin edges meet. Dark clothing will prevent the rub-off from being noticeable. Lancome Soleil Flash Bronzer for Legs is a great product for beginners. Elizabeth Arden Daily Bronzer Self-Tanning Boost for the Face is easy to apply and is known for it's nonstreaking color.

Another sunless tanning product is the tanning pill. Similar to food coloring, canthaxanthin is deposited throughout the body, including in the layer of fat below the skin, which turns an orange-brown color. Canthaxanthin is an organic nutritional supplement. It's what gives the red color to many plants including fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Manufacturers use it as a nontoxic food coloring for many items such as fruit drinks, spaghetti sauce, and bar-b-que sauce.

Melatonin is another sunless tanning pill. A tan from the sun itself involves changes in your skin's cells and melatonin production. The sun emits visible and invisible UV rays that penetrate the skin and injure it. In response to this injury the skin produces pigment to help prevent additional damage from the suns rays. This pill is a melanocyte stimulating hormone which induces skin pigment increase and tanning.

Elusun contains betacarotene as an active ingredient. Elusun contains ingredients such as vitamins C and E that help combat free radical damage. It is rich in marine carotenoids from Australian algae, borage oil and carrot oil macerate, and helps to promote a healthy golden glow in the skin. Borage oil contain Omega 3 Fatty Acids for improved skin suppleness. Elusun works from the inside out to advance the skin's natural pigmentation process.

To maximize your sunless tan make sure to follow these steps:

1. Exfoliate your body from head to toe. Use an exfoliating scrub or a body brush and work in an upwards circular motion. Exfoliating will allow you to remove the dead dry skin. Dry skin absorbs sunless tanning lotions faster leading to dark patches. Make sure to shave before exfoliating, otherwise your skin may become irritated.

2. After a rinse and a pat dry apply a light layer of moisturizer to the skin. The moisturizer will help your fake tan go on in an even fashion, avoiding those nasty streaks that give it away. Rub it in thoroughly and pay special attention to areas like your knees, wrists, elbows and ankles. This also helps to avoid dark spots.

3. Fresh, clean, and moisturizer skin means you're ready to apply your tanning product. As a general rule a gel, spray or foam product will dry faster which is perfect if you need to be somewhere in a hurry. A cream will take a little longer to dry. When applying your tanning product it's a good idea to go to a well lit area, preferably somewhere with natural light so you can really see how even your tan is going on. Wait until the moisturizer is completely absorbed, as moisture on the skin may cause the product to be uneven. When your skin is nice and dry put on a pair of disposable gloves and start applying your product. Apply the tan the same way you exfoliated, working from the feet upwards in small circular motions using a gentle hand. Check you're getting every area of skin and that there is no unevenness. Remember to be extra light and blend very evenly over the problem areas such as knees, wrists, ankles and inner arms.

4. Apply the tanning product to the face. Line the hairline and eyebrows with a little bit of Vaseline first. Then, add a very thin layer moisturizer over the face to avoid a darker application then intended.

5. Now wait for the product to dry. This should take around thirty minutes depending on the product used. Trying to avoid sitting and itching may lead to frustration.

6. Maintaining the tan consist of avoiding AHA and BHA based creams and lotions. Tan Sunless Towelettes are good for touch-ups or covering tan lines. You rub one of these tanning wipes over your skin and it darkens within an hour. Towelettes are available for both body and face.

The summer months can really make you feel sexier and healthier. Tanning by the pool or on the beach can be relaxing. Sunless tans give confidence without the worry of skin damage. Whichever method you prefer the perfect tan is the goal this summer!

SOURCES: Skinbiology.com, En.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_tanning, Free-beauty-tips.com