How to Self Tan like a Pro

Nothing says 'health' and 'summertime' like the sun kissed glow of a tan. However the sun exposure (or tanning bed visits) required to achieve a tan is not conducive to health, and that's the driving force behind the explosion of self tan options which require no exposure to harmful UV rays. Using self tanners can be a little intimidating and leave your skin spotty according to Us Weekly unless it is applied correctly. Follow these self tan tips given by Sophie Evans. skin finishing expert with St. Tropez .

Prepare Skin

Shave and exfoliate skin before applying a self tan product to avoid spots and patches of darker skin. Any method of hair removal, such as waxing or tweezing, which rips hair out of the follicles should be done 12-24 hours in advance. If self tanner is applied sooner, the hair follicles may still be open and the self tan product will pool inside the hair follicles and cause tiny dark spots all over legs.

Dead skin cells will absorb more of the self tan product and can lead to streaks, so it's essential to exfoliate the skin to achieve a smooth, flawless shade of tan. Use a shower mitt or oil-free (hydrating oils impede the skins absorption of the self tanner) body scrub to exfoliate skin in the shower prior to self tanner application.

Skip All Grooming Products

Ms. Evans says to keep skin dry and product free, with the exception of applying moisturizer to hands, feet, elbows, knees before applying a self tanner. These skin areas, along with any other areas that may have dry skin patches, absorb more of the self tanning product and can turn out 10 shades darker than the rest of the skin.

Avoid using hairspray, deodorant or perfume before self tanning. Hairspray overspray will land on the skin and hinder product absorption. So will perfume and when most self tan product come into contact with deodorant it turns skin a greenish-gray color.

Build the Tan Slowly

Regardless of which formula of self tanning product you choose, build your tan slowly until you reach the desire shade of brown. According to Ms. Evans spray self tanners are easy to apply and dry quickly, mousse self tan products also dry quickly and give more application control and lotion formula self tanners provide the longest lasting tans and hydrate the skin.

Sources:

UsWeekly

St. Tropez