Sunless tanning: A safe alternative to sunbathing

If you're thinking about going the sunless tanning
route for your next tan (which is, BTW, THE best way
to go to save yourself from complications later!), here
are a few tips and things to look for before starting.

The following article's complements of Cybernoon.com


Cybernoon.com:

Sunless tanning: A safe alternative to sunbathing

BY A STAFF REPORTER Tuesday, May 02, 2006
12:36:49 IST

Most sunless tanning products don't contain a sunscreen
and, therefore, don't protect your skin from sun damage


You might think you have to choose: Expose your skin to
the sun's damaging rays to get a much-loved tan, or
avoid the sun and miss out on that sun-kissed glow. But
you have another option - sunless tanning products.

Sunless tanning products, also called self-tanners or
tanning extenders, can give your skin a tanned look
without exposing it to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Though generally recognized as safe, sunless tanning
products do carry some risks, depending on how they're
used and applied.

How do sunless tanning products work?
The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is
dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA is the only color additive
approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for
use in sunless tanning products.

When applied to your skin, DHA reacts with dead cells in
the outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) to temporarily
darken the skin's appearance. The coloring doesn't wash off,
but it gradually fades as the dead skin cells slough off. In
most cases, the color is completely gone after five to seven
days.

Many forms of sunless tanning products are available for
home-use, including lotions, creams, gels and sprays. They
typically go on clear, and you might see results after about
an hour. Full color appears within eight to 24 hours. Some
products contain a tint, which darkens your skin right away.
Besides home products, spray-on tanning is available at
salons, spas and tanning businesses. These professional
applications can provide an even, full-body tan.

Is sunless tanning safe?
Sunless tanning products are generally regarded as safe
alternatives to sunbathing. The FDA considers DHA safe
when applied to your skin.Spray-on tanning or mist-on
tanning from a salon or spa is typically applied to all parts
of your body - including your face - to ensure an even
color. This creates a potential for the product to get into
and around your eyes, near your nostrils or onto your lips.
The risks, if any, of inhaling or ingesting DHA are unknown,
so special care is needed to be sure that your spray-on tan
is safely applied.

Be sure to shut your eyes and hold your breath while the
tanner is applied. You may also want to request or bring
along protective devices such as goggles or nose plugs.

You may have seen ads for sunless tanning pills, but these
products are unsafe and aren’t approved by the FDA.
Sunless tanning pills contain large amounts of the color
additive canthaxanthin. When taken in large amounts,
canthaxanthin settles in parts of your body, including your
skin. It can turn your skin orange to brown and can cause
canthaxanthin retinopathy, the formation of crystals in the
retina of the eye. Tanning pills can also cause nausea,
cramps and diarrhea.

Sunless tanning tips: For an even-looking tan
Sunless tanning products no longer cause that orange-brown,
streaky appearance. Today the products offer an even,
natural-looking tan if they’re applied correctly and carefully.

For best results, follow these tips:
Choose a light- or medium-toned product, which tends to
look more natural.Before using the product, wash and
exfoliate your skin with a washcloth or sponge to remove
excess dead skin cells. Women should shave their legs for
an even application.Apply the sunless tanning product
evenly and lightly. Use fewer products on dry skin or
thickened skin, such as over your ankles, knees and elbows.
These areas tend to absorb more products.

After you apply the product to your face and body, wash
your hands with soap and water to avoid coloring your
palms. Be sure to remove any product from under your
fingernails. Then use a cotton ball to apply the sunless
tanner to the top of each hand.To prevent staining your
clothes, wait until the sunless tanner dries completely,
about 15 to 20 minutes.

Most sunless tanning products don’t contain a sunscreen
and, therefore, don’t protect your skin from sun damage.
If you spend time outdoors, be sure to apply a sunscreen
with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 before
going outside.






sunless tanning