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Sunless TanningThe holy grail of the suntan industry is sunless tanning - using some kind of drug, lotion, or chemical to convince skin to tan without having to suffer the damaging effects of UV radiation normally associated with burnt or tanned skin. Truth is almost 90% of wrinkling and skin damage comes from UV exposure and not old age. Everyone knows that too much sun exposure is bad for their skin, but it is sometimes difficult to balance that with the perceived healthy glow of a nice tan. Many people feel more attractive and confident when they lose their normal pale look. Most of today's sunless tanning products contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which the American Academy of Dermatology says is the safest most effective agent. How does sunless tanning work? The DHA works on dead skin cells (the sugar in DHA interacts with the amino acids in the skin cells), changing their color to an orangish-brown - the color fades within 3-7 days as the skin cells are sloughed off and new skin cells come up from below. So it is really more like dying your skin rather than getting a real tan - the goal is brown and not orange, and some products are more effective at that than others.
Popular Sunless TannersDo sunless tanners work? They are all based around the same DHA chemical, so yes they do work, although rarely do they look as natural or good as a real suntan. There are plenty of lotions and creams to choose from. Jan Tana Deep Moisturizer is one sunless tanning lotion a lot of people swear by. Its non greasy and smells good, and costs about $15. Neutrogena is another popular brand, their Build-a-Tan gradual sunless tanning lotion gets darker the more often you apply it, and it dries in about 5 minutes without streaking. There are many other brands to choose from: Alba Botanica, Algotherm Instant Sunless Tanning (spray and mousse), Bronze Face Gel, Aveda, Australian Gold, Bain de Soleil, Banana Boat, Biotherm, Clarins, Body Shop, Coppertone, Fake Bake, Fantasy Tan, just to name a few. One popular sunless tanning product is Xen-Tan Premium. This moisture rich, almond scented lotion is designed for both face and body use. Its easy to apply since it has an instant light color that lets you make sure you don't miss any areas or spots, and then the medium level tanning agent kicks in in a few hours for a deeper color that last for days. One of the biggest problems most people have with sunless tanning is getting an even application of the lotion. You suddenly discover just how much skin covers your entire body, and it is easy to overapply in one area and underapply in another, leaving you patchy coloration. The main benefit of sunless tanning is that you avoid exposure to damaging UV light. However, the tan you end up with normally has a somewhat artificial, orange tone to it, so that is the trade off -- a little more health for a little less beauty.Sunless Tanning TipsOne of the best tips for using a sunless tanner is to exfoliate first (remove dead skin cells). You can use scrubs or lotions with exfoliating mitts or whatever method you prefer - just make sure you rinse everything off your skin thoroughly before applying the tanner. Make sure you wear rubber gloves when applying the tanner, or you will end up with very stained looking hands and nails. Watch your ankles and wrists - some people skimp on this area and it does not blend well with legs and arms. Don't let the lotion pool up in your belly button. When dry, use a lot of moisturized the next day to help keep your skin moist and fresh, and retain your color longer.Mystic TanMystic Tan is the commercial application of a spray on sunless tanning agent. What is a Mystic Tan? How does Mystic Tan work? Mystic Tan is a spray on tan. Go to to special salon where an 8x10 private booth awaits you. You need to remove all clothing (may get stained, optional), jewelry, etc. You cover your hair with a plastic shower cap, cover your feet, put on eye protection, put protective barrier lotion on your hands, pop in a nose filter for breathing, and get ready to get your color. You stand in a booth and your entire body is quickly and evenly sprayed, leaving you with quick color and an even coat that you could not match on your own. It happens in two steps. First your front side is sprayed by the lightly misting spray nozzles in several passes. Then you turn around and your back is sprayed. You get out, towel off the barrier lotion, then towel off residual moisture and spray off the rest of your body. You can then get dressed and dont have to worry about staining your clothes. You should not bathe or shower for 4 hours after application. Mystic Tan is totally UV free. How much does a Mystic Tan cost? About $25 per session on average, although some clubs offer cheaper follow-up packages as low as $10 or $15 for additional applications.
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