What is Sunless Tanning?

Sunless tanning is the process of attaining a perfectly brown complexion that is now considered highly fashionable, trendy and sexy. Usually, tanning is done by exposing the skin to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Normally, exposure to sunlight is causing the skin to produce melanin, which gives the skin the attractive brown color. Problem arose in winter and cold countries as sunlight supply become limited at certain months of the year. But because people want to keep good and appealing tans, demand for tanning jumped in such countries.

Artificial or indoor tanning was introduced and started becoming popular in the 1960s. Through the use of tanning beds and booths, the skin color is tanned. During the same time, another alternative was introduced along with indoor tanning.

That was sunless tanning. Many people interchange and mistakenly take the two as one. In reality, sunless tanning and indoor tanning are different, though both have one thing in common: they do not utilize ultraviolet radiation from the sun to make the skin color brown.

How sunless tanning works

Sunless tanning is attained when the amino acids present in dead layers of the human skin and a substance called dihydroxyacetone or DHA combine to form a natural coloration reaction. That combination leads to Maillard reaction, which is also evident when food surface becomes brownish during storage and manufacturing. However, it should be pointed out that sunless tanning is not specifically a process to stain, paint or dye the skin. A safe chemical reaction makes the skin turn brown.

Sunless tanning does not in any way lead to skin pigmentation. The skin is attaining its golden brown tan even without any exposure to both natural and artificial ultraviolet rays. Thus, you can now tan your skin even as you sleep at night or even if you are confined in a room without exposure to direct daylight or sunlight.

Be reminded that sunless tanning is proven to be safe and effective. It is attained through applying certain lotions, cream and other skin products directly to the skin. Tanning or brown coloration lasts about three to 10 days on the average.

Preparation for sunless tanning

The process of sunless tanning is simple. However, there are also recommended tips and guidelines in making the process really safer and more effective. Just like any other forms of skin tanning, proper and appropriate skin tanning preparations should be adopted and practiced.

• Basically, you need to clean your skin thoroughly before applying any sunless tanning product. Doing so would help ensure the tanning process would be effective as the sunless tanning product is absorbed effectively by the skin. The action would also ensure that tanning would be evenly distributed all throughout the body.

• Exfoliation is a good and recommended preparation. Though, it should not be done after the sunless tanning product is already applied as it would renew the skin faster and would remove the tanning substances in the skin.

• You should shave the hair on legs and under arms a few hours prior to the application of sunless tanning products. This helps ensure that the skin would properly and effectively absorb the non-harmful nutrients and chemicals that would bring about tanning.

Tips during and after the sunless tanning procedure

After undergoing appropriate preparation, you are now set to do the actual sunless tanning procedure. Several simple guidelines should be observed when undergoing a sunless tanning activity.

• When applying sunless tanning products, opt to use sponge paintbrush instead of sprays. Sprays should be avoided especially if you are new to sunless tanning. That is because as a non-expert in using sprays, it would be almost impossible to spray sunless tanning substances and chemicals evenly to the skin.

• Use dark-colored snug outfits after the sunless tanning. That would help make sure the reaction of the skin and the sunless tan product would be going on and not disrupted. You would be advised not to take a shower or do strenuous physical activities that would lead to excessive sweating at least for a few hours after the application of the sunless tanner.

• Lastly, sunless tanning, though it is very convenient, should not be done too often. That means, you should refrain from applying sunless tanners at least not until your sunless tan has already faded out. As always, what is taken in excess could be utmost damaging to the skin.