Sunless Tanning
Sunless tanning offers a safe alternative to the potentially dangerous effects of sunbathing. People can now obtain a healthy “sun-kissed” glow without exposing themselves to the harmful rays of the sun. While sunless tanning remains the safest way of achieving that bronzed effect, there are still some things you'll want to know before you get started.
How Sunless Tanning Works
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the most effective sunless tanning products are lotions that contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient. DHA is a colorless sugar that interacts with your dead skin cells in order to produce a color change. Since millions of dead skin cells are sloughed off of the surface of the skin each day, these color changes – or “new tans” – will naturally fade within about five to seven days from the initial application. This is why most product manufacturers recommend reapplying your sunless tanner once every few days for maintenance.
It's important to remember that while sunless tanning is considered a safe alternative to sunbathing, most of these products will not protect you from the sun's harmful rays, unless, of course, they feature an added sunscreen. However, even if your sunless tanning product does contain an SPF, sunscreens lose their potency within a few hours of application, so you'll want to make sure you're protected when you head out to show off your new look.
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By Lindsay Rech
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