As you already know there is no such thing as a safe tan. When your skin changes color as a result of sun exposure that is actually a sign that your skin has been damaged. Our skin protects itself from the sun by darkening its color, and of course, sun exposure leads to skin cancer, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. But not everyone wants to go around with a pale complexion. Luckily there are numerous options for creating a healthy tan.
Use make-up to fake a tan: You can use powder bronzer, lotions that dye the very top layer of your skin a deeper color (essentially the dead skin cells on top of your skin), or body make-up that gives you a tan. Choose a product that works best with your lifestyle.
Get a spray tan: You can either get a spray tan from a trained technician or use a spray tan booth. I’ve gotten spray tans from technicians in the past and liked the results (which last about 5 days or so). The color of your tan is customized.
I think the most confusing part of faking a tan is choosing the product that you want to use. If in doubt I say go for the spray tan done by a technician.
Further Reading and Tips, Tips, Tips
- Redbook – 10 Ways to get a Sun Free Tan
- Allure Magazine Beauty 101: Bronzer video
- Our Favorite Self Tanners – allure.com
- Self Tanning from Les Nouvelles Esthétiques & Spa
- New Beauty magazine Summer/Fall 2010 has an article entitled Sun-Free Tan which has review of 14 different self-tanning products. Unfortunately the article is yet to be found online. Look for the magazine in your local Barnes and Noble.
- 5 Bronzer Blunders You Should Avoid from Paula Begoun
- Pixiwoo – The Best Tanning Products for the Summer YouTube
- Tips for Spray-Tan Lovers - allure.com
And if you need another reminder of why you should never, ever use a tanning bed read this brief article from Redbook – 5 Scary Facts About Tanning Beds.
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