Tanning in a tanning bed or applying a self tanning lotion can be a great way to enhance your skin colour, but if you want to optimize your tanning efforts there may be a few tips you haven’t been following. There’s more you can do than just going to a tanning salon a few times a week to get the perfect tan.

Preparing Your Skin

Whether you tan outdoors, in a tanning bed, or from a spray tan, exfoliating your skin before you tan will clear away dead skin cells and ensure you’re getting the most even looking tan possible. Spray tanning solutions and self-tanning lotions will stick better to clean skin that won’t be sloughing off in a day or two.

Getting an Even Tan

Moist skin tans better and more evenly, so be sure to use a tanning lotion. An indoor lotion should be used when tanning in a bed as they are custom designed for indoor bulbs. When tanning outside, an outdoor lotion with at least a small amount of SPF should be used to protect from the harmful rays that comes with natural sun tanning. Washing with a good moisturizing soap after you tan will prevent any bacteria build up and will keep your skin soft and smooth.

Whether in a lay down bed or tanning in the sun, moving around in the right positions will ensure a more even tan. Lying in a bed can cause pressure points between your skin and the glass which can give you a less intense tan in that area, so shifting your body every once in awhile should prevent any noticeable white spots. When tanning outside be sure to turn midway through your tan, and position yourself properly in the sun to keep your exposure as even as possible.

Maintaining Your Tan

Keep your skin moisturized after you tan or have a sunless tanning product applied. Whether you use salon quality after care lotions or just your favourite brand of body cream, keeping your skin moist slows the exfoliation process which is what makes you lose your tan. Tanning after care products can have quite a bit of extra added components that will preserve your tan better, but just using a lotion that has aloe and vitamin E will definitely go a long way in making your skin look smooth and healthy while sustaining your tan.

Supplementing Your Diet

The food you eat can play a part in the colour of your skin. Beta carotene is a red-orange pigment found in foods such as carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Eating foods high in bet-carotene can add this pigment to your skin, and working in unison with your tan, you can achieve a darker looking glow. Tanning pills can also be used to give your skin more colour without even stepping foot in a tanning bed. These pills contain caretenoid pigments which tint the layer of fatty tissue below your skin.

It can be hard work maintaining a beautiful bronzed glow so adding a few steps may be worth it to ensure your tan will last as long as possible and will be completely even. Especially if you’re paying for your tan, you’ll want it to look its best.