When trying out a new sunless tanning product, you may come across some that just don’t give you the right colour, or leave streaks or blotches.  You probably don’t want to be walking around with an orange face while you wait for the effect to wear off, but don’t worry, there are a few things you can try to get your skin back to normal and embark on your next sunless tan trial.

Acidic liquids such as white vinegar and lemon juice can help reduce the intensity of any streaks or blotches your sunless tanning lotion may have left you with.  Using either of these on a cotton ball, or even using a slice of lemon, can remove the streak and leave you with an even and wonderful looking sunless tan.

Mixing some baking soda up with a little water will also help to remove streaks and even out your faux tan.  Washing an area that has gone too dark with some baking soda then exfoliating gently should remove the problem spot with little muss or fuss and no acidic odour.

If your face has gone a bright shade of carrot orange, wash with a generous application of facial toner.  You can also use a cosmetic bronzer powder or moisturizer afterwards to smooth the shade of your skin while keeping some of that added colour.

Thorough exfoliation over your whole body can also cut the intensity of an undesirable shade to give you a more acceptable and natural glow.  Shaving your legs can do the trick as well if you’ve used the self tanner mainly on that area.  You can even try coating yourself with baby oil to loosen up the top layer of dead skin then grab a loofah and jump in the shower.  With self-tanners, you’ve stained your outer layer of skin, so that dead skin on top can be taken off with a good dose of exfoliation.

You may have done a real number on yourself and given your skin a heavy application of self-tanning lotion that looks terrible.  If the other home remedies just aren’t going to cut it for you, there are professional self-tanning remover products you can buy that will be effective for about 4 hours after application of the self-tan product.

Self-tanning mishaps may be prevented in the future by shopping around for quality products from trusted cosmetic name brands.  Of course, this isn’t always the case because a certain product may react differently on your skin than that of someone else.  Doing a trial run on a test patch of skin should help you determine the colour you’ll be getting from any given self-tanning product and give you a better experience with your future tanning lotion applications.

The quest to get that perfect bronze hue can be harder and harder these days with peoples busy schedules and cautions about tanning in the sun. Sometimes you have no time in your day to get outside during the peak tanning hours, or you live in a climate that doesn’t always allow for outdoor tanning. Well there are options out there now that completely remove the need for sun and with a little bit of information you’ll be able to choose the method that suits your needs best.

Bronzers

One of the simplest and least expensive ways to give yourself some glow comes in the form of bronzing powder and moisturizer cosmetics. While it will last only as long as your makeup is on, this is a great way to either enhance your current tan or add a bit of extra colour for a short time. This option is most effective for use on just your face and neck.

Wet Tanning Products

Tanning lotions, creams, mousses, or gels can be a great way to get an easy sunless tan, but choosing the right brand that works best with your skin type is important. The price range with this product can be very low in the form of a generic drugstore brand or can sky rocket up to a designer product that comes in a tiny bottle. You can usually find a good mid-range product that won’t give you a cheap looking artificial tan for a decent price with a little bit of shopping around.

Tanning Pills

A tanning option that can get a little pricier than some of the tanning creams and lotions out there comes in the form of tanning pills. These pills contain caretenoid pigments that affect the layers of fat below your skin by giving them a darker tint. Large amounts of this pigment can turn your skin an orange shade so be careful to work up to your desired shade slowly by determining how much is the right amount for your body. Consistent use of this option is easily the most convenient way to get a lasting tan and there’s no need to apply any lotions or sit through any extended tanning procedures.

Spray Tanning

Getting your tan sprayed on from a booth or an airbrush technician will last for only about a week before it needs to be re-applied, but you can get a beautiful and even tan in a matter of minutes with virtually no mess. Unlike the wet tanning products, there is no staining of your clothes because this method dries much more quickly and doesn’t use dyes.

Tanning Beds or Booths

Closest to the tan you would get from the sun, tanning beds or stand-up booths use bulbs which emit UV radiation. Because this method affects your deepest layer of skin, you’ll get the longest lasting effect from a tanning bed and you have the best chance at an even tan with no streaking or blotching. It can be more expensive to maintain this tan as you have to either buy your own equipment or go to a salon to use theirs, but this will give you a glow that lasts for weeks even once you stop tanning.

Regardless of the method you choose to get your tan, exfoliating before any process and making sure you have clean skin will give you the best results. A good moisturizing regime can extend the life of your tan and will keep your skin looking young and healthy. Whether you want to avoid UV rays or get a quick spray tan that will last long enough for a special occasion or event, there is a tanning method out there that’s sure to suit anyone’s schedule and budget.

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.

Any salon you go into, the technician will definitely tell you that moist skin tans best and lotions accelerates the tanning process. Lotion will make your tan look better and will help you tan evenly while protecting you from unwanted rays. Without a doubt, indoor tanning lotion is something you should be using when you tan, but the type of lotion to use is something you’ll need to determine.

Understanding the Ingredients

Tanning lotions may have all kinds of additional ingredients or added perfumes and moisturizers, but there are a few more important things to be watching for when picking the right lotion. The main idea is to keep your skin moist, but some lotions will get your skin to continue tanning even once you’ve left the tanning booth.

Tyrosine is an amino acid that stimulates melanin production and can be found in many brands of tanning lotions. It helps you tan faster and is considered a tan accelerator. Vitamin E will help fight premature aging while Aloe Vera or cocoa butter will help in keeping your skin well moisturized. Some lotions may contain copper which reduce the appearance of scars and other blemishes on your skin.

What Not to Use

While top of the line salon quality lotions may optimize your tan to its full potential, you don’t have to use the most expensive product out there to get a beautiful tan. However, there are some tanning products you should avoid. Tanning oil, for instance, is not meant for indoor tanning. Not only is it messy, but it blocks the UV rays from reaching you and can be hard to clean off a lay down style bed. Tanning beds and bulbs are expensive and sensitive equipment so while using an everyday body moisturizer can help your tan, sticking to an indoor specific lotion will protect the bed and give you the best results. Using an indoor lotion for bed and booth tanning is always your best bet.

After Care Lotion

Most salons will sell after care tanning lotions that you use after your session to give your tan a boost or even a continuous tanning effect. If you chose not to use an after tanning lotion, using regular body lotion will still go a long way in helping you maintain your tan by moisturizing and slowing the exfoliation process.

Knowing your skin tone can help you when choosing the right lotion. Most salon technicians can assist you in determining the correct range of products to be choosing from. Price may be a factor in your decision, but there is usually a variety of lotion types for all skin tones in each price range. If you’re unsure of the best product for you, some salons will also offer either free samples, or a sample for a small fee. Once you decide on your lotion of choice, you’ll be on your way to a golden shine.