Directions for Sunless Tan application.
Shower using an exfoliating product and a scrunge sponge. Note the dark tracer
in Sunless Tan for even application. The tracer will wash out of pajamas or
sheets. Wear rubber gloves that are provided. This will keep your hands from
staining. Only exfoliate on every fifth application. Allow Sunless Tan to dry
usually fifteen to thirty minutes.
Basics
Use slightly more Sunless Tan self tanner than you would regular lotion or cream.
Use a circular motion to rub it in, to avoid streaks. Make sure you cover
all the areas of your body (don't forget your sides, or your armpits, or
you will look funny). Focus on one area at a time. Use less tanner on the
joints (knees, elbows, ankles) and on the tops of your feet. Avoid getting
Sunless Tan sunless tanner on the bottom of your feet, the palms of your hands,
and in your hairline.
Flair
This is how I do it. It works for me, but other people might apply their tanner
slightly differently.
I start with my calf. I apply the Sunless Tan here first, and rub it into the
tops of my feet and onto my knees. I never put Sunless Tan directly onto those
two areas. I work my way up one leg and then the other. Then it's onto my torso,
and up to my neck. When I get to my face I make sure I don't have too much
self tanner on my gloved hand. I put just enough on, and make sure to blend
it in well. I make sure that I rub Sunless Tan self tanner from my neck and
up into my face, blending well to avoid any blotches or lines.
The last area I do are my arms. I put some of the tanning
lotion onto my upper arms and blend it into my shoulder,
pits, sides, and back. I work my way down to my elbows
(never put the tanning product directly onto your elbows,
always blend from other places). Then I work on my forearms.
At this time I take off the gloves, and work the tanning
cream down from my arm, over my wrists and onto the back
of my hands.
Don'ts
Don't put Sunless Tan sunless tanning lotion directly onto joints.
Don't let Sunless Tan pool up in between your fingers or toes. Where application
gloves provided.
Don't forget to exfoliate.
Don't put on clothes for at least fifteen to thirty minutes.
Don't let water come in contact with an area where you have put Sunless Tan sunless
tanner.
Special Hints
Sunless Tan has a tint or tracer so you can see where you are putting the tanner.
This way you see the streaks before they show up. You can make sure you are
applying the tanner evenly.
Wait one day and apply again. Follow with weekly applications of Sunless Tan
Tanning Cream to maintain your Golden Brown Tan.
If you have a significant other who will help you apply the tanner, they will
be a great asset for application to areas hard to reach.
No animal testing ever!
Safety
Sun exposure and ultraviolet rays
The light of the sun contains invisible ultraviolet rays:
UVA, UVB, UVC. The first two types are the most dangerous.
UVA rays cause skin aging and wrinkling and are associated
with skin cancer because they burn the deeper layers of
the skin. This is how tanning occurs. UVB rays are what
we call the burning rays of the sun and are the primary
cause for sunburns and cancer. However, both types of rays
are very dangerous and protection should be taken against
exposure to them.
How tanning is produced - Different types of skin
Tanning is in fact proof that the skin has been damaged.
Tanning of the skin occurs when UV rays come in contact
with a certain type of cells in the skin called melanocytes
which produce a pigment called melanin. Under the effect
of the sun these cells produce even more melanin so as
to protect the skin from damage. It acts as a natural shield
in the form of a brown tint people call suntan. People
can have different types of skin with different concentrations
of melanin, thus, different degrees of natural protection
against the sun. Tanning turns into a sunburn when the
amount of UV rays is greater than what can be absorbed
by the melanin in the skin. At that point the melanin can
no longer ensure the safety of the skin. For example Scots/Welsh/Irish
and red-headed have skin type I which is the most sensitive
to sunburns and in effect never tans. To the opposite pole,
African-Americans have skin type VI, a deeply pigmented
skin that is sun insensitive.
Despite the type of skin, everyone should take sun safety
seriously because now more than ever the harmful UV rays
travel through the ozone layer a lot easier than they did
a century ago and are consequently more dangerous.
Long term effects of sun exposure
Although sunburns are easily cured within a few days with
some skin peeling, there are dangerous long lasting effects
of sunlight exposure. Youths have more sensitive skin that
grownups. Continuos exposure starting before the age of
18 can eventually cause permanent damage to the skin such
as wrinkles, brown age spots, blotchiness, freckles and
leathery, sagging skin that appears older than it is. Sunlight
does not only affect the skin but also the eyes (it can
cause cataract) and weaken the immune system.
Sun rays in time and space
The UV rays concentration in the sunlight varies at different
altitudes and in different seasons. For example the UV
rays are the strongest during the summer and around the
Equator but also at high altitudes because the rays penetrate
the protective shield of the Earth easier. It is a misguided
conception that sunlight is harmful only during the summer
or sunny days. The safety of the skin is jeopardised even
during the winter when almost 80% of the UV rays are reflected
by the snow and during overcast days when a considerable
amount of rays penetrate through the clouds.
Sun Safety - Preventing is better than curing
The worst sunburns occur during incidental sun exposure
and not at the beach. However, because people cannot live
inside all their lives it is best to use all means of protection
to prevent potential skin damage. First of all, avoid the
strongest rays of the sun between hours of 10:00am and
4:00pm. It doesn't really matter of it's a cloudy or sunny
day, the UV rays still come through and reflect upon surfaces
and then onto the skin.
The best protection is to cover up the most sensitive
areas as much as possible. If possible wear long sleeved
tops, trousers and brim hats.
Sun screens
Sunscreens protect the skin from damaging and prevent
skin cancer. They should be used consistently if going
out for more than 20 minutes. It should be applied generously
on all of the exposed areas 15-30 minutes before going
out. The sunscreen needs some time to develop a protective
shield. If staying outdoors for longer, reapply after 2-3
hours. Sunscreens come into various shapes or forms, with
different SPF (Sun Protection Factor). The SPF indicates
the degree of protection from UV rays and in effect tells
you how long you can stay in the sun without burning if
you apply the sunscreen. A SPF of 15 for example gives
you protection of 15 times the time it takes for your skin
to burn. Sunscreens also come in waterproof or sweatproof
formulas but even their effect wears off after about 80
minutes. Sunscreen should be reapplied regularly to ensure
proper skin protection and safety.
Is using sunscreen enough to be safe in the sun?
Unfortunately sunscreens are not enough to
ensure a proper degree of sun safety. It's best to avoid
peak times between 10:00am and 4:00pm, seek shade whenever
possible and wear protective clothing.
What about tanning?
Tanning is perceived as a sign of beauty of the skin.
Unfortunately medically speaking, it is in fact a sign
of skin damage. If you want to protect your skin from the
sun you have to block out UV rays and tanning. There is
no way of developing a tan in the sun without exposing
yourself to UV rays. Alternate means of getting a tan include
sun beds although they work using UV rays and in the long
run prove to be just as harmful.
Tanning safety - Sunless fake tan
Fortunately there is a way to develop a tan without causing
damage to your skin. Recent years have seen development
of fake tan products coming in the shape of lotions or
sprays that can be applied to the skin and which produce
a deep tan lasting several days. These products are safe,
easily affordable and convenient. Protect your skin now
before it's too late. If you want a beautiful tan, you
don't have to stay in the sun to get it.
