Discover Sunless Tanning

Sunless tanning is becoming increasingly popular as sun worshippers face both a time crunch and a fear of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Self tanning products give you color without any risk of UV exposure, and can also be applied at any time convenient to you. This means that you can "get a tan" on your lunch break or before bed without fear of developing skin cancer. This form of indoor tanning is also extremely flexible, because there are a variety of sunless tanning products available. You can also choose to either apply your sunless tan yourself or to visit a tanning salon to have it sprayed on in a spray tanning booth.

Both options offer a great looking tan that lasts up to a week and allows you to keep up with your busy schedule.

Self tanning products use the active ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to color the upper layer of your skin, the epidermis. When the DHA reaches the epidermal skin cells, it attaches itself to amino acids to produce a brown pigment known as melanoidin, resulting in a nice tan. But because the epidermal cells are dead, we constantly shed them – so your sunless tan will last for a few days.

There are a wide variety of sunless tanning products out there, each with its own color shade and method of application, so you will be able to find the color you want, and will also be able to pick the application method that best suits you, whether you want to "spray on" your tan or rub it in.

Applying self tanning products yourself (or with a friend) is a great way to save time. Whether the product you choose is rubbed or sprayed on, you can "do it yourself" right before bed and shower it off in the morning. Depending on the product you choose you may see results very quickly, so within an hour you could be enjoying life as a bronzed god or goddess, even in the dead of winter!

While sunless tanning products generally last about a week, you can control spills, tan lines, and blotches from poor applications with hydrogen peroxide or a baking soda solution. Many tanning salons offer a quick and easy alternative to self-application. With a spray booth application (see the picture above) by a trained staff member you will get an even tan all over without having to contort yourself to get to hard to reach places on your body.

You will have the same choices of color available with self-application, but cleanup is generally easier – DHA does stain some types of clothing or even your carpet, so why not "get messy" in a tanning salon rather than your bathroom! Tanning salons are also subject to strict regulations in most jurisdictions, so you can be sure of getting your tan in a clean and hygienic environment. Whichever product and application method you choose, sunless tanning is a great option for today's busy tanner. So get started on your sunless tanning today!