Using Your Self Tanning Lotion

By Haywood Hunter


If you love a dark and deep tan, you may have to spend a lot of time in the sun. However, too much sun can be bad for the skin and for your health. It is better to invest in self tanning lotion that is designed to be used indoors. This way, you can avoid skin problems associated with UV light, and here are some helpful tips for using these products.

Before you start, make sure to choose a high quality product that has excellent reviews. Also, make sure it is made for your kind of skin. Some products work well with all skin types, but make sure to read the labels. For example, you may end up with a tan that is too dark or not dark enough.

Before application, now is the time to shave legs and other body parts. This will insure that your tan is even. That is an important thing to remember if you are a man that plans to wax his chest. It may be best to wait a few hours after shaving and use a quality moisturizing product on the skin, first.

Exfoliate your skin beforehand, and one of the best ways to exfoliate is in the shower. You can scrub the skin well with a washcloth or special equipment designed to exfoliate. This removes much of the dead skin that sits on the top layer of your skin. If dead skin cells are not removed before applying your suntan cream, they may come off afterwards and this can affect your tan.

After showering, give your skin time to completely dry. This makes the lotion easier to absorb. It is not a good idea to apply these products to the palms of your hands. The skin there is different from other skin and it may turn a funny color if you use sunless suntan products there. To prevent this from happening, use some kind of latex gloves or a special tanning mitt. If you have no gloves or mitt, you should wash your hands every few minutes.

Begin with one section of the body like the arms. Make sure that the cream is applied evenly. Next, you can move on to another section until you finish. Your knees and elbows may get darker than the rest of your body, so it may be best to wipe these areas with a damp cloth right after application. Also, make sure that your product is made for faces, before you apply.

Many users of sunless tanning products have good luck when they apply it like paint. In other words, try several thin applications. Wait about a day before you apply the next application. This gives you a chance to see how it is working. For first time users, try putting some cream on a small area of the body, for testing purposes.

After application, avoid any kind of contact for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Do not get dressed for an hour or so. This is not a good day to go swimming, as most products should be on the skin for a day before you get wet. Be sure to buy the best possible products (like ones that Sun Laboratories makes) for you skin.




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