Sunless Tanning Cream

You can get a brilliant tan with no direct exposure to sunlight. Everyone knows that the sun has harmful ultra violet (UV) rays. However, a sunless tanner can give you the same results safely. We are not referring to tanning beds. They cannot be classed as safe because exposure to UV rays is required.

Sunless tanning can also be called self-tanning, UV-free tanning and fake tanning. A self-tanning product can temporarily alter the color of the skin. This method was launched in the 1960s after people became aware that skin cancer could be directly linked to the sun's UV rays.

This knowledge prompted the manufacture of many safe self-tanning products. These are available in lotions, sprays, gels, and mousses. The active ingredient in all of them is DHA (dihydroxyacetone). The 'tan' is achieved through a chemical reaction between amino acids on the skin's surface and DHA. It is not a stain, dye or paint as many people incorrectly think.

Food chemists call this the 'Maillard reaction'. It applies to the browning of foods in the manufacturing process. This is exactly how beer gets is rich golden brownish color. A UV-free tanner will not alter your skin's pigmentation. Neither is it a dye or paint as many people wrongly believe. After 3 days, the color will begin to fade.

You can use a UV-free tanner in the comfort of your own home. Whenever you want to look tanned and healthy, simply do a quick treatment. You will look as though you have just got back from a month in the Caribbean.

For best results, the lotion, spray or gel should be applied after a shower or bath. Your skin must be thoroughly dry. Do not swim until the solution has been absorbed completely. This may take six hours. Do not apply the product to the thick skin on the hands and feet. These areas will absorb larger amounts of DHA.

Another great way to get a fake tan is to go to a professional tanning technician. The tan is applied with a laser spray gun. The advantage of this is that you will get an evenly spread tan from head to toe. Because this equipment is portable, you will often find kiosks at beaches offering this service.

There have been rare reports of an allergic reaction to a sunless tanner. This can often be confused with skin irritations that are not linked in any way to DHA. The real culprit is more likely to be an exfoliating treatment that has made the skin sensitive. As such, avoid exfoliating or shaving before using a UV-free tanning product.