Basics of Tanning Lotions

There are several things you need to know about tanning lotions before you make a purchase. First, there are many kinds of tanning lotions out in the market today, so you must be familiar with what each kind can offer you. You can't just go buying and experimenting with them, because they can be quite expensive.

Tanning lotions that contain substances which jump start the tanning process are called bronzers. They usually contain DHA, or dihydroxyacetone, combined with other ingredients to facilitate tanning. Hot bronzers are tanning lotions combined with ingredients that give the user a "tingle."

This tingle factor, or the feeling that one is actually tanning under the sun, is actually caused by an increased blood flow at the skin level. It's quite possible that these tanning lotions which produce tingling sensations contain mild irritants that produce a flushing under the skin, causing it to redden.

Cool bronzers, on the other hand, contain cooling agents such as menthol. These types of tanning lotions give a different sensation but likewise provide the user with a tan. Bronzers, in general, are fast-acting and can give you an instant noticeable change in coloration. They can be used indoors, under the sun, or for sunless tanning.

Choose bronzer tanning lotions in shades that would complement your natural skin tone.

Tanning lotions can also be of the 'accelerator' type. They help speed up the tanning process and thus shorten the time spent under UV rays. The skin can get a rich dark color with accelerators but remains moisturized.

Also select tanning lotions which help your tan last longer and those which contain moisturizers. Without them, your skin would be flaky and dry and would not tan beautifully because you'll have a lot of unsightly dead skin cells. Sometimes, tanning lotions can even give you a richer and more beautiful tan than natural sunning because of the moisturizers used in the product.

Ingredients in tanning lotions

They generally contain l-tyrosine and melanin, plus other organic ingredients such as tea oil, green tea extract, copper, and various other oils. Some manufacturers of tanning lotions also include fragrances, and although these have nothing to do with the tanning ability of lotions, many people prefer to use scented tanning lotions.

These can give aromatherapeutic effects especially when applied before lying in tanning beds. As these are enclosed spaces, the smell of the scented tanning lotions can be quite relaxing.

Benefits of tanning lotions

The most obvious advantage of using tanning lotions is that we'll have a reduced need to expose ourselves to the sun, thus lessening the risk of contracting skin cancer. If it's your first time to use tanning lotions, go for lighter shades initially. For best results, reapply 3-4 times, with each new application after a waiting period of several hours.

Disadvantages of tanning lotions

There have been a few instances of allergies developing after the use of tanning lotions, but they're few and far between. To be safe, consult your skin care specialist and ask about their safety in the light of your medical history.