Probably thanks in no small part to celebrities, the appeal of spray tanning seems to be on the rise. As with most things, there can be pros and cons to getting this type of tan.
In this article I will give you both the pros and cons to spray tanning as well as a general overview of how it's done and some things you can do to prepare your skin so the results are more effective and attractive.
Tanning this way means that you are literally being sprayed all over your body, with a compound that is comprised of an element that darkens your skin, DHA. DHA has been declared safe by the FDA for this type of use, which is one of the biggest "pros" to this type of tan.
Even so, you do need to be very careful around the eyes.
Since this is basically just a temporary stain you are adding to your skin, it does not have the same long lasting, harmful effects that UV rays have. Whether you get those rays in a tanning bed or at the beach, UV rays can lead to pre mature aging of the skin and possibly even skin cancer.
Even a little exposure to UV rays can cause problems. There really is no "safe" amount of rays though it is generally accepted that moderate amounts over a lifetime, particularly if you don't ever get sun burnt, is probably not too big of a cause for alarm for most people.
Of course, there are those people who have a pre disposition to cancers of all types, not just skin cancer, and for those individuals even more caution is needed.
Anyway, back to spray tanning. You can do it at home or at local tanning salon. If you do it at home you will probably want to enlist the help of a friend since it can be tough to target all parts of your body on your own.
To increase the effectiveness here are some tips:
1. First of all pick the proper shade for your skin tone. If you are very fair skinned and you try to go ultra dark you may find it looks weird. Instead, try to take your skin up a few steps in color only.
2. Shaving before you get your tan may be a good idea since it is recommended that you don't shave for at least 24 hours after the tan is applied.
If you get rashy after you shave, you may want to shave at least 24 hours prior to your tanning session to make sure that the rash settles down first.
2. Use an exfoliating wash prior to your tan. Getting rid of as much dried skin as possible and moisturizing afterward can make your skin smoother and less susceptible to looking "blotchy".
Pay particular attention to those parts of your body that are rough such as elbows and feet. Making these as smooth as possible will also help ensure that they look good after the the tan is applied.
3. Be prepared to repeat the process every week or so. The tan does wash off and will fade over time. That is one of the biggest "cons"; tanning this way can end up being time consuming and costly to keep your tan looking good all season long.
Spray tanning is not without it's issues, but for anyone who likes that "sun kissed" look it may be a better way to get that look then spending countless hours damaging your skin in the sun.
