Saturday, March 23, 2013

How Self Tanning Products Can Produce A Bronzed Skin Color

By Haywood Hunter


At-home self tanning products are used by people who like to be seen with a gorgeously dark complexion but don't want to end up with skin cancer. Even without sunbathing, these solutions can give you that sun-kissed glow many want to have. Read on if you want to find out how they can mimic the effect of staying under the sun for hours.
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Self tanning products are available in lotions, gels, creams, sprays and roll-ons. What people go for basically depends on which ones they find easy to apply all over. Smooth application is necessary if you want to have a tan that looks natural.

Regardless which of these various forms of self tanning products you prefer, all of them rely on a particular ingredient: DHA. This chemical was approved by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) back in the 70s for use by manufacturers of self tanning products. Short for dihydroxyacetone, it's something that exists in nature because it comes from plant sources like sugar cane. Due to this, you know that the application of self tanning products isn't harmful to your skin as sunbathing.

When DHA in self tanning products comes into contact with skin, the chemical gives the layer of dead cells around a deep brown color. This mimics the reaction of the skin when exposed to the sun, in particular the ultraviolet (UV) radiation it emits. But instead of causing more melanin pigment to form, the skin's topmost layer is simply given some sort of stain.

About 3 to 5 hours after the application of self tanning products containing DHA, the initial complexion change becomes noticeable. Worry not if you find the color too light. The ingredient is going to work further overnight. Manufacturers tell their customers to allow 24 to 72 hours to pass because that's the time it takes for the darkest tan possible to surface. Try to wait for it to show up. If you think you want to sport a shade darker than that, a re-application may be done.

Unlike bronzers found in self tanning products intended to provide a temporary change in skin color, DHA lasts for days and won't fade in the shower. The resulting bronzed complexion, however, is bound to disappear after some time, particularly in 7-10 days from the initial application. Again, it's because DHA has an effect only on the skin's topmost layer comprised of dead cells. When they get sloughed off naturally for a new layer to surface, the color vanishes with them.

There are self tanning products for the body as well as those exclusive for facial use. Because skin on the face is more sensitive, self tanning products made for it are mildly formulated. At times, they come with anti-aging herbal ingredients too.

It's important for self tanning products to be applied properly and smoothly to produce a tan that looks so natural. If not, blotches and streaks of colors may reveal to everybody that your lovely complexion is fake. Go through the manufacturer's directions carefully. You may also log on the web and look for tips and tricks shared by people with plenty of experience.




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