The Safest Ways to Tan
As of now, it seems that the safest ways of achieving a faux tan are using bronzers, self-tanning lotions, and airbrush tanning. In both professional and do-it-yourself formulas, they all work the same way: staining the outermost surface of the skin with DHA (dihydroxyacetone), a safe (though smelly) dyeing ingredient. But remember, despite darkening of the skin, sunless tanning does not protect your skin from the damaging rays of the sun, so to be protected you need to use sunscreen.
DHA is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic application, but it is approved only for external use. DHA is not approved for the areas of the eyes or lips, and should not be inhaled or ingested.
Pros and Cons of Sunless Tanning
Safe with instant result, many sunless products are tinted for a more even application and giving you an instant sunkissed glow while developping to a full tan typically within 6 hours.
However, proper product selection can be tricky especially for fair-skinned to correctly match their skin tone. Uneven coverage and complicated application are common complaints. Let’s not forget that it take quite some work to maintain a fake tan. Here my opinion on the different type of sunless tanning:
Self-tanning lotions can be purchased at drugstores and cosmetic counters. Lotions and gel tanning formulas are easy to apply but take the longest to dry. Foams and sprays dry faster but are more difficult to evenly apply. Tanning wipes, which are towelettes doused in tanning solution, are best for spot treatments (like sprucing up tan lines) but not full-body applications due to their tendency to cause streaking.
I only use the sunless tanning products during the Summer to maintain and add intensity to an existing tan from the beach or an airbrush tan; and during the Winter when I just need small areas of my body (like my legs, face and chest) not to look to pasty. I feel that I cannot achieve a full body real looking tan just with a lotion.
Bronzers include tinted moisturizers and brush-on powders. Used to temporarily stain the skin, achieving a tanned appearance. Like makeup, bronzers wash off with soap and water. Like makeup, it is more tricky to achieve an even, all-over tan with bronzers, but they can add some color to pale skin.
I love using bronzers on my legs, arms and chest to enhance my fake tan. It also helps even out any streaks from the self tanning solution. In the winter, I love to use bronzers for fair-skinned tones just to add a warmer glow to my skin without having an obvious fake tan in December.
During an airbrush tan, a technician sprays a coat of DHA onto your skin using a spray compressor. A natural-looking tan will appear within a few hours and usually last for a few days. The benefit of airbrushing is that the technician has total control of how much and where to spray the solution resulting in an even tan, while reducing the risk of inhalation and eye and lip exposure and more customized tan.
It is my favorite sunless tanning option especially when I want to start an even base for my fake tan. It helps me being tan on difficult areas such as my back.
The sunless tanning service most commonly offered in tanning salons is spray tanning in booths. Spray tanning booths work by delivering an even coating of the chemical dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to your skin using spraying machines located inside enclosed booths. Before using a spray tanning booth, make sure to protect your eyes and lips from inhaling or ingesting the spray.
I really don’t like this method, it’s really hard not to inhale the DHA since the whole booth is spraying the solution AND you have to move to get an even coverage AND you have to rub the solution after being sprayed.
Personally I never tried tanning pills. So I cannot give any personnal reviews or opinion, however based on my latest reseaches: they are not approved by the FDA. They contain the color additive called canthaxanthin. When ingested, canthaxanthin can cause the skin to turn orange or brown. Its use has been linked to a number of serious health problems, including eye damage and severe itching.