Sunless tanning works through chemical reactions when chemicals are applied to the skin. These chemical reactions produce the familiar tinted skin known as a tan. The link between overexposure to the sun and cancer was discovered in the 1960's and since then one of the most popular alternatives has been the use of fake tan cream.
The primary ingredient in fake tan cream is a chemical called dihydroxyacetone, or DHA. DHA does not stain or dye the skin. The reaction that occurs when it mixes with amino acids from dead skin cells is how the tan develops. Fake tan creams provide a safe alternative that does not effect skin pigmentation, which eliminates the need for UV ray exposure to tan the skin. The effects are more short term than a natural tan, with most last about a week before a new application is needed.
People who have issues with skin sensitivity could be at risk of a rash reaction if they use fake tan cream. Testing on a very small area of the body is always recommended. After a 24 hour waiting period it is safe to do a full application of fake tan cream as long as no reaction occurred.
A natural looking tan can be easily created within a person's home with fake tan cream. For best results, cream should only be applied to clean and dry skin. The cream should be given a period of one to six hours to absorb before the user showers or swims as well.
Areas like the hands and feet have thicker layers of skin so heavy coating should be avoided if possible. Too much cream could turn these areas a significantly darker shade than the rest of the body. Another alternative is to apply the cream to these areas and then wash it away a few minutes later. This technique will give a light tan to those areas.
When choosing a fake tan cream to use, quality is one of the most important factors. Cheap creams can produce cheap looking results. A higher end fake tan cream will provide much better results. Most name brand creams do not require a thick application to get visible results whereas some cheaper alternatives do.
Scent choices also vary among brands which makes it easy to find something suitable for both men and women. Men usually opt for lighter, less noticeable scents while women are more intrigued by brighter, more prominent ones. There are also several unscented versions available on the market as well. Unscented varieties would be suitable for those who have a sensitivity to scents.
For individuals using fake tan cream for the first time, it might take some time to find a product that is best suited for their individual skin type. Different brands provide different results. Even within a brand there can be numerous options to choose from. A light skinned person should not attempt to use the darkest shade of cream they can find if they want their tan to look natural.
The primary ingredient in fake tan cream is a chemical called dihydroxyacetone, or DHA. DHA does not stain or dye the skin. The reaction that occurs when it mixes with amino acids from dead skin cells is how the tan develops. Fake tan creams provide a safe alternative that does not effect skin pigmentation, which eliminates the need for UV ray exposure to tan the skin. The effects are more short term than a natural tan, with most last about a week before a new application is needed.
People who have issues with skin sensitivity could be at risk of a rash reaction if they use fake tan cream. Testing on a very small area of the body is always recommended. After a 24 hour waiting period it is safe to do a full application of fake tan cream as long as no reaction occurred.
A natural looking tan can be easily created within a person's home with fake tan cream. For best results, cream should only be applied to clean and dry skin. The cream should be given a period of one to six hours to absorb before the user showers or swims as well.
Areas like the hands and feet have thicker layers of skin so heavy coating should be avoided if possible. Too much cream could turn these areas a significantly darker shade than the rest of the body. Another alternative is to apply the cream to these areas and then wash it away a few minutes later. This technique will give a light tan to those areas.
When choosing a fake tan cream to use, quality is one of the most important factors. Cheap creams can produce cheap looking results. A higher end fake tan cream will provide much better results. Most name brand creams do not require a thick application to get visible results whereas some cheaper alternatives do.
Scent choices also vary among brands which makes it easy to find something suitable for both men and women. Men usually opt for lighter, less noticeable scents while women are more intrigued by brighter, more prominent ones. There are also several unscented versions available on the market as well. Unscented varieties would be suitable for those who have a sensitivity to scents.
For individuals using fake tan cream for the first time, it might take some time to find a product that is best suited for their individual skin type. Different brands provide different results. Even within a brand there can be numerous options to choose from. A light skinned person should not attempt to use the darkest shade of cream they can find if they want their tan to look natural.
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