Spring is sprung, the birds are singing and the sun is shining!  I don’t know about you, but I am ready to break out the spring/summer wardrobe and reveal a bit more skin (and NOT the pale, pasty kind please).  I wear sunscreen daily and don’t spend prolonged periods of time in the sun to avoid sun damage/melasma, so the best tan for me is a Self Tan!

self-tanning

I assure you, if you take a bit of extra time to get your self tan started, the only thing you need to do going forward is reapply every couple of days to maintain the color.  You will look like a bronze goddess, without any UV damage!

These are the 5 steps I use to achieve a fool-proof self-tan application:

  • Exfoliate skin with a body scrub such as DERMAdoctor KP Duty Dermatologist Body Scrub with Chemical + Physical Medi-Exfoliation or Ole Henriksen Rub n’ Buff Salt Scrub.  It is also important to pay special attention to the knees and elbows, which can bank more dead skin than other areas (if your elbows or knees are darker than the surrounding skin, consider use of B.Kamins Chemist Elbow, Knee and Foot Treatment Kit).  After exfoliating, massage in a good quality moisturizer with antioxidant protection like  Priori Advanced AHA Hand and Body Revitalizing Lotion into the knees and elbows to head-off extra dry skin soaking up too much sunless tanner.
  • Shake up the self tanner product. My absolute favorite is Cellex-C Bio-tan Sunless Tanning Gel (worth the extra money), however California North Titanium Self Tanner and Rodial Brazilian Tan Light are also fantastic.  Massage the product into your skin in even doses, whle working in an organized pattern (a circular motion) to avoid missing a spot. If you are using a spray-on product, you’ll still need to even it out by hand for the best result. Remember, wherever you stop, the color will stop. Have a friend do the tough to reach spots like your back, or try this trick: use Body Buddy Non-Absorbent Lotion Applicator, put some tanner on it and work it over your back.
  • Once you’re done, thoroughly wash your hands (make sure to get under your nails) to prevent staining your palms. Wear disposable exam gloves when applying sunless tanner if you like (look for ones that are made of nitrile if you’re allergic to latex).
  • Follow the package directions for how long you need to wait before dressing or touching anything (self tanners can turn other things brown, like your couch or bed linens). Don’t bathe or work uolp a sweat for several hours after the application to prevent streaking.
  • To keep the color up, reapply every few days.

You will love the results!

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