Nothing says sun-kissed more than a beautiful tan. However, now that many people know too much basking in the sun can lead to harmful effects over time, your best and safe alternative is the use of self tanners.
Can you accomplish the same results as you would when sunbathing? Definitely, if applied correctly. There are a few self tanner before and after tips you should not skip on when you do decide to get a fake tan.
Self Tanner Tips Before Application: Tips for a Flawless Sun-Kissed Glow
Self tanners work by reacting with the dead cells found on the skin’s surface. Their active ingredient dihydroxyacetone or DHA, temporarily darkens the skin which results in a simulated tan. If you want your tan to be even in color throughout your body, there are some important tips for a flawless sun-kissed glow you need to take before application.
- Wax the day before. You don’t want to do it on the day because you’ll need at least 24 hours after a wax before tanning.
- Exfoliate first. You want to get rid of dry patches on your skin. You can do this by exfoliating before you plan on applying a self tanner. A simple loofah can effectively buff your skin off dry skin. You want to make sure that you buff areas like knees, elbows, and ankles extremely well as these tend to be drier as compared to other areas. Dry patches on the skin tend to become darker, leaving you with dark patches here and there that you want to avoid. However, do avoid exfoliators that leave an oily residue on your skin.
- Shave off unwanted hair. Your tan will come out better if you are hair free. You can do this in the shower and it’s also a great way to exfoliate.
- Dry off. You might think applying a self tanner immediately after stepping out of the shower will help for a smoother application, but it’s best if you dry off completely. Towel-dry your body and allow 10 to 15 minutes before putting on the tanner on your skin.
- Moisturize lightly. It sounds awfully weird to moisturize considering that you’ve exfoliated and dried yourself off thoroughly. You want to put a little moisture back into your skin to make sure that there are no dry patches at all. Don’t use heavy lotions, rather a light lotion applied minimally will do very well. Pay close attention to knees, elbows, and ankles.
- Wear gloves. This will ensure that your palms don’t get too much self-tanning product on them. Take them off when you’re done with your body and apply on your hands.
Self Tanner Tips After Application
The secret to making your tan last long is proper aftercare. These self tanner tips after application also help ensure that your tan develops well.
- Schedule it overnight. Your tan needs at least 7 to 8 hours to set. You don’t want to do this first thing in the morning if you have somewhere to go. Sweating will not be too good for your tan.
- Fix mistakes. A buffer works great when you want to fix mistakes such as a splotchy tan or harsh lines.
- Right footwear. You want to be barefoot, if possible, after a tan. Don’t wear socks or closed shoes as this will interfere in the development of your tan.
- Loose clothing only. Don’t wear tight clothing, including jeans, bras, shoes, etc.
- Keep dry. Avoid swimming, rigorous workouts, or even sweating for at least 5 hours.
- Stay hydrated. Drink up your water as hydrated skin gives off the best looking tan.
- Boost your tan. If you want to make your tan last longer, there are gradual tanners that you can apply as a top-up.
- Light exfoliation. Do this three days after applying self tanner to ensure that your tan fades evenly as well.
Make sure that you follow these tips for a sun-kissed glow. Don’t be too intimidated by the steps. Once you get the hang of things, you’ll get used to everything you need to do. As a result, you’ll be sporting off a tan regularly without having to expose yourself to the harsh and harmful rays of the sun. Only then will you realize just how well proper before- and aftercare pays off.
