Getting that sun-kissed glow is no longer as difficult as going under the heat. You can now avoid ultraviolet rays that can damage skin. Self-tanning products that come in the form of lotions, powder, creams, and pills are easily applied to make skin tan. However, is the tan as good as the sunbathing tan? How long does self-tanner last?
Self-tanners contain the active ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a colorless sugar that responds to the dead skin cells or melanin. The response often occurs as the changing of the color of the dead skin cells. The DHA is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a skin colorant but still requires caution and proper application.
How long does self-tanner last?
The tan caused by quality self-tanning products usually wear off in a few days, about five to seven days. This is because the effect happens on the outermost layer of the epidermis which is the stratum corneum. It is shorter than the tan caused by the sun because the effect happens in the deepest skin layer which is the stratum basale.
Generally, dead skin cells continuously shed off every day. In 35 to 45 days, an entirely new layer of epidermis occurs. As the dead skin cells wear off, so is the tan caused by the self-tanners. This is the reason why many self-tanners suggest reapplication about every three days maintaining the tan. If you do get a really high-quality self-tanner, like my favorite from St. Tropez, it will likely last longer than a cheaper product, or wipe.
The self-tanner called bronzer is more of like makeup which is removed with water and soap. However, normal self-tanner cannot be washed off by traditional means, although it can be removed quicker. It last shorter compared to the traditional self-tanning products. Pill self-tanners may last longer than applied self-tanners. They contain canthaxanthin that is traditionally used as food color additives.
This pill is distributed throughout the body including the skin. The skin becomes orange-brown in color as the effect of the pill. However, many experts warn that this pill can cause side effects such as hepatitis and canthaxanthin retinopathy.
Does self-tanner contain UV protection?
Self-tanners do not contain UV protection. Or even if they have, the protection only last for few hours, more so 2 hours. So, it is still necessary to apply sunscreen when you wish to spend time under the sun. Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 for a longer stay under the sun; SPF 15 is good for two hours.
What do medical professionals say?
A lot of doctors are asked about self-tanning products. And here are their thoughts: many dermatologists consider self-tanners as a safer alternative to sunbathing.
This is because in sunbathing, the skin is exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays which may cause skin damage or even cancer. It is also safer compared to tanning booths which also contains harmful radiation.
Moreover, the dihydroxyacetone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. There is no any strong evidence that DHA caused negative effects to humans if applied properly and topically.
However, a recent study shows the link between the use of a high amount of DHA to the formation of free radicals. The free radicals in the body can damage cells. It is important to read labels before using a self-tanner. Make sure that it does not contain a high amount of DHA.
Another thing that doctors warn about self-tanners is the tendency to be inhaled or ingested. Self-tanning sprays should be used with caution; wear gloves, mask, and other protection to prevent the concentration to get into the eyes, lips, nose, and other mucous membranes. The effect of the spray to get inside the body is not yet known.
Conclusion
Many people consider self-tanning products as a convenient, cost-effective alternative to sunbathing. They come in different forms such as lotions, creams, bronzers, sprays, and pills. Know how would you like to achieve the tan that you want and how long you want to wear it.
Self-tanning usually lasts for few days so you might need reapplication if you want to keep it. If you want to wear a tan color in just one day, the bronzer is suited for you. It is easily removed with water and soap, so it is more like makeup when applied.
Even though we are thought to love our own skin color, many people still like to experiment on their appearances. It is not bad if you want that tan skin, though. So, be UV safe and enjoy your sun-kissed skin!
