Go from pale to tan in a few hours without damaging your skin with the sun's harmful rays. A golden tan is possible with the help of sunless tanning lotions. According to Best Self Tanning Lotion, some of the self-tanning products last longer than others, but they may be more difficult to apply. There are a few tips to follow in order to get an all-over tan look and avoid beginner mistakes when it comes to applying indoor tanning lotion.
Before Applying
Prepare you skin before using sunless tanner. Don't shave your legs right before you apply the tanning lotion because you may experience some sensitivity to the lotion from freshly shaved legs, according to Sunless.com. Exfoliate the dead skin cells in the shower to help get a more even tan. Wear something dark to prevent staining light-colored clothing. You may wear surgical gloves to apply the lotion, but make sure they fit snugly on the hands to prevent the lotion from collecting in folds, which may cause an uneven application.
Application
Start the application by applying lotion to the legs. Use a small amount of the lotion and gently rub it into the legs in a circular motion. Make sure you don't miss any spots, or your tan will appear blotchy. Some lotions have color in them, so you can see where you have applied them. Take extra precautions around the knees and feet for smooth, even application. Have a friend apply it to your back. If no one is there to help you, get a painting sponge from a paint store and apply it yourself. Apply the lotion to the backs of your hands last.
Apply the sunless tanning lotion to your face last. Make sure you aren't wearing any makeup before the application. Smooth the lotion to all of your face, around your ears and down your neck. After you finish the application, use a cotton ball or clean makeup sponge to remove excess lotion around your hairline or eyebrows.
When you apply the lotion with bare hands, you should wash them every five minutes to prevent the palms of your hands from being discolored. After you finish applying the lotion to your whole body and face, scrub your hands, let them dry, then apply a small amount of lotion to the backs of your hands. Rub the backs of your hands together until they are evenly covered.
Special Precautions
There are certain precautions you should take to have an even sunless tan. Scars and stretch marks may not absorb the lotion, so you might not get an even tan around them. If you want a tan in those areas, use a self tanner with bronzer. Your belly button has folds that may absorb too much tanner, causing it to darken too much. After application, dab the excess lotion with a cotton ball. Keep in mind that freckles and other dark spots will get even darker with sunless tanning lotion, so you may want to avoid applying it to those areas.
After Application
Most sunless tanning lotions take at least three hours to develop. Most of them don't have enough sunscreen, so if you plan to go out in the sun, apply a lotion with your regular SPF at least three hours after you apply the sunless tanner.
If you see some dark spots after tanning, you can lighten them with a cotton ball or swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide. Afterward, wash the area. Continue to moisturize daily. You may use a moisturizer designed to help maintain an sunless tan, but it isn't necessary. Most moisturizers will keep your skin smooth and glowing.
