If you are using an indoor tanning bed or booth, you may want to consider using a lotion to accentuate or in some cases accelerate your tan. Lotions come in a variety of ingredients and scents that are used to nourish the skin or change the color until the skin develops its own tan. Keep in mind that most lotions that are used indoors do not contain sunscreen, which can increase your risk for skin damage.
Tinglers
Many indoor tanning lotions are innovative and give you the feel that you have actually spent a great deal of time out in the sun. One additive to some tanning lotion brands is a tingler. The Suntan website explains that a tingle additive helps to increase the blood flow to the surface of the skin. It causes the skin to flush and become red in appearance, giving the skin a tingling sensation. This is believed to increase the effect the UV, or ultraviolet, rays have on your skin. The tingle sensation in some people feels like a cross between a slight burn and a numbing sensation on the surface of the skin. A small amount should be applied at first until you feel comfortable with the sensation. The tingle also increases as your body becomes exposed to UV light.
Sunless Tanning
Not all indoor tans occur with the help of UV light sources. You can achieve a fake tan by using a lotion that will change the color of your skin. This is called sunless tanning lotion. It offers a safe alternative to exposing your skin to UV light. Sunless tanning lotions are easy to apply but achieving a color close to a natural tan can be difficult---especially if you have very fair to moderate skin tone. The Sunless website explains that dihydroxyacetone or DHA, the main ingredient in sunless tanning lotions, works by reacting with the keratin protein found in the top layers of skin. Once applied, it can take a few hours before you will start to see a dark bronze or light orange tone to the areas with lotion exposure. All sunless tanning is relatively safe and does not cause skin damage or increase your risk of skin conditions and cancer.
Bronzers
If you are looking for a way to darken your skin instantly without having to wait for your tan to take effect, a bronzing lotion is a good choice. The Skinsite explains that a bronzer is the type of tanning lotion that transfers color pigments directly to the skin by using water-soluble dyes. Most bronzers can be used as a moisturizer that is applied immediately before or after a tanning session. Bronzers can be washed or wiped off after application. Some can even stain clothing. Other bronzers contain small amounts of DHA to help you bridge the gap between being white and getting your base tan. Any type of bronzer that contains DHA should be applied evenly, avoiding rough patches of skin to prevent staining. Some bronzers contain the ingredient menthol that cools the skin after contact.
