Skin Care Beauty

The true advantage tanning lotion has over other methods of obtaining a tan is it’s aversion to the risks that are involved with the other methods. The reason it is so much safer is because the product does not go past the outer most layer of the skin.

While some people may experience contact dermatitis, which is just an irritation as result of an allergic reaction, there is much less harm to changing the coloration of your dead skin cells than trying to force blood flow to the skin to induce melanin production as with other self-tanning methods.

Natural tanning through sun bathing became a less ideal way to go since it can take a long time, creates uneven tans and tan lines. But those are just inconveniences and the health risks are the real reasons to avoid prolonged sun bathing.

If you spend too much time in the sun, there is risk of a heat stroke if you are not properly hydrated. Too much exposure to UV rays is also the leading cause of skin cancer. It is important that regular tanners, both natural sun and tanning beds, be aware of possible telling signs of early skin problems. Tanning booths can be more dangerous because of the high concentration of UV rays.

Equally dangerous to sun bathing or using a tanning bed are tanning products that require consumption of chemicals. Tanning pills are manufactured pills that contain chemicals used as color additives in foods. However, the FDA only approves these chemicals in small quantities such as for the purpose of food coloring and not in the high concentrations that are used in tanning pills. Known health problems besides damage to the digestive tract and messing up the skin include hepatitis and canthaxanthin retinopathy, which is when yellow deposits form in the eye.

Bronzers are another form of self-tanning products that are much safer than tanning pills. They come in powders, gels, or moisturizers and work much the same as make up. It temporarily stains the skin with color and like make up; it will come off after a shower. Bronzers will work for one day applications. Some have limited sweat or water resistance, and can rub-off to lightly color tight clothing.

A company in Australia is developing a new method of tanning by using a synthetic melanacyte-stimulating hormone to imitate the effects of UV rays without the health risks. This innovation would allow users to get a natural tan without UV rays.

Tanning lotion is based on dihydroxyacetone (DHA) that reacts with the dead skin cells. DHA based Sunless tanning has been recommended by the Skin Cancer Organization, American Academy of Dermatology, Canadian Dermatology Association, The American Cancer Society and the American Medical Association.