Throughout the year, some people scramble to achieve a sun kissed glow about their skin. Achieving a suntan is one of the most popular summertime activities. Did you know there is an array of tanning options offered beyond the dangerous exposure of UV-rays? Using the sun to obtain a tan is harmful to your skin, as well as to the rest of your health. Premature wrinkles and skin cancer are the bulk of your worries when entering the sun, so how will you ever get the tan you desire?

Sunless Tanning Options
Since the 1960s, numerous sunless tanning approaches have emerged. Today, sunless tanning techniques include airbrushing, sunless tanning mists, tanning beds as well as sunless tanning sprays, lotions and even wipes.

Unlike tans achieved by way of the sun, the pigmentation of the skin is not affected with sunless tanning. The change in skin color is purely topical as dyes, stains, or paints are used. In the case of lotions, the active ingredient of dihydroxyacetone (also known as DHA) helps to achieve the appearance of hours and hours of sun therapy.

There are two main ways to approach a sunless tan. You may apply a sunless tanning product in the comforts of your own home or you may seek out the assistance of a professional. For home use, an assortment of lotions, sprays, gels and wipes are available. When deciding upon professional services, you might look into a spa, gym or tanning salon for access to tanning beds or airbrush spray tanning. Some sunless tanning sites offer a hand sprayed mist that covers the body from head to toe with an effective and safe product.

Top Sunless Tanning Products

When deciding on which home sunless tanning product you’d like to try out, you might want to take a look at Coppertone Endless Summer, which sells for about $12. Many say it supplies one of the lightest sunless tans for a do-it-yourself user. For a top-notch sunless tanning lotion and moisturizer, Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer is available for about $6. This product offers a mild self-sunless tanning, available in three different shades.

Looking for a home spray tanning solution? For around $30, Au Courant Instant Sunless Tanning Spray brings about a more natural color and provides easier application to hard-to-reach areas of your body, such as the back of your neck. Estee Lauder Go Tan Sunless Towelettes is one of the best options for sunless tanning wipes, providing great cover-up action, especially when it comes to unsightly tan lines. This product is available for use on both the body and the face.

Additional sunless tanning products to consider include Bain de Soleil Mega Tan, Bain de Soleil Streakguarde Self Tanning Cr¨¨me, Banana Boat Sunless Summer Color Tanning Foam, L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Lotion; and Neutrogena Sunless Tanning Spray Micro Mist Deep.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Sunless Tanning

With every product that hits the market, there are always a host of advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind. Consumers enjoy a sunless tan product or approach because it takes the fear and threat out of cancer-causing UV rays that tanning in the sun brings. The safety issue alone is enough to encourage tanners to make the switch. Sunless tans also take less time to develop; you can have a tan in less than an hour if you wish. Additional advantages regarding a sunless tan include treatment of specific body parts, elimination of tan lines and it is relatively inexpensive to achieve.

Depending on your desires, the length of time that a sunless tan may or may not be an advantage or disadvantage. Sunless tans are temporary, lasting about five to seven days with all traces practically gone in two weeks. While they are perfect for a glowing appearance for a special get-together or occasion, they are also a short-term commitment.

As for the disadvantages associated with a sunless tan, there are a few issues to consider. Some of the most common problems include orangey skin, yellowy skin, orange hands, a streaked effect, dirty-looking elbows or knees and skin that looks cracked. Below are a few ways to prevent self-sunless tanning mishaps from occurring:

1.To prevent orangey-looking skin, do not reapply any coats of product even if stated on the packaging. This is because sunless tanners can continue to darken several hours after application.
2.If your skin is pale, do not use dark sunless tanning products.
3.When using a new sunless tanning product, start off with one ounce of product to see how your skin takes to its first application.
4.To prevent yellowing of the skin, exfoliate before using a sunless tanner.
5.Avoid swimming, taking a bath, exercising or using any other skin products for at least three hours after applying a sunless tanner.
6.Wear gloves to prevent orange hands.
7.To avoid a streaked appearance, stay away from steam, and before application do not take a long, hot shower or bath before applying sunless tanning products.
8.Remove dead skin from elbows and knees to prevent a dirty-looking appearance after sunless tanner application.