Tanning products, both sunless and sun, work on the epidermis, or the outside layer of your skin, and not the dermis or inner layer. Today's formulas are light-years ahead of those bizarre orange concoctions of decades past. A great sunless tan can be indistinguishable from the real thing; the key is a good product and a skilful application. When you apply a tanner or tanning lotion, creme, spray, or toilette by gently rubbing the product into your outer skin layer, those that are most effective (the ones that list dihydroxyacetone or DHA as an active ingredient), begin to work within around 40 minutes to an hour. DHA reacts with amino acids in the epidermis, producing a natural pigment called melanoidin that bonds with proteins in skin cells. The results are a change of color that can last up to about seven days.

Here are some tips to get the maximum benefit from your Sunless Tanning. Choose your shade when you want something that will compliment your natural skin tone. If you have blinding white skin, start with a product labelled light. You may be able to work your way up to a medium over time. Once you've narrowed down a shade and brand, you need to decide if you want to spray it on or apply a cream. The creams are longer lasting. Sprays seem to be easier to apply evenly and make it easier to hit hard to reach places like the middle of your back. If you are new to sunless tanning products, don't use sprays. Wearing the same thing every time will give you the best results. Choose what you want to wear for tanning lines, whether it's a swimsuit or undergarments. Exfoliate is a critical step. If you skip it, you're almost guaranteed uneven results. If you don't exfoliate, you'll end up with some really dark areas and some areas where the color is peeling off. The overall effect is splotchy one. To avoid it, you want your skin to be as clean and smooth as possible before you start. Do one whole leg at a time. Remember that knees and feet tend to be dry areas that can grab too much color. Do not shave your legs for several hours before applying sunless tanners. If you are not going to use disposable gloves, you should to wash your hands and scrub your nails about every minute while applying the tanning product so that they don't stain orange. Five to ten minutes after applying a sunless tanner, rub areas such as elbows and knees with a little lotion to lighten the effect. Work your way up. Do your torso, neck and face next. If you are applying a sunless tanner to your face and neck that is not a "for the face" type, apply a lightweight lotion to your face and neck first, letting it soak in for ten minutes. This prevents the sunless tanner from gathering in areas with fine lines.

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