Who doesn't dream of having that perfect sun-kissed bronze tan when they hit the beach? It's such a desirable look, yet, tanning comes with risks.
Hopefully this isn’t news to you, but harmful sun rays can damage your skin, cause premature aging, and even increase your risk of developing several types of skin cancer.
Fortunately, modern breakthroughs in science have led to alternative options to help you achieve that golden glow we all love without the risks of sun tanning.
The following are safe tanning options that can give you a radiant look you want!
- Spray Tans: At Strange Bikinis, we love a good spray tan. It can result in the most realistic tan you can get without spending hours in the sun. You get the benefits without the risks.
A great spray tan will give you the confidence you need to get in your bikini and have a blast feeling great!
We love Mist Me Mel for multiple reasons. This company uses a violet-based Venetian blend solution that is great for all skin types. It can be lighter or darker depending on your preferences and skin tone.
Their mobile features mean that you can have the spray tan come to you. The company also does pop-ups at their stores with mobile tanning options.
If you are going to opt for a spray tan, you should moisturize daily and exfoliate at least once a week. The day before your appointment, it's crucial to shave and exfoliate your skin for best results.
Finally, you will need to arrive at the appointment without makeup, deodorant, or lotion and wear loose-fitting dark clothing.
Spray tans take about 10-12 hours to develop, which means you won't want to shower until after that window of time. You will also want to avoid working out or sweating for 24 hours after getting a spray tan.
After 12 hours, you can rinse with water, or if needed, a paraben-free and sulfate-free body wash. Then moisturization will be crucial since hydrated skin will keep a spray tan longer.
Spray tans are a great safe tanning option. And while it's recommended to wait a day before wearing a light-colored bathing suit, you can rest assured that the bronzer will wash out if it gets on your suit.
- Self-Tanners: Another great safe tanning option is self-tanners. These products got a bad rap when they were introduced to the market because of the orange tone they often left on the skin.
But the technology has come a long way since then, and today's self-tanners often deliver a tan indistinguishable from a suntan.
Self-tanning products can come in several forms, including lotions, gels, wipes, home sprays. There is even a self-tanning pill. The commonality across these different products is that they change the skin's pigment without any exposure to the sun.
It is a safe alternative done from the comfort of one's home.
Really the caution here is that when applying these products at home, it's a lot harder to achieve full coverage like you can with a spray tan. It will be noticeable if you miss a spot or apply the self-tanner unevenly.
It's also hard to apply self-tanners to hard-to-reach spots on your body, like your back.
When using self-tanners, it's also essential to exfoliate your skin first. However, many self-tanners include moisturizers and vitamins that are great for your skin so that you can skip that step.
Your skin will get moisturized while it's getting tanned. If you are vigilant about applying self-tanners well, they can be a great – and safe – tanning option.
- Safe Natural Tans: While there is a strong link between the sun's UV rays and skin damage, not all rays are harmful.
In small doses, sunlight provides an important source of Vitamin D. It can give you a little bit of natural color. But if you are going to get a bit of a natural tan, you should still do it as safely as possible.
You should also avoid this strategy if you have very fair skin, burn easily, have many freckles or moles, or have a family history of skin cancer (including the risk of melanoma). These individuals are already at elevated risk of developing skin cancer, and it may be too risky to get any exposure.
But for many others, a short tanning session may pose little risk. However, if you are going to be spending time in the sun, it is advised that you use sunscreen and simply select one with a lower level of SPF protection.
If you are in the water or sweating, you will want to reapply your sunscreen regularly to prevent burning. And you do not want to fall asleep while tanning. Even with sunscreen on, you can burn if you are in the sun too long.
If you overdo it and get a bit sunburnt, regularly apply aloe and cocoa butter to soothe achy skin. Aloe will also repair skin damage and prevent the skin from peeling.
Tanning naturally isn't nearly as safe as a spray tan or self-tanner. But it is much less risky when you are very cautious about limiting sun exposure and taking exceptional care to keep your skin moisturized and healthy. Under these conditions, it can also be considered a safe tanning option.
With summer just around the corner, many of you strangers are already thinking about ways to achieve that perfect sun-kissed tan. We sure are. And while suntanning is safe when exposure is limited, it's not the safest method.
Spray tans and self-tanning products are safe tanning products that can deliver a tan that looks natural. Most people can't tell the difference between a suntan and a spray tan!
Spray tans and self-tanners are both relatively easy. You can quickly go to a short spray tanning appointment or have a mobile spray tanner come to you. Alternatively, sunless tanning products can be applied from the comfort of your own home.
With the recent advances in tanning technology, you can be sure that both of these methods will deliver a natural-looking tan. This means you can hit the beach or pool feeling confident and ready for summer!