Harmless self-tanning. The history of self-tanning. Four new facts about your health

AT modern world tanned skin- a sign of beauty, health and grooming. Many people like dark shade because it is beautiful and natural. But if you want to get a uniform tan for several days, and trips to the solarium are impossible, then for such cases there is a cosmetic analogue - self-tanning.


What is

To understand how this tool works, you need to understand its composition. There are several types of bronzers, which differ in the method of action and the duration of the effect. However, they are similar in one thing: they act according to the type of skin coloring.


Each cream contains a coloring pigment that colors the skin several tones darker than it. natural color. The operating principle is quick receipt tanning, no use sun rays.


The funds are distinguished by the absence of such side effects, how premature aging skin, the appearance of wrinkles and burns - all this applies only to sunbathing. In addition, people who are used to getting a tan naturally, there is a risk of getting oncology - skin cancer. Therefore, the use of artificial pigment can protect against serious illnesses and does not destroy the protective barrier of the epidermis.


The principle of operation of artificial concealers is quite simple and is often used by girls whose skin is very white, does not tan, but burns in the sun (blonds and redheads). The remedy acts, as a rule, a few hours after application - a bronze tint on the skin lasts for several days.


There are brands that show instant effect, but more on that below.


Pros and cons

Like any cosmetic product, tanning spray can be used all year round, and they contain special substances that give the body a natural bronze tint. Like any tool, such concealers have their pros and cons to use.


The pluses include:

  • fast action - thanks to self-tanning, you can prepare for the summer in just a few days. Pigments, upon contact with the skin, begin to instantly darken on the skin. Bronzers can be used by both girls and men;
  • safety of use- thanks to coloring pigments, the skin does not produce melanin, does not try to protect itself from negative impact sunlight, and gradually becomes colored. It is known that during sunbathing, the epithelium suffers from burns, dehydrates and begins to peel off. This can be avoided by using an instant bronzer;
  • extra food skin- in cosmetics, in addition to coloring pigments, components useful for the skin are added. As a rule, this plant extracts oils, additional trace elements and minerals that nourish the deep layers of the dermis;
  • moisturizing effect- is achieved by adding liquid granules, carnitine molecules and other vitamins to the compositions that retain moisture inside the cells. The benefits of such a tool are much greater than from sunbathing;
  • body radiance- in some products there are shimmering particles that are able to reflect light, giving greater expressiveness to body shapes;
  • saving time and Money - sunbathing should continue systematically, every day, from an hour to several hours, and the same shade can be achieved with one application of bronzer. Also, not only time is reduced, but money - use if not solar procedures, then a solarium, is much more expensive than a tube of coloring pigment;
  • availability- the price of self-tanning can be different, it all depends on the brand of the manufacturer and the composition of the cream. As a rule, bronzers can be purchased from 150 rubles and above.
  • independent use - you do not need to go to salons and visit expensive masters to look great - applying the product is quite simple and does not require much time.


The cons include:

  • short-term effect. Although the results are achieved quickly, the chocolate shade on the skin lasts for a few days at most, and then fades in patches. Therefore, you need to use the cream every day;
  • it is problematic to treat all parts of the body on your own. Since the tool has a specific texture, it must be applied to the whole body so that there are no streaks and abrupt transitions. Hence the problem of applying the product to the skin of the back. In this case, it is necessary to use the help of third parties;
  • uneven application. If the epidermis of the body is dry and flaky, in the absence of preparatory procedures, self-tanning stains the surface unevenly. Elbows, knees and palms may remain dark spots, since the dermis in these areas is much drier and absorbs more cream;
  • long selection suitable shade . Market cosmetic preparations crowded, there is a whole palette of shades of brown. Picking your own is sometimes problematic. You need to know exactly what effect you need to achieve and what kind of remedy is needed for this, otherwise the remedy does not work;
  • bad smell - Manufacturers use perfumed dyes that have a chemical scent. In this case, the skin is impregnated with this particular smell. Therefore, selection according to this criterion is extremely important;
  • leaves marks on clothes- bronzers are based on the usual coloring pigment, when it is not completely dry, yellowness appears on the clothes from contact. It is unlikely that such stains will be removed.


Contraindications

The use of self-tanners can affect the skin individually. There are a number of contraindications for use:

  • frequent allergic reactions . If you are prone to rashes, it is necessary to test for intolerance to the agent: apply a small amount of on the skin and wait a few hours. In the absence of any negative manifestations, self-tanning can be used;
  • skin lesions or rash - chemical compounds as part of a bronzer, they can harm damaged skin;
  • dermis diseases. For skin suffering from herpes, bronzer is literally harmful. The rash can be spread all over the body by applying the cream. At the time of treatment, it should be abandoned;
  • severe dryness epidermis. Some creams dry out the skin, therefore, with strong tightness, the product is also not recommended for application. Otherwise, you can get the effect of tanning spots;
  • period of pregnancy and breastfeeding . For girls in the position of self-tanning, it is not recommended to use - some compounds in the composition may adversely affect general condition. For pregnant women, it is recommended to look for safe analogues.


Kinds

Many brands that focus on the production of this cosmetics offer a choice of products various shades and types: in the form of a milky emulsion, creamy texture, lotion, oily liquid, spray, gel, balm or mousse. Read about the most common ones below.


Gel

This type of tool is the most in a simple way application - during bathing. Color results and duration of action are related to frequency of use. The main differences of such a product are that it lays down evenly, without streaks, while leaving no marks on towels and clothes. What is remarkable: there is no need for thorough rinsing. The disadvantages include an almost imperceptible effect. Popular brands:

  • Sublim Bronze by Loreal Paris This is an instant effect product. The gel dries very quickly and is absorbed instantly. Due to the fact that the pigment appears immediately, you can see the missing areas of the skin. Doesn't stain clothes. Cost from 1100 rubles;
  • Sun Touch by Nivea- cream, when applied, it appears almost immediately. However, it can clog pores and takes longer to absorb than bronzer spray. It has a favorable price - about 250 rubles;

Milk

Due to the light texture, these bronzers do not leave marks on clothes. Top quality brands:

  • milk "Express" from Floresan- presented as universal remedy for face and body. The cost is low - from 130 rubles, has pleasant smell but takes a little longer to absorb. regular gel;
  • « even tan» by Garnier- the product does not dry the skin, as the composition is enriched nutrients and fruit extracts. Pros: no parabens and fragrances, low cost - 500 rubles. Cons: need long-term use for a visible effect (about two weeks). May leave marks on clothing;

Cream

Bronzers of this type have a lasting effect, however, it also shows its effect much longer, which means that you need to spend more time and money. After this product is applied to the skin, you can not dress for another 20 minutes to absorb all the components into the skin.


Cream stamps are presented, for example:

  • lisse Minute Auto Bronzant by Clarins- cream with microparticles of acacia wood, narrowing pores and smoothing wrinkles. This product is nutritious and has a heavy texture, so it needs to be applied in small amounts with smooth movements. The cost is not cheap - about 2100 rubles;


Lotion

This cosmetics has an airy, light texture. The thickness of the layer, when using lotion, is easily controlled.

Most unusual stamps:

  • Self tanning Gradual 6 SPF by Lancaster. This tool perfect for those who have not used self-tanning. The lotion is easy to apply, and the effect appears gradually, within one week. Cost - about 1400 rubles;
  • Summer Glitter by Dove. It's like a product that can be easily applied to the skin of the body in summer: the shimmering particles in its composition will give the skin an incredible shade, reflecting light, and gradually darkening it. Cost - 400 rubles;

Cosmetic type oils

The oil base of such products is a storehouse of vitamins that nourish and moisturize the skin. The disadvantages of self-tanning oil include the formation of a sticky film on the skin. However, this remedy is best suited for sensitive and dry skin.


The most interesting position in the market:

  • Huile Somptueuse Bronze by Dior. The oil not only gives an even shade of tan to the skin, but also nourishes it with all necessary elements. Does not leave a film on the surface, makes it smooth. The cost of funds - from 2800 rubles;


How do they do it in a beauty salon

Use the services of a salon master - lovely way achieve a smooth effect in one application. special procedure takes no more than half an hour, and the application of the coloring pigment occurs immediately on the whole body. There are no smudges and bumps in this case, since a special self-tanning device is used. Stages of implementation:

  • skin cleansing. Passes under the supervision of the master. In a special cabin, a scrub composition is applied to the entire body, which prepares the body for uniform tan;
  • applying lotion. The equipment in the cabin is designed in such a way that the sprayer applies the agent evenly over the entire surface. The solution is absorbed in seconds, and is usually hypoallergenic, as it usually has a plant base, such as bamboo extract;
  • shower. After the service itself, it is necessary to take a cleansing shower, as excess product can stain clothes.


The results of the salon service last about 14 days. The tan fades gradually as the skin layer renews itself. Since the coloring pigment is located in the upper layer of the epithelium, when taking a shower, the water can turn into Brown color, it's nothing special. The cost of the service varies from 800 to 2100 rubles.


How to choose by skin type

A suitable self-tanner can be easily selected, knowing the type of your own and skin, and taking into account personal preferences in the intensity of tanning. For example, the skin is:

  • light- in this case, products with a slight shade of tan are needed and preferably with SPF protection because the skin is not protected from the negative effects of sunlight. As a rule, light skin has pigments and does not darken from sunlight. Blondes or red-haired girls both have this type of skin, which is why it is best to use delicate textures with smooth transition;
  • sensitive- then you should choose a lotion with hypoallergenic composition. It is better if the basis of such products is solid or in the form of a cream, since the sensitive one has a tendency to peel;
  • prone to inflammation- in order for the product not to have a negative effect on this type of skin, you should look for self-tanners with antiseptic components and a light texture. It is better if it is a caring spray. For this type, products with the effect of a tanning moment are suitable;
  • dry- best to use natural composition, for example, oil base with self-tanning effect. So, the tool will not only give a bronze tint, but will improve the condition of the skin;
  • normal- in this case, you can use any tool that you like. Besides, normal skin perfectly sets off the speed of self-tanning, and easily absorbs long-acting creams.


One of the most safe ways that allows you to give the skin a bronze tint, is self-tanning. It can be a cream, lotion, spray, milk or even special wipes. Their action is short-lived, and in the absence of application experience, stains or stains may appear. yellow tint.

If you want to quickly and painlessly get a tan, but do not want to risk your appearance, there is such a procedure as professional tanning. It is performed by a cosmetologist and involves uniform spraying of the bronzing preparation. In most cases, the fake tan lasts longer and there is no "spotting" effect.

More about the composition and duration of the effect

The main active molecule in self-tanning products is called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). It is obtained from cane. The action of DHA is to color the top layer of the skin. The applied dye is absorbed into several surface layers of the epidermis.

The cells of the upper epidermal layers no longer have a nucleus and major organelles, so DHA exposure does not cause DNA mutation and is no more dangerous than ordinary shadows, blush or powder. There are still no blood vessels in these layers, respectively, the pigmenting substance is not absorbed into the blood and systemic action (that is, action on internal organs) does not provide. Therefore, to the question of whether self-tanning is harmful to the skin, the answer is unambiguously negative.

Moreover, the dye takes on some of the function of melanin - a natural pigment that is formed during tanning. The task of melanin is to create a kind of barrier against ultraviolet radiation. That is, self-tanning partially duplicates the protection against rays that can cause skin cancer. And if the main active ingredient is added sun protection factor(SPF), then such a tool protects even better from ultraviolet radiation than a regular one.

As mentioned, dihydroxyacetone is absorbed by the most superficial layers of the epidermis. The "life" of these layers is short, and they quickly exfoliate. This is the reason for the short-lived effect of artificial tanning.

Self-tanning is very sensitive to the nature of the surface on which it is applied. So, if it is not clean enough or wet, this can affect the uniformity of application and cause “streaks”.

Cosmetologists provide the service "instant self-tanning". In this case, they usually use either products with a fairly high content of dihydroxyacetone (5-16%), or preparations based on erythrulose. The latter is a related substance to DHA, but has better absorption characteristics, so it is more evenly distributed over the integuments and colors them in more natural tones, without orange or yellow tints.

How long self-tanning made in the salon lasts depends on the main active ingredient, the lotion used, as well as the client's skin type. Usually this period is longer than when using home remedies, and is 7-10 days.

Types of tanning

Self-tanning can be called 2 types of drugs:

Bronzers

These are creams that do not contain dihydroxyacetone or erythrulose, but only a coloring pigment. It is not absorbed by the epidermis and can be easily washed off with water at any time.

Bronzers are actively used by makeup artists: with their help, the effect of sculpting the face is well created.

Since such an agent is not absorbed, even a small amount of sweat, sebum or water will cause it to spread. So if you want streak-free self-tanning, use products that contain dihydroxyacetone or erythrulose.

Autobronzates

They contain sugar from cane extract, and it is they who are able to penetrate into the surface layers of the epidermis. Autobronzates do not begin to act immediately, but after a few hours, while maximum concentration achieved in approximately 8-12 hours (sometimes later). At this time, you should not expose the treated areas to the action of water or alcohol, you should not engage in exercise(so that sweat does not wash off the applied drug).

Please note: Most DHA-based self-tanners for the face will differ from those for the body. This is due to the different concentrations of the active substance.

It is advisable to choose such a time of day for applying self-tanning so that you can stay in the sun for 6-8 hours. home clothes(the product tends to stain it) and at the same time not go to bed (it is possible to stain bed linen).

Autobronzates are applied after pre-training, which we'll talk about a little later.

Hue

Desired shade skin pigmentation written on the product packaging:

  • If you want a dark, chocolate-like color, choose one that says "Dark" or "Fonce".
  • If the desired shade lies in medium brown color scheme, buy Medium or Moyenne.
  • If you do not want to surprise others with a sharp transition from aristocratic pallor to chocolate color, choose Light or Clair.

Indications and contraindications for self-tanning

Anyone can apply a product based on dihydroxyacetone, if he is not allergic to the components of a particular autobronzate. In addition to allergic manifestations, other contraindications are exacerbation herpetic infection, wounds and inflammation at the treatment site. Breastfeeding and pregnancy is not a contraindication.

Which self tanner to choose

Before buying, decide what form of release the product should have, as well as what should be written on the package.

Release form

The action of Biocon self-tanning cream

The result of applying Garnier Ambre Solaire

The effect of Nivea-Sun bronzer

The action of Floresan self-tanning spray
Photos taken from the resource otzovik.com

Self-tanning for the body can be in the form of a cream, milk, gel, lotion, spray or oil. You need to choose one of them depending on the type of your skin:

  • Spray. Suitable for any type, dries quickly enough. For the first application and for the face, it is better not to use such a remedy, since it is not clear where the spray has already hit, and which areas have not yet been painted over. This can cause streaks and uneven coloration. When spraying, the product must be protected Airways and eyes from aerosol.
  • Body milk. Best applied to oily skin. The product is easy to apply and absorb.
  • The cream is used primarily for dry skin; if the latter is very dry and white, it is better to mix self-tanning 1: 1 with a moisturizer, and only then apply. Creams dry out for a long time, during the drying period they can be smeared with clothes or washed off with water.
  • The gel is suitable for all skin types. The agent is quickly absorbed, additionally matting the treated areas, lays down evenly, but rich color does not give.
  • The lotion is optimal for normal and oily types.
  • Self-tanning oil is ideal for dry skin. It is absorbed for a long time, but perfectly nourishes and moisturizes.

Color type

The color type directly affects the choice of self-tanning.

If you are dark-haired, dark-skinned, and do not want to see a yellow tint in the end, you need a preparation labeled "Dark".

For people with hair from light blond to chestnut, owners peach shade skin, as well brown eyes recommended tanning "Medium".

For fair skin it can be a cream, milk, spray or gel labeled "Light".

Choose by rating

The top 10 auto bronzers, according to many women surveyed, look like this (in order from most effective to least effective):

  1. A Clarins concentrate called Radiance-Plus Golden Glow Booster, which requires a 1:1 dilution with milk or moisturizer, strictly according to the instructions. Can be used on face and body.
  2. Lancome's Oil-Free Flash Bronzer Lotion. It is used mainly for the face, but can also be used for the body.
  3. Gel from L'Oreal in a bottle with a dispenser called "Sublime Bronze". It is formulated for use on the body, but when mixed with your favorite moisturizer 1:1, it can also be used on the face.
  4. Cream from L'Oreal "Nutri Bronze". It has a special smell that not everyone will like, contains shine, is absorbed quickly, and lasts for a relatively long time.
  5. Spray off Lancaster Self Tanning for the body has been tried by many women who claim that this self-tanner does not give yellowness.
  6. Milk from Floresan. Although it is very inexpensive means, nevertheless, well pigments the skin of the face or torso; they can darken local white spots for 7-10 days.
  7. Dior Bronze Shimmering Glow. This remedy is applied to the face; gives it a golden, without yellowness, shade, and also improves the condition of aging skin.
  8. Yves Rocher "Bronze Nature" not only colors, but also tightens the skin, and also moisturizes it. The tool is adapted for daily use.
  9. "Sun Touch" by Nivea. This is a body spray that contains not only alcohols, but also vitamin E, which is an antioxidant.
  10. Means from Dove "Shine of summer". Body lotion, which acts very gently, slowly stains the skin: the effect can be seen no earlier than after 3 days.

How to apply self-tanner

Applying self-tanner requires a special algorithm, otherwise you risk getting streaks and uneven color. The same steps must be followed if you go to the salon procedure.

So, point by point.

First you need to check if you have allergies. To do this, apply a small amount of the drug on inner surface forearm. Wait 20 minutes, or wash off sooner if the application site is itchy or red. The drug that caused such symptoms should not be used.

5-7 days before the procedure, remove from the usual care plan products that contain fruit or salicylic acid. Otherwise, you can get unpredictable results.

Immediately before applying the auto bronzer, exfoliate with a scrub and a pumice stone. As an exfoliating agent, both purchased and home scrub(salt mixed with liquid soap, honey with soda). Remove carefully long hair at the places of application.

Stop using deodorants 5-6 hours before. The skin should be moisturized with a cream (if necessary), and then thoroughly dried with a dry towel. Now you can apply self-tanner. Put on gloves, and first process more tight skin, then more tender. First paint those areas that are always open to the sun, then the rest of the areas.

Movement - from the bottom up. On the skin of the knees, elbows, self-tanning is needed less than for other areas. Axillary areas can not be stained at all.

When processing the face, so that there is no sharp contrast between the colored skin and hairy part head, before coloring, apply a moisturizer along the hairline, on the ears and on the back of the neck. Clip your hair or put it under the headband so that it does not interfere. The area of ​​the nose and forehead is treated last, the drug should not be applied to the skin around the eyes.

You need to rub self-tanner in a circular motion and pretty fast. It is necessary to process the hands from the outside, but if the drug gets on the palms of the nails and between the fingers, it must be washed off. The product can be reapplied after 30-60 minutes, if so written in the instructions.

After applying self-tanner, do not rinse it off. Lubricate the places where little funds could get, and “joints” with a moisturizer: this will prevent the formation of sharp transitions and a different tone. Look at the folds of the skin: they should not contain cream, remove the excess of the latter with a napkin.

Over the next 6-8 hours (unless the instructions say otherwise), you can not:

  • wash or take a shower;
  • exercise;
  • change clothes several times (it is advisable not to wear light-colored clothes at all);
  • lie down in bed.

If you immediately see that the resulting tone is quite dark, wash off the self-tanner from this area using a coarse washcloth.

If the tone does not fit?

If the skin tone that turned out does not suit you, we will tell you several ways to wash off self-tanner.

Method number 1, for the body. We take a warm bath with foam, lie in it for at least an hour, three washcloths, and then scrub the skin on which autobronzate was applied. The method is suitable if you do not like the color of the entire skin, it has acquired yellowness or there are multiple stains.

Method number 2, for the body. We use a tuff washcloth. Take a bath with foam, and then actively treat the desired areas with a washcloth.

Method number 3, for the face and body. We use lemon. You can cut it, and just rub it with too ugly colored places, then quickly rinse off the juice. You can also use lemon juice: mix 2 tbsp. juice from 1 tsp. soda, rub with such a “scrub” right places. Rinse Quickly: lemon juice contains fruit acids, which exfoliate the epidermis, and the longer they are kept on the skin, the deeper the effect will be.

Method number 4, suitable if self-tanning was applied to the face, and its overall effect is not to your liking. We use a mask of white clay diluted with sour cream. Keep it for 15-20 minutes, wash off.

Method number 5, suitable for the face and body, if the tone is too yellow or orange. Treat the “affected” skin with baby oil, soak for 10-30 minutes. In this case, the tan will remain, but it will no longer be so bright and yellow.

Method number 6, suitable for fixing small spots. To do this, squeeze a “pea” of toothpaste onto your finger and treat it with too dark areas, massage them in a circular motion, rinse off the paste.

For those who are contraindicated direct solar exposure who are worried about self-tanning will also be a great alternative.

A beautiful, even tan in our temperate latitudes is perceived as a sign of health and well-being, and undoubtedly has an aesthetic appeal. Self-tanning products allow you to easily and quickly "tan" without being exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Everything is clear with ultraviolet - its excess is not very good for health. The question is, isn't self-tanning more harmful? Let's try to figure out whether self-tanning is harmful or safe.

Self-tanning is of two types. The most common type is the topical spray or cream. The product is applied to the skin, then a tan gradually appears within 2-3 hours. Usually, active substance is dihydroxyacetone (DHA), the content of which mainly determines whether self-tanning of this type is harmful. Dihydroxyacetone is a saccharide derived from sugar beets. When applied to the skin, it binds to skin proteins, but only at a superficial level, without penetrating further than the epidermis. Therefore, a tan acquired with dihydroxyacetone does not last long, no more than 4 days, and then disappears as old epidermal cells are shed and new ones form.

Careful studies conducted to determine whether self-tanning is harmful or not have not established any damaging effect of products containing dihydroxyacetone. Self-tanning preparations of the external type can be used even by pregnant women. The only restriction concerns alcohol, which is part of all such funds. Alcohol is known to dry out the skin, so frequent use Self-tanners can make your skin dry. However, this does not mean that this method is harmful, since side effect can be easily avoided by limiting the use of self-tanning products to no more than 1 time per week, and in parallel using moisturizers to maintain the moisture balance of the skin.

The second type of self-tanning is achieved with pills taken by mouth. When they say self-tanning is harmful, they mean pills. Self-tanning tablets contain the substance canthaxanthin, which is a carotenoid. This substance is also known as E161g, according to international labeling. food additives, and is a dye orange color. Once inside the body, it is absorbed by the cells and stains the tissues from the inside. This type of self-tanning lasts longer than external, but it has serious drawbacks.

Canthaxanthin tends to accumulate in tissues, causing cell damage. This primarily concerns the cells of the liver, retina and gastrointestinal tract, because of which the use of E161g is prohibited in many countries.

The conclusion is as follows: self-tanning is harmful if tablets are used for it, and harmless if carried out using external agents.

In her blog Don’t Touch My Face, engineer and petrophysicist Adel Miftakhova tells what is cosmetics made of how to take care of your skin.

Self-tanning in the skin appears due to a substance called dihydroxyacetone(DGA). It is a simple monosaccharide and is extracted either from beets and sugar cane or from glycerin.

Dihydroxyacetone reacts with amino acids in the skin, which is why several types of brown pigments are formed in it (amino acids are the building blocks of all living things, proteins and peptides are built from them). This reaction produces a very characteristic smell. It can be disguised, but a light fleur of burnt skin will be from any remedy. Ironically, this is the same reaction that occurs when baking bread. It is called the Maillard reaction and it is because of it that a brown crust forms on the bread.

The reaction begins to appear a few hours after application and lasts for several days. DHA penetrates only into the most upper layer skin and works only with keratinized cells. And therefore, no matter how expensive self-tanning you choose, it will not last longer than a conditional week. The price of the jar does not affect the rate of renewal of your skin. But exfoliating before it (to remove excess dead skin cells) and moisturizing after color development will help prolong the effect of self-tanning.

The color that is obtained from self-tanning depends on the formula of the product and the purity of the dihydroxyacetone. And here the price can already matter. There are other types of sugars that also produce brown shade, but they are used extremely rarely and are usually paired with dihydroxyacetone. Because they are not as efficient.

Self-tanners are relatively safe. Compared to conventional tanning, they are completely safe. There is a study that DHA increases production free radicals from UV radiation, but it used a concentration that is usually not found in creams. Plus, this effect is leveled by the use of sunscreen, which should be used in any case. There is a study that the constant use of self-tanner irritates the skin, but this, as usual, depends on each individual.

The biggest danger of self-tanning is that people think it protects from the sun. No, it does not protect from the sun at all. Therefore, along with self-tanning on exposed parts of the body, it is imperative to use a cream with SPF.

While the fashion for a tanned body has not passed, while people with skin of a pleasant bronze hue are considered sexually attractive, self-tanning, as well as natural tanning and a solarium, will be very popular, especially among the fair sex. Well, how else: summer all year round it doesn’t happen, and you often don’t run into hot countries, but you always want to be sexy. So it turns out that during the year you have to use aids. If you really want and need - all methods are good. Whether they are harmless is another question.

Is self-tanning harmful?

For normal tanning, sunscreens containing UV filters are used, and self-tanning cream contains dyes, which actually give the skin a pleasant shade. But, like any synthetic product, self-tanning has its drawbacks, namely, it dries the skin due to the alcohol it contains. Moreover, the darker shade you want to get, the more drying effect on the skin will be provided. Therefore, always use moisturizing creams after application.

However, we must pay tribute to the manufacturers of self-tanning creams, because there are already face and neck creams, and they are quite sparing, that is, moisturizing components are already included in them.

Staining occurs at the level of the superficial stratum corneum of skin cells, the agent does not penetrate into the blood. Maximum effect occurs a few hours after application. And it is not washed off the skin for a maximum of a week, until a natural change occurs at the cellular level.

As with any other personal care product, it is better, of course, to prefer quality and expensive creams for self-tanning from manufacturers that have proven themselves to be good products.

If we talk about whether it is possible to use this product on an ongoing basis, then we should approach this from a logical point of view: any synthetic products are not a native environment for the skin, which means that their constant presence is not necessary and not even necessary. And when comparing the effects on the skin of self-tanning and radiation from lamps in a solarium, self-tanning undoubtedly takes a more advantageous position. But here much still depends on the individual perception of your skin. At very sensitive skin do not use products with a dye content of more than five percent. After application, the skin acquires a subtle, but still foreign smell that is not characteristic of the skin. Whether your partner will be pleased to feel this smell is also a matter of personal plan.

How often you want to use this tool depends on your needs. But try to still follow the recommendations for its use. Specifically:

    Apply the cream on a clean body after taking a shower. Will be appropriate detergents with exfoliating effect. Start the procedure with the face, gradually moving to the body. Watch for even application. Do not put on clothes immediately after application for a third of an hour. Be aware of the drying effect, so use a moisturizer. Also, immediately after the procedure, you should thoroughly wash your hands (for obvious reasons). It is undesirable to use self-tanner more than three times a week.