Everything you wanted to know about self-tanning: is it possible to sunbathe with it, is it harmful to the skin and much more interesting things

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Traditionally, we sincerely sympathize with everyone who is stuck in dusty and hot cities in the summer. After all, this is the time for hiking, bivouacs in nature, gentle sea waves splashing near the shore and persistent rays of sunshine, inexorably making our skin darker and our thoughts happier. However, such a pleasure as a beautiful natural tan is not available to every beauty who wants to look attractive, well-groomed, and fashionable at all costs, because business can keep us in the city, but work does not allow us to go to the beach and lie around to our heart's content. scorching rays.

If previously you could only shrug your shoulders and sit in a stuffy office, covering your white legs with the hem of a sundress, now you can use one of the many self-tanning products that the market offers in a fairly wide range, and become sporty, tanned, as if you had just come from the gentle sea. However, in view of recent conversations about the safety of cosmetics, I would like to find out whether self-tanning is harmful to the skin, are we making things worse for ourselves by lubricating the dermis with a composition about which we know absolutely nothing? This is exactly what we will find out today, answering numerous questions from lovers of chocolate skin tones.

Simple solutions to complex problems: how self-tanning works

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Contrary to the most controversial opinions that can be heard from consumers, all creams, sprays, gels and other cosmetics that can give the skin a rich and tanned color actually contain the same substance called dihydroxyacetone. It is this chemical compound that “knows how” to react with the upper layers of the epidermis, after which it acquires a distinct brownish, bronze, and sometimes reddish tint.

Worth knowing

The higher the dihydroxyacetone content in a self-tanning cream, gel or even spray, the richer, darker and thicker your skin tone will be. Thus, you should not buy a product with a high content of this substance if your skin has a milky white tint, since coloring it right away will not be easy, and may even be impossible. It is better to get a product with a cumulative effect that acts gradually.

Since we are going to understand it thoroughly, it is worth knowing that the upper layers of the skin do not oxidize when applying any self-tanning product, but a different reaction occurs, which scientists call the Moyar reaction. In fact, the substance contained in the cream simply reacts with sugars and amino acids, which become darker as a result.

It is interesting that the shade of your own skin will not depend at all on the chosen product, which is worth remembering, but on the characteristics, composition, as well as other qualities of the dermis. The entire interaction reaction occurs in the upper layers of the epidermis, and we can say that self-tanning creams have absolutely nothing to do with ultraviolet radiation and the reaction it causes, and there cannot be anything in common.

Subtleties of preparation

No matter how expensive and high-quality the self-tanning product is, in order to get the proper result, you must follow the rules for its application.

In order for the cream to color the body evenly, it is necessary to use a scrub before applying it.

The skin should be clean and dry. Only well-cleaned skin will not leave streaks.

A smooth body, freed from dead cells thanks to the scrub, will quickly absorb the cream and evenly turn bronze within 10-15 minutes after applying the cream (some products appear after a couple of hours).

Only with careful preparation, the risk of spots and other unevenness on the skin is completely eliminated.

It is recommended to treat dry areas of the body – elbows, knees – with special care. Before application, these areas should be moistened with cream. If this is not done, they may subsequently turn darker.

After water procedures, it is recommended to take a break - cool down a little (for 10-15 minutes).

This respite will allow the pores to narrow - excess product will not be able to get into them. It is important to exclude oils and other moisturizing body lotions - a layer of oily products acts as a protective film and prevents the even application of self-tanning.

Due to the fact that the product will lie unevenly, dark spots may subsequently appear on the skin - the tan will look unnatural and not entirely aesthetically pleasing.

The following cosmetics are suitable for cleansing the skin:

1. Tonic or other dirt-cleansing cream.
2. Scrub (you can use both a ready-made cosmetic product and natural deep-cleaning masks prepared according to folk recipes - for example, based on natural coffee, sugar, salt, etc.).
3. Anti-oily skin lotion.

Don't forget about hard-to-reach places. For example, the hands and the space between the fingers often remain white.

It is important not only to remember to apply the product to sensitive areas, but also to ensure that it has time to be completely absorbed into the skin (do not wet your hands after applying the product for at least one hour).

How to use the sun in a bottle: self-tanning - application is simple, ridiculously so

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Each self-tanning product, that is, for giving your own skin a beautiful tan, must have its own instructions for use, which accurately describe the entire process and must be clearly studied before applying a cosmetic product to your body. Moreover, it doesn’t matter at all whether you decide to apply self-tanning after a solarium to add brightness to the shade, or just because. True, in addition to individual instructions, there are also general recommendations that should not be ignored at all, but on the contrary, need to be taken into account.

• Whenever you apply any kind of self-tanner to your body, it should be completely clean. It is unacceptable to smear your skin with such a product just after coming from the beach, for example.
• You should definitely make an exfoliating mask or a whole body scrub. This will help get rid of possible stains, streaks and streaks.
• Gel, cream, jelly or spray should be applied no earlier than ten minutes after visiting the bath or shower, since the pores must close. Otherwise, you risk turning into a speckled person.
• Try to spread the product evenly over the entire surface of the skin, as excess of it can also lead to the appearance of unsightly spots.

Be sure to do the test, the instructions for which are slightly below, in order to protect yourself from a possible allergic reaction, because if you get a rash, then the next question, whether self-tanning works for tanning, will no longer be relevant at all.

Instant tanning: fast and technologically advanced

If you want to quickly get a beautiful skin tone, you can do an instant tan. Using special equipment, reed lotion is applied to the body, which is why this type of tan is also called reed tanning. The composition contains a natural component - dihydroxyacetone sugar, which stimulates the process of melanin production. As a result, the skin darkens, like self-tanning.

The procedure is suitable for those who need to get an even tan in a few hours - on the eve of an important event, a performance or before a trip to the sea, so as not to be embarrassed by white skin.

How long an instant tan lasts is influenced by the rate of cell renewal in a particular person and the concentration of the lotion. The effect usually appears within 6–10 hours and lasts from one to two weeks. An instant tanning machine is a unit with a turbine and a sprayer. The service is provided in the salon and at home.

Pros and cons of instant tanning

The procedure itself takes 15–20 minutes; liquid peeling is first applied to the body. The shade can vary from golden to bronze. Another advantage of instant tanning is the lifting effect due to the moisturizing components in the composition.

Instant tanning also has its downsides. For the next 3–8 hours after the procedure, it is recommended to wear loose, not too light-colored clothing, and avoid touching and excessive sweating. In general, it is more difficult than with a solarium, but faster and more durable than with self-tanning.

Instant tanning products are made from natural ingredients. High-quality products are tested for allergenicity. Popular instant tanning formulations are safe, as are the methods of applying them. But still, test the product on a small area of ​​skin first.

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It is impossible to predict how skin will behave under chemical spraying. A lot of chemicals were dispersed over Moscow due to the epidemiological situation. Be careful and be sure to test new products.

Time H: how long does it take for self-tanning to appear?

Another fundamental question that interests quite a lot of our subscribers, especially those who cannot be patient or read the instructions for this or that product. Moreover, whatever one may say, the time when a new dark shade will appear is definitely written on the packaging or in the accompanying documentation (instructions) and you only need to spend two minutes of your own precious time to read it.

Photo from the site: liveinternet.ru

Most often, such remedies appear within two hours, and sometimes it can take up to a quarter of a day. If we are talking about cumulative self-tanning, then the first time you may not notice anything at all, since it acts gently and gradually. Moreover, it is worth remembering that the faster the cream acts, the easier and easier it will most likely be washed off. You need to know that almost all self-tanners stain clothes, so first dry thoroughly and only then put on your clothes.

How long does self-tanning last on the body: calculate the following procedure

There is another fundamental question that also worries many women extremely much, and it sounds like this: how long does self-tanning last, and how long will it take before it completely disappears. It is quite difficult to answer this seemingly simple question in general terms, because in many ways it is very individual and depends on the characteristics of your own body.

Photo from the site: anukapohudei.ru

As has already been repeated, pigment from a cosmetic product qualitatively colors only the very top layers of the epidermis, without penetrating deep into it. This means that as the cells of this epidermis die and exfoliate, the tan will gradually fade, in fact, be washed away. Most often this happens within seven or nine days, but it can happen earlier. But if you want to maintain an even, uniform color, then it is better to constantly repeat the procedure, at least two or even three times a week.

Common mistakes when applying tanning

The most common mistakes when using self-tanning are orange streaks or streaks. If this effect could not be avoided, then you can try to soften them with nail polish remover. Lightly wet a cotton pad and gently wipe over the stain or stripe. It's better to do it slowly and little by little.

It is also a mistake to scrub the skin after a self-tanning procedure. This can harm the new skin tone and simply wash off the product.

Remember to always wear sunscreen, even if you use self-tanner. The latter does not interfere with tanning, but does not protect against it either.

Is it possible to sunbathe with self-tanner in the sun: summer is calling

So, from everything that has been said above, it becomes completely clear whether it is possible to sunbathe after self-tanning, and the answer is quite positive. These cosmetics simply paint the top layer of skin, which, by the way, will be washed off over time, along with the dye, and does not trigger any further processes in the human body, hence its complete harmlessness. Of course, provided that you do not have an individual, personal intolerance to the components of the product.

Photo from website: intensa.pro

This means that it is quite possible to go out into the sun and sunbathe while smearing yourself with a self-tanner, and it will not affect your natural tan at all if it does not contain special filter particles. Among other things, it can help you tan because it attracts more ultraviolet radiation, but it can dry out the skin, also for this very reason. So it’s worth going and sunbathing, even if you have an excellent self-tanning cream, just stock up on special cosmetics that you usually use and everything will be very good.

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Original high-quality self-tanning: harmful or not

The excitement that has recently arisen around original tanning products, which are conveniently and beautifully lined up on the shelves of our cosmetic stores, was not caused by chance. Cosmetologists and doctors around the world unanimously insist that bronzers, gels, sprays, and creams simply cannot bring any harm, because, as already mentioned, they have nothing to do with ultraviolet radiation, and, consequently, with photoaging. However, you can put yourself in danger even by purchasing the treasured tube, which seems so harmless and harmless.

• Any self-tanning can cause harm if you bought a low-quality product of unknown origin. You shouldn’t take such cosmetics from unverified retail outlets, from stalls on the market, and even more so from shady characters in underground passages or gateways, otherwise it’s no wonder you’ll get a terrible allergic reaction.
• Many people, out of ignorance, think that if they applied self-tanning to their body, then the rays of the sun are no longer afraid of them, but everything is exactly the opposite. Darker skin attracts ultraviolet radiation more strongly and will burn much more easily. If you want this to not happen, you should buy only those products that contain special filters.
• With regular use, for example, daily or even three times a week, slight dehydration of the skin may occur, which, however, can be easily corrected with other cosmetic moisturizing creams and other products offered on the market today.

Photo from the site: sun-planet.ru

Among other things, it is also worth considering that self-tanning products are usually certified, so feel free to ask for such papers in the store. If they are in no hurry to present them to you, it is better to pass by to avoid consequences. That is, in fact, this product is completely harmless, but the question remains whether it is possible to use self-tanning during pregnancy, because mothers do not want to harm their own baby. However, this needs to be discussed separately, as it is an extremely important factor.

Ideal self-tanning: contraindications worth considering

You need to know that there are, of course, contraindications that will prevent you from using self-tanners. There are few of them and basically, this is the personal predisposition of the body. Otherwise, such products are completely harmless, especially high-quality, branded ones, which you only need to buy in a store.

• Vitiligo, psoriasis and other chronic skin problems.
• Cuts, scratches, punctures and other mechanical damage.
• Inflammatory processes on the surface of the epidermis, acne, rashes, pimples.
• Oncological diseases of the dermis.

Reviews

SVETLANA, 34 YEARS OLD:

“Self-tanning has become a real salvation for me.
I have fair skin. Even after a vacation at the seaside, I don’t have a pronounced tan. And self-tanning allows you to have a bronze tint all year round. I apply carefully using gloves.

The main thing is to rub the product in well, without missing any areas. After this procedure, I don’t wear clothes for about 2-3 hours so that everything is absorbed evenly. I use the inexpensive Biocon product.”

ANNA, 28 YEARS OLD:

“I use self-tanner to improve my tan. The end result is very impressive. I use Garnier."

Is it possible to use self-tanning during pregnancy: the health of babies comes first

Photo from the site: o-krasote.com

It often happens that just during the summer period you really want and dream of looking bold, daring, tanned and beautiful; there comes a time when a little life is born inside and it would be a crime on our part to harm it. In fact, it is not recommended for mothers expecting offspring to spend a long time in the sun. Therefore, an unusual number of women are really sincerely interested in whether pregnant women can use self-tanning, whether it will harm the baby and what consequences may arise. We will try to answer these and other questions.

To begin with, it is worth recalling that all the reactions that color our skin with a golden or chocolate hue under the influence of the product occur in the upper layers, and these substances are not able to penetrate into the deeper layers. However, there is still something to worry about; self-tanning for pregnant women can be harmful if it contains substances that can cause allergies. Therefore, you should definitely closely monitor the composition, and it wouldn’t hurt to test the product before spreading it all over your body.

Allergy test

In order to make sure that you definitely do not have an allergy to this cosmetic product, it is worth doing a simple test. To do this, apply a little product to the cleansed skin of the inside of the wrist or elbow and leave for several hours. There is no need to worry that a speck will remain; it can be easily removed with a slice of lemon. If after twelve hours there is no redness, itching or other unpleasant things, then everything is in order and the product can be used.

Useful video

Watch the video about how self-tanning works and the dangers of self-tanning:

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