Self Tanners
The Perfect Solution for Self Tanners
Tan skin is the dream of many. You can get your dream tan by going to the salon for application or if you cannot afford the salon tanning, you have the option for self tanners. Self tanners are getting more popular these days because of their lower costs compared with saloon tanning and the convenience of home application. Before deciding to use self tanners, read on the common problems that you may encounter and get the solution in a snap.
Uneven Coverage
Uneven coverage is the most common dilemma of self tanners. Most customers want to achieve an instant tan and yet they fail to exfoliate several days before using the product. Failure to exfoliate leads to uneven surface and later on to uneven tan.
Solution
Prepare your skin by exfoliating a few days before you apply self tanners. You can purchase exfoliating scrub specific for sunless tanning. Generously use moisturizer after every exfoliation and stop its application the day you use self tanners as this will interfere in their absorption. Shaving and waxing are forms of exfoliation. You can do these rituals ahead of time. On the day of your application, work slowly by rubbing the self tanners completely. If you are prone to streaks, use sunless lotion so that you can smooth out uneven areas. If you have stripes but your skin still looks pale, you can use correction towelettes or wipes with self tanners. You can also try using tinted moisturizers or bronzers to even out the area.
Blotchy Spots
Blotchy spots occur in the elbows, ankles and knuckles and give the fake tan look. The unwanted color is because drier skin absorbs more self tanner. Once it comes in contact with the skin, it reacts well in thicker skin.
Solution
Get moisturized and exfoliated several days before using self tanners. When you apply the self tanner in your elbows, ankles and knuckles, dilute the product with equal amount of moisturizer. The technique gives you a more natural tan look for these areas. If this does not work, you can go to the shower after tanning and scrub the dark blotches with loofah. You can slather on a moisturizer and do the process again after 24 hours.
Wrong Shade of Tan
Getting a too orange, yellow or brown skin looks so unnatural and disgusting. The end color of self tanners depends primarily on your natural skin color.
Solution
Find a product with perfect shade. You can start by using self tanners with lower concentrations of DHA or those showing fair or medium shade. Give yourself 2 or 3 applications several days before your big day. This ensures that you do not ruin your day with an incorrect and unbelievable color.
No Change at All
Even after following the rituals and the instructions carefully, you are exactly the same color as before, the reason may be due to an expired product or competition with other skin products like a moisturizer or simply, water.
Solution
Most self tanners have a shelf life of only 2 years. Check the product’s expiration before grabbing one. Self-tanners react with dead cells. If your skin is wet with water or moisturizer, the self tanners will not work properly. Thus, it is important that you dry up your skin completely before you apply the product. You can also reapply the product an hour after the first application to intensify the color.
Getting a natural glowing tan is easy and it does not have to be very expensive. You can get the perfect shade by carefully preparing your skin and finding just the right shade for you. With self tanners, you get the gorgeous just-came-from-vacation-look at your own convenience.