Summer Product Review: Sunless Tanners, Questions and Answers

One thing remains constant from summer to summer. For millions of Americans, summer means it is time to get a tan. Most of us desperately long for that beautiful bronze glow, which is recognized as a symbol of beauty. After all, it makes you look healthier. It assists in giving the illusion of being thinner. It even helps most of those summer colors "pop."

Unfortunately, a large number of Americans can't obtain the tan they want by the standard means. Some fear the dangers of the sun; an increased chance for skin cancer and aging of the skin. Others want to avoid the changes in their skin by freckling and age spots; not to mention those long term "leathery" effects. Still others know that they will not tan, but burn and that the process will be both painful and fruitless.

For these reasons, more people are opting to protect themselves against the sun. For tips on "Skin Protection Against the Sun," see the article by AC writer Teresa Opdycke. Instead of sun worshipping, these individuals are exploring the benefits of sunless tanning. Luckily, the process has improved over the years. Today, you can get a tan without ever stepping out into the sun. However, they also leave you with a lot of questions. This article seeks to answer those questions.

How do sunless tanners work and why?

The active ingredient DHA (dihydroxyacetone) found in sunless tanners saturates dead skin cells to activate a protein found inside, turning them brown. A nice benefit of self-tanners is the fact that you don't have to start tanning months in advance. Self-tanners generally begin working within a few hours. And you can control the depth of the tan as well as where the tan goes (e.g., the face, the legs, or all over). There will be no more tan lines where you don't want them.

Are sunless tanners safe?