SUNLESS BRONZERS

Some sunless tanning products come in the form of moisturizers (as lotions and crèmes) and powders and are referred to as bronzers. Basically you simply apply these to your skin as you would make up products for a temporary “tan” appearance, similar to the effects of applied makeup leaving a “tint.”

Then you just wash the bronzers off with soap and water; the “tan is removed with washing. Caution is needed so that the products do not stain clothing or other fabric. And care needs to be taken so that the applications do not streak or run when wet, similar to the results of mascara running. And finally, make sure that if you wear these products outdoors, they contain sunscreen in the ingredients; otherwise wear protective clothing, eyewear, etc.

Sunless Tanning Booths 

Sunless tanning booths are becoming more popular. With an air compressor and an airbrush delivery system in one of these booths, skin receives a “tan.” What happens is that pistons in the compressor quickly press or force air out via a nozzle in an airbrush or spray head. This air mixes with a tanning solution containing DHA that’s inside compartments within the airbrush, and sprays this in a fine mist over the outer skin layer. Some tanning booths have up to 36 of these airbrushes connected to the compressor and they are all either in fixed positions or moving. Thus tanning clients then either move under fixed sprayers so that skin is covered all over. Or else the tanner parts move to spray the different body parts (these types pose more mechanical maintenance issues though.)

Many report a more professional-looking, smooth and even tanning that even covers hard-to-reach areas like cheeks and shoulders. Note that the tanning solution used in the machine most probably has no sun protection component; so if you are heading outdoors, protect your skin appropriately.

Tanning Accelerators

For a speedier tan, you might elect to try a tanning accelerator. Generally sold as lotions or pills, these products list an amino acid called tyrosine in with the ingredients. This amino acid is reported (but not proven) by some users to increase the production of melanin, speeding up the tanning process. Again, these are not FDA-approved solutions or drugs.

A different type of sunless-tanning pill on the market today lists canthaxanthin, a color additive for food, as an ingredient. The FDA has approved of this substance with use in foods and only small amounts are added. However, as with tyrosine, canthaxanthin has NOT been approved by the FDA. In actuality, to tan with this, you would need large amounts. And the results would likely be an orange-brown- colored tan, and possible side effects; hepatitis or a retinopathic condition with yellow deposits forming in eye’s retina.