Spa Sentiments

In part 1 of this 2 part series, we uncovered the reasons why sunless tanners can leave you with streaks and blotchy skin.  We also outlined specific and simple steps to take to avoid these two potential problems.

Now, let’s talk about how to apply your sunless lotion step by step for the best application you’ve ever had.  Step by step, how complicated is sunless tanning anyway?  Applying a sunless lotion is not rocket science by any means and prepping your skin before hand goes a long way in ensuring a great looking tan.  With a few simple techniques, you’ll be a quiz in no time.

To better understand why exfoliation is so important before and in between sunless applications, we first must understand exactly how a sunless tanner works whether it is a spray or lotion.

Sunless tanning lotions and sprays are most effective when they contain a very special ingredient called dihydroxyacetone or DHA for short.  DHA is a form of colorless sugar that interacts with the skin cells located on the most outer layer of the body.  This most outer layer is where all of the dead skin cells are.  (are you seeing a connection here?)

So basically, DHA interacts with the skin cells on your skin’s surface to create your sunless tan.  In order to have a good foundation for the sunless tanner to have the best effect, you need to get rid of all those loose, flaking cells revealing a smoother surface that will have an immediate effect on how well your sunless tan looks and how long it lasts.  Depending on your own skin’s rate of sloughing off the dead cells, your sunless tan will last somewhere between 3 to 7 days from the initial application.

Now on to our step by step guide.  First up?  Exfoliation!

Step 1:  Exfoliation - Prepping the skin
Use a good exfoliation soap or sugar scrub (my personal favorite) over the entire body (or the part you would like to tan) in the bath or shower to remove dead skin cells. As we have already discussed, this is essential for sunless tanners to work properly. It’s hard for a product to tan skin that is in the processing of flaking off.  Exfoliation will also help soften the skin so that the tanning application is smoother (give extra attention to the knees, elbows, ankles, and tops of hands & feet). Use approximately 2 to 4 times per week to keep the dead cells removed as you CONTINUE with Step 2.

Step 2 is the actual application process.  It may read a bit long, but once you understand the process, you will no longer need instructions and will be a pro sunless tanner in no time.  The assumption here is that you are using a product that contains a color guide so that you can see where you are applying the product.

Step 2:  Application - Sunless Tanning Lotion, Spray or Mousse
A sunless tanner can be applied at any time of the day.  P.M. application is usually recommend (to start with) to achieve the maximum benefits from the product. Use an applicator (or your hands) and smooth over entire body while bending knees and elbows and glazing lightly over hands and feet.  (if you apply using your bare hands, be sure to wash thoroughly - immediately after use because your palms are very porous and will absorb the product quickly)

Moisten the applicator with water and blot out excess water with a cloth if need be. Then apply the tanner to the applicator (or body part) and smooth out almost like you are painting. Start in the center of your shin and work around to your calf in upward strokes (from just above your ankle toward your knee) until all of the product is blended together with your skin. Then taper remaining lightly over your foot. If there are any spots that look wet, use your applicator to blend them in until it is all absorbed. All areas should be blended well into one solid color. Apply additional product to any lighter areas (which are probably missed spots) and blend in any darker areas (which are probably spots with too much product in one area).

Next, move to your thigh. Apply (in the same way as above) to the front and back of your thigh area. Then taper remaining lightly over the front and back of your knee (while bending) - tapering further into the top of your calf. Use these same tips on whatever body part you would like to tan.

Use the tanner approximately 2 to 5 consecutive nights the first week to build your own custom sunless tan. Thereafter, simply use the tanner for maintenance (1-3 times per week or as desired). Adjust the application amounts and frequency according to your preference.

NOTE: When showering the following morning, you will notice a small amount of coloration in the water - you are not washing away your tan. This color pigment is a great tool used to guide the product on in a “streak-free” manner.  For most products on the market, the color guide is not a stain or dye and is removable when washed. If you notice a larger amount of coloration in the water when you shower, you are probably putting on too thick of a coat at one time. Not a problem, but it works better when thin coats are applied. Since the guide coat is removable, some may rub off onto your sheets at night. This can be avoided by wearing loose pajamas when going to bed. Don’t wash off the color guide until the following morning.

Don’t forget to apply a moisturizing body lotion in between applications to extend the life of your tan. (As recommended in Part 1, a shea butter or cocoa butter lotion is best or any you might have handy… provided it does not contain alpha hydroxy acid)

Additional tips for your Feet and Hands:
The same suggestions apply for the feet and the hands. Apply approximately one small drop to the moistened applicator. Start in the center of the top of your hand or foot and apply the product (with the applicator or hand) in a circular motion until just about all of the product is absorbed in the center. Then use the applicator (or hand) and taper the edges of the product down and around the fingers and toes. Avoid applying large amounts of the product directly to the fingers and toes.

Additional tips for your Face:
Exfoliate gently for best results.  Apply morning or night after bathing or cleansing your face.  Dampen a flocked facial sponge with a little water and apply the product directly onto it (or you may use your finger tips). Blend in clockwise motions to ensure absorption.  Taper the edges of the product outward toward your hair line and ears.  Avoid applying a thick coat around the hair line.  It will look more natural when the product is applied very lightly around the hair line, ears, neck etc.  Apply a small amount at first to see how dark your tan will be.

Well there you have it.  Long but thorough.  Learn these simply techniques and you will be a pro in no time.  So go ahead, step into the world of sunless tanning.  You’ll be glad you did.  You will truly get the best of both worlds.  A great looking tan without the damage that the Sun or tanning beds can cause.

Lynn Hopkins is co-founder of Spa Sentiments, owner and distributor of MyTan Sunless Lotion - designed for the face and body.  MyTan contains a special, water soluble “color guide” to help eliminate streaking and provide even application.  Learn more about MyTan, sugar scrubs and other professional spa treatments you can use at home by visiting Spa Sentiments online: www.spasentiments.com

You keep hearing it everywhere you turn…. the sun is bad for your skin, tanning beds are bad for your skin too, but you want to look tan right?  So you break down and try a sunless tanning lotion thinking you’ll have the best of both worlds… a beautiful, golden tan without the skin damage associated with the sun or beds.

You pop open the bottle, slather some on and wait a couple of hours for your bahama mamma tan to appear.  Ouch, what’s with those streaks?  A few days later your skin starts looking a bit strange with patches of white skin mixed with patches of tan skin.  You’ve just encountered the dreaded blotchy skin syndrome.  Blotchy skin, you say…. what’s that all about?

Just when it appears hopeless and you’ve wasted your $30 bucks on sunless lotion, alas - there is hope and you CAN have a beautiful sunless tan straight from the bottle.

First, let’s talk about why you have those streaks.  You thought you worked so hard at applying the lotion.  What gives?

Well, streaks occur and are formed during the application phase and are usually caused directly from one of two things.  One:  Streaks appear when you have missed applying the sunless lotion to an area of your skin.  Some areas get tanned and others simply do not.  And two:  You may have reached all areas, but some places may have a “heavier” coat of the lotion than others.  Okay there is a possible third:  You have accidentally splashed small droplets of water onto your skin while washing your hands.  There may be a few other reasons too, but this pretty much covers the main culprits.

So what can you do about streaks?  First and most importantly, you want to buy a sunless tanning lotion that contains a “color guide”.  A color guide isn’t the main ingredient that gives you your sunless tan.  Although, it can provide an instant illusion of temporary color.  A color guide is simply a dark coloring added to the tanner so that you can see where you apply.  Hmmm…. what a great idea!  If you can see where you are applying the lotion, you are much less likely to miss a spot!  Check your sunless tanner to be sure that the color guide is water soluble and NOT a stain.  Most on the market these days are not stains, but it never hurts to ask.

In part 2 of this series, we will walk through a perfect sunless application step by step.  You may not need every detailed step, but you are sure to pick up some helpful tips anyway.

Now, for the blotchiness issue.  Blotchiness occurs when your sunless tan starts to wear off.  Since sunless tanners only tan the outer part of the skin, it only makes sense that when your dead skin starts flaking off that it takes your sunless tan with it.  Applying more lotion to skin already coming off will simply not work.

Dead skin flakes off the body little by little every day.  It’s a perfectly normal process.  One that you don’t really even notice…… unless you have a sunless tan.  In this case, it would be great if all your dead skin fell off at the same time.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite happen like that.  Instead, it comes off bit by bit taking your beautiful tan with it.

The aftermath can be quite shocking especially to a first time tanner.  It can leave you thinking that something has gone terribly wrong.  Actually, it can be prevented.  Yes, you heard me right.

The absolute best way to prevent blotchiness from occurring is to exfoliate.  Some will argue that exfoliating with soap and a wash cloth are enough and maybe it is for a handful of those blessed with moisture laden skin.  For the rest of us, exfoliation by itself is not enough.  If your skin is dry it will accelerate the flaking process… which in turn helps lead to blotchiness.  With just a little preparation you can stop this cycle and enjoy a great sunless tan without all the hassle.

For the best results, hands down - try exfoliating with a sugar scrub that is made with pure essential oils like sweet almond oil.  Not only will the scrub remove the dead skin, the natural oils will help form a moisture barrier that will prep your skin for a much smoother application.  Do this 2 to 4 times per week depending on how quickly your skin sheds.  And always rinse off with cool water and pat your skin dry - don’t rub it.  You’ll want to leave the beneficial oils behind on your skin where they can help fight the “blotchies”.

Another important tip to note is to use a moisturizing lotion in between your sunless lotion applications, but be sure to use one without any type of alpha hydroxy acids.  Body lotions that contain these kinds of acids can interfere with the actual tanning process of your suless lotion.  The best ones to use are the ones loaded with gentle yet highly moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter and cocoa butter.

Well, there you have it.  The underlying reasons for sunless tanning streaks and blotchy skin and some simply ways to avoid them while truly enjoying your tan from a bottle.

In part 2, we will talk about how sunless tanners work and how to apply your sunless lotion step by step for the best application you’ve ever had.

Lynn Hopkins is co-founder of Spa Sentiments, owner and distributor of MyTan Sunless Lotion - designed for the face and body.  MyTan contains a special, water soluble “color guide” to help eliminate streaking and provide even application.  Learn more about MyTan, sugar scrubs and other professional spa treatments you can use at home by visiting Spa Sentiments online: www.spasentiments.com