How to Tan

There may be no other activity in the world that has suffered such a precipitous downfall in acceptability as tanning has over the last two decades. A golden tan used to radiate health, fitness and sexuality but now, all many see is an increased chance of skin cancer and other unwelcome diseases. This hasn't stopped millions of people from seeking out the ultimate bronze look, but it has pushed many of these folks to the fringes of society, much like smoking did for the prior generation.

While a truly "healthy" tan is a matter for great debate, here are a handful of precious tips you can keep in mind the next time you lay out in the sun.

Proper Prep
Skin Care is Key
Natural Tanning Accelerators
A Word of Caution

Proper Prep

If you are headed out for a day in a tanning bed or a day at the beach, you will get a much better tan if you prep your body properly. Exfoliate over every inch you plan on tanning. By removing dead skin, you are allowing the tanning process to happen much more evenly. It will also help your overall tan if you engage in a bit of hair removal before you tan. Don't forget to include places like your elbow, where you traditionally wouldn't think of hair removal. This helps your body get an even and beautiful tan from head to toe.

Skin Care is Key

As beautiful as you may now be with your new tan, it won't stay that way unless you take care of your skin. Tanning dries your skin out like nothing else, so make sure you have a big bottle of moisturizer that you keep near you at all times.

Better yet, there are natural ingredients that help nurture and sooth your skin, as well as keep its new bronze tone longer! Fresh milk and carrot juice is what you want. Don't just drink it (you can do that too), but apply it on your tanned skin.

Also, you do need to continue to exfoliate while you are tanned. Simply be a bit more gentle than you would be otherwise and use small, circular patterns across your body to remove dead skin cells.

Natural Tanning Accelerators

Certain ingredients have a compound called psoralen, which accelerates tanning. An increased consumption of such food sources during your tanning endeavours not only helps you get a better and faster tan, but it also makes you less sensitive to the sun!

The food richest in psoralen is figs, celery, pear, parsley and carrots.

A Word of Caution

Check Your Meds

A number of commonly used medications require you to stay out of the sun for extended periods of time or they may cease to work. This applies mostly to blood pressure medications as well as some antibiotics or medications prescribed for pre-existing skin problems like eczema. You can find a list of photosensitizing drugs online or you can call your doctor before you head out for the day. These drugs usually only have a bad reaction with direct sun contact for more than 20 minutes at a time, so if you are simply walking to the corner store or getting your mail, you have nothing to worry about.

Time is NOT on Your Side

No matter what kind of tanning you are up to, you must keep an eye on the clock. Chances are, you'll be using a tanning lotion of some kind. Many of these lotions contain accelerators that help you tan quicker than you would otherwise. Read the directions for whatever product you use so that you don't burn. Sun burns can increase your chances of skin cancer and other health problems, and whatever you do, don't fall asleep, you will be in a whole new world of pain if you do.