With the seasons changing and cooler temperatures, I am less likely to be in the sun as much and therefore am going to get ghostly white. So how do I try to keep that natural summer glow? I'm going to say something unpopular here, but that’s ok – people need to hear it. Tanning beds are risky! According to a new a study recently published online in the BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal), 1 in 20 cases of melanoma is due to tanning bed usage.And if you use a tanning bed regularly, your face has a 20% increased risk in skin cancer! The U.S. FDA is thinking about banning it for those under age 18 - currently California has this rule but it varies by state. Needless to say this option is out of the running for me!
So what can you do to get a nice glow without the increased risk of cancer? There are several options!Have you ever tried spray tanning? My friend Chloe goes every once in a while. I asked her about it and she said that before she goes, she has to shower and exfoliate really well to help avoid blotches.At the appointment someone will spray the tan on her and let it dry. To help the tan last longer, it’s advised not to shower for 12 hours. The tan can last from 4-10 days but will last longer if she uses lotion daily.
Total side note – but did you ever see the Friends episode when Ross gets a spray tan?? He gets confused and ends up getting his front side sprayed twice and nothing on his backside. Hilarious!
Another alternative is self tanner. Now, I know in the past these have gotten a bad reputation of making your skin orange and turning your palms brown, but they have come a long way! My favorite is one is the Coppertone Gradual Tan. It’s buildable, meaning the more you put on, the darker you get. You won’t go from white to dark in one day. And it looks really natural. If you really want to get into self tanners, here is a video on YouTube that I recommend: Best & Worst Self Tanners. The vlogger has a review on the best and worst self tanners that she has personally tried.
What have you tried and loved to get a healthy, safe tan? I’m always open to suggestions!