Tips for Natural Appearing Sunless Tan

Dr. Matthew Molenda from Bravia Dermatology (braviaderm.com) believes your natural skin color looks best, but not everyone shares that point of view.  For special events like weddings, spring break, prom, or tropical vacations many patients express the desire to have a tan.

The safest way to have an appearance of a tan is without any exposure to UV light.  That means no tanning beds, sun lamps, or laying out in the sun. Sunless tanners containing dihydroxyacetone can give the skin a natural “sun tanned” appearance when used correctly and when the skin is prepared.

Here are Dr. Molenda’s tips for a natural appearing sunless tan:

1. Exfoliate the skin before starting.  This prevents the sunless tanning agents from building up on dead skin cells that can appear darker, or streaky after they shed off.
2. Apply to freshly cleaned skin.  Moisturizers or even natural skin oils can lead to a streaky appearance.   
3. Apply with a circular motion to avoid streaking.  
4. Apply to elbows, kness, knuckles, ankles, and toes last.   These areas typically have thicker skin and more “dead” skin cells, so they more readily absorb the sunless tanner.
5. Apply at night, at least one night before you want to look tanned.  
6. Don't get wet. Do not shower, swim, moisturize or apply sunscreens for at least 6-8 hours to avoid streaking.  For dry skin, consider a sunless tanning lotion or product that has moisturizers in it.  
7. Build the tan slowly for a more natural appearance.  Use a lower concentration of Dihydroxyacetone (DHA).  Most drug store varieties range from 1-5%.  
8. Wear gloves if applying yourself.  The palms of your hands tend to absorb a lot of the DHA, and they can look dirty or orange.  If you don’t wear gloves, wash your hands well immediately after applying.

Cautions:

• Some sunless tanning products are flammable.
• Sunless tans, like UV-induced tans*, do not provide significant sun protection.  Sunscreen is still very important to avoid burning.
• Dr. Molenda recommends avoiding sunless tanning if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, especially aerosol sunless tanners.

Remember that the safest approach is to be comfortable with your natural skin color, but sunless tanning is the next best option!  

_{*“Base tans” through UV exposure actually provide very little protection.  Protection with a base tan is a myth.}