Get The Perfect Tan

Spring is finally here. And after enduring a long and rigorous winter, your skin is dry and your complexion is less than glowing. Unlike women, you can't use makeup to hide winter's wrath on your face. So why not take matters into your own hands and fake a great tan? Sure, nothing beats a natural tan; geography and time, however, can make this a daunting task. I've therefore boiled down the alternatives to baking in the sun, so that you can discover how to get the ultimate tan in three easy steps.

1- Visit a tanning salon
Before proceeding, it is important to note that there are health risks associated with UV radiation from the sun, and that the potentially harmful effects of tanning beds are no different. Tanning salons expose users to obvious health concerns and the possibility of burning and drying the skin if overexposed.

But on a more positive note, tanning salons can help attain the base for a perfect tan even if used infrequently, and when paired with a good sunless tanning product, they're gold.

It is essential to visit a reputable salon that offers a hygienic environment (by cleaning its tanning beds with germicides) and a well-informed staff. Make use of the employees' training by asking about exposure times and how to select the best machine for your skin tone. Don't ever hesitate to voice your concerns -- it's up to you to become further informed about making the most of your tanning salon experience.

Here are some points to keep in mind when using tanning beds:

Men's sunless tanning products require some training when it comes to the application process. Follow these steps for best results:

1. Test the product on an unexposed area, like your inner wrists, to see how your skin reacts to it.

2. Wash and exfoliate your face and body thoroughly before applying the product (so as to wash away any dead skin, which can make the tan uneven and blotchy). Concentrate on areas that are prone to excessive dryness like your joints (elbows, ankles and knees).

3. Once your face and body are dry, apply the product. On your face, apply it only to the upper cheeks, forehead and nose, which will mimic the effect of a natural tan. (Note: Any application of a self-tanner to your beard area can result in an uneven, fake-looking tan because skin pigments are deeper in that area.) On your body, apply the self-tanner by rubbing it onto your skin in circular motions (rather than up and down) and use less tanner on your joints. Depending on the product, you may have to re-apply several times during the first day of use in order to see a difference.

4. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after use (self-tanners can stain your clothing and can also show up on your hands, resulting in blotchiness), or better yet, use latex gloves when applying the product.

5. Don't get dressed for at least 15 minutes after applying the product.

An inexpensive product from a local pharmacy may be just as good as those offered in upper scale retail outlets and specialty stores. You may want to try several products to see which one works best with your own skin and coloring; in this case, it is about trial and error. A patch test (again, on the inside of your wrists) while you're in the store can be a good indication of expected results.

Products come in a range of color depths, depending on the level of concentration of the active ingredient. It is far more cost-effective to opt for the darkest shade of tanning cream and apply it more sparingly in order to obtain the same results as a lighter shade of the same product.

Self-tanning product suggestions
Neutrogena offers a very natural-looking line of inexpensive products that are hypoallergenic and won't block pores. Its cream is particularly light by comparison to many other brands, and leaves skin looking matte -- a particularly good thing if you're prone to breakouts and/or have an oily complexion.

California North also offers a notable self-tanning product; its Titanium Self Tanner also serves as a minimal sunscreen with an SPF of 7, offering protection from the sun while you reap the rewards of a sunless tan.

A personal favorite is Sea & Ski's "Deep Dark Sunless Self Tanning Lotion." This product is by far one of the most inexpensive and effective on the market, offering the deepest possible tan for about $6 US a tube. Armed with vitamin E oils, its moisturizing effect may tend to make your skin look oily after application, but the long-term results are excellent.

3- Maintain your color
Now that you've been to the tanning salon and found a sunless tanning lotion that works for you, how do you make your tan last? The answers lie in moisturizing and consistent re-application of a self-tanning product.

Moisturize
Moisturizing your skin will keep it looking healthy and hydrated, and helps in the anti-aging process. It's important to moisturize year round, especially when tanned, as it prevents your skin from peeling.

Make sure to moisturize consistently following a trip to the tanning salon; this will serve to prolong your tan. Keep in mind that color obtained from a visit to the tanning salon can be maintained by visiting the salon as little as once a month.

Apply tanning creams
The beauty of sunless tanning products is that they usually double up as moisturizers (it's therefore advisable to alternate between a sunless tanning cream and your favorite moisturizer). Make sure to wash your face twice daily, especially when using such products so as to scrub away any excess residue.

good to go?

So now you have a tan that will turn heads and make every woman wonder about the exotic islands you've visited. Just remember that no matter how amazing and ahead of the seasons you may feel with your fake tan, don't make a habit of wearing white every day to accentuate it.