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Streaks Be Gone

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The last thing you want after you get a spray tan is streaks galore. So, what’s the best way to get that even tan you’re looking for? Your Knoxville Dermatology team can help you get the best looking faux tan that will boost your confidence and have your friends thinking you just returned from the shore.

First things first, when selecting your self-tanning products, pick a high quality lotion or tanner. This will reduce the likelihood of inconsistent coloring. Go for brands you recognize and read the labels. Once you’ve got your lotion, it’s time to tan!

Exfoliate before application to remove any dead skin cells. This helps prevent blotching and uneven coloration. It also opens up your pores, allowing for better saturation. Grab your application mitts and lather on evenly. Once you’ve applied the lotion, wait at least 6 to 8 hours for your tan to fully develop before you shower, bathe, swim or sweat. Then once a week, exfoliate again so your “tan” fades evenly. These simple, easy steps will keep you streak-free and give you a tan worth showing off any time of year!

If you have any questions about what self-tanner to use or changes in your skin, please call us today at 865-690-9467. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.

Tanning Facts – Bottle, Bed or Sun (Part 1)

It’s hard not to associate summer with sunshine and tanning. We all covet that “healthy glow”, but what measures are we willing to take to get it? To make things easier for the tan-lovers out there, your Knoxville Dermatology team put together the facts about bottle, bed and sun tanning. In this entry, we’ll talk about a tan in a bottle or sunless tanning.

Bottle:

Coppertone® started the wave of sunless tanning options in 1960 with their QT® or Quick Tanning lotion. We’ve seen several versions of the pour-on tan ranging in colors as unnatural as orange to a subtle golden honey color. Now the sunless tanning options extend into tanning accelerators and pills.

The most effect alternative to sunbathing is self-tanning lotions that contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient. This colorless sugar interacts with your dead skin cells to change their color. This color change lasts about five to seven days.

While the topical sunless tanning lotions are considered safe alternatives to sunbathing, the FDA hasn’t approved the use of DHA for application to areas near your eyes, mouth or nose so be sure to avoid these areas. Bronzers, whether in powder or moisturizer-form, allow you to add color to those areas while still being safe for your skin. Spray tans are harder to monitor but protect your eyes with tanning goggles and hold your breath while the spray is being applied.

Tanning accelerators and tanning pills have yet to receive scientific data to support the claim of aiding melanin formation so it’s best to play it safe with these sunless tanning options.

Regardless of what sunless product you use, it is important to apply sunscreen daily. Even if the product contains a sunscreen, it won’t be of much help since they lose their efficacy within hours of application.

For more information on sunless tanners, call us at 865-690-9467. If you want help with your self-tanning lotions, click here for tips on application and maintenance.