What are Some Safe Alternatives to Tanning Beds?

It is no secret that tanning beds are bad for your skin. Their harmful UV rays contribute to premature aging as well as various types of skin cancer. For some people, though, the desire for a bronze glow outweighs the dangers that they may encounter. So if you are determined to get a tan, are there any methods that are safe? Is it possible to get a tan that looks natural, is healthy and does not carry the risks of being exposed to direct UV rays as you would in a tanning bed? The short answer is yes, it is possible. The long answer, though, will help you find the method that is right for you.

Natural Sun Tanning

You hit the beach or lay out in your back yard, soaking up the sun's rays. Hey, you may argue, the sun triggers vitamin D synthesis in the skin which helps our bodies in a variety of ways, including the ability to process bone building calcium. This is true, but this fact does not make sunshine a healthy alternative to tanning beds. Sun light carries harmful UV rays just as tanning beds do. By exposing your skin to natural sunlight, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to skin cancer, premature aging of the skin and other skin problems. Although it is believed that UV ray exposure in a tanning bed can be as much as ten times more than exposure from the sun, the risk is still there. Don’t take chances, wear sunscreen and try a healthier alternative to tanning.

Air Brush Tanning

Airbrush tanning is fast (usually applied in about ten minutes), easy, even and natural looking. In fact, this tanning method is often considered to be the most natural looking of the sunless tanning methods. With airbrush tanning, a technician applies the tan using a compressor and an airbrush. They have control over the tanning process and can use lighter application over problem areas such as elbows, knees and blemishes which tend to absorb more color than the skin surrounding them. This leaves a tan that is streak free, even and natural looking because it can be taken all the way to the hairline.

Sunless Tanning Lotions and Sprays

Sunless tanning lotions and sprays have come a long way from their orange tinted ancestors. Today's sunless tanning products provide a natural tan in a form that is sometimes tinted which makes even application that much easier. The downside is that if you are not careful, you can wind up with dark ankles, streaks on your feet, white hands and other unattractive mishaps that come from faulty application. Some of the sprays and mists do offer a better chance at an even coverage, but these products can run and cause streaks. However, this is the most cost effective method and if you apply the product per the manufacturer's instructions, you should be OK. It may help to have someone assist you for hard to reach areas such as your back.

Tanning Pills

There are three types of tanning pills: caretenoid pills, tyrosine pills and others that seem to have nothing substantial except for some fancy sounding vitamins and herbs. Caretenoid pills contain a substance that causes carrots to be orange and shrimp to be pink. When taken internally, the pigment is absorbed by the tissues, causing the skin to appear tanned. However, this type of supplement has been banned in the United States because it has been determined that the amount that must be taken in order to achieve a tan is dangerous. They can also cause uneven pigmentation and even damage your vision. Tyrosine pills are passed off as tanning activators. The bottom line here is that tanning pills are not only ineffective scams but are actually potentially dangerous. Your best bet is to steer clear of them altogether and opt for safer tanning methods.

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