Extending That Golden Tan
Before-Care And After-Care Essentials
by Scott Eric Barrett
Since tanners are concerned about the health of their skin now more than ever, today's tanning regimen requires a greater degree of commitment than simply applying lotion and lying in a bed. To achieve a healthy-looking tan, it is vital that health-conscious individuals follow a program that focuses on skincare before, during and after a tanning salon visit.
To achieve the best, longest-lasting tan possible, tanners must prepare their skin for tanning with shower gels/body washes and use exfoliators at least once a week before they walk through a salon's doors; use a quality lotion during a tanning session; practice proper nutritional habits with a wellrounded diet that includes plenty of antioxidants; and plan a hardcore after-tan campaign that focuses on moisturizers that contain ingredients proven to keep skin hydrated, healthy and happy.
Prep Time
The art of preparing skin to tan isn't a new concept, but proper preparation often isn't a topic of discussion between a salon operator or employee and a customer. Exfoliation at least once a week is a good start. While some tanners believe it strips away a tan, it is not true. Time, stress and environmental issues add pollutants, oils and dirt to skin and make cells stand up like blown shingles on a roof. But, unlike a rooftop, tanners can get rid of the bad stuff by exfoliating. Fresh skin cells are smooth, allowing skin to breathe, function normally and tan faster. But exfoliation is just the beginning of a pre-tanning program.
The first step to the best, longest-lasting tan begins in the shower. Many tanners realize the importance of avoiding dry skin, but they may not follow the best means to keep their skin moisturized. For example, a tanner may use a lotion while tanning and a moisturizer each morning after they shower, but they choose a bar soap as a cleanser, which can be very drying to the skin. Gentle cleansers such as shower gels or body washes protect the skin's natural moisturizers-fatty acids, body oils and emollients that are custom-blended to each individual. Protecting these natural moisturizers is a vital step and a great beginning to a long-lasting tan.
After a nice shower, it's moisturizer time again. This also is the perfect opportunity to use a tanning-accelerator lotion-one that lays down the building blocks skin uses to make melanin. The best time for skin to be given the accelerating raw materials is while it's hydrated, because hydrated skin best receives nutrients in the products. Without enough water, key nutrients get stuck along the way.
Some companies recommend tanners use accelerators up to seven days before they start the tanning process, because it gives the skin plenty of time to absorb key elements such as tyrosine, copper and oxygen, and allows them to penetrate deep enough to do some good. Preparing skin to tan is like training for a big race. The individual who's been working out regularly and getting in shape will undoubtedly run faster than somebody who just shows up race day untrained, unhealthy and unprepared.
The Aftermath
Cosmetic retailers offer moisturizers for old skin, young skin, oily skin, etc., but indoor tanning lotion manufacturers develop blends specifically for skin that will be exposed to UV light. Salons need to offer these products and go out of their way to let customers know they have them.
Salon owners also should paint a clear picture by informing their customers of key facts about the tanning process. A body's natural functions help retain the skin's moisture, but the trick is to lock in moisture from the outside as well.
That is why after-tan products or tanning extenders are critical to the tanning process. A person who has dry skin will tend to have a dull, ashy-looking tone. Using all-natural vitamin- and botanical-rich after-tan products will replenish the skin with the essential moisture, vitamins and nutrients needed to remain hydrated and soft, as well as promote antioxidant activity to counter the effects of free-radical activity-the process responsible for decreased skin elasticity and pliability.
In addition, the moisturizing and replenishing effects of pure vitamins and botanical extracts result in a darker, richer glow to the tan and-because hydrated skin cells exfoliate much slower than dry ones-extend the life of the tan.
Winning Ingredients
Extending the life of a tan would be very difficult if it weren't for the quality ingredients that lotion manufacturers incorporate into their blends. Elements such as L-tyrosine-an amino acid that produces an extra reserve of tyrosine in the skin to assist or stimulate melanin synthesis-are popping up all the time.
Copper is another important ingredient. Every skin cell on the body contains copper. It helps the regeneration of cells and is one of the key raw materials in the production of melanin.
Vitamins and antioxidants are equally important for healthy, hydrated skin. Panthenol, or vitamin B-5, holds more than 40 times its weight in water. Vitamins A, K and F all are excellent for the skin.
Antioxidants are important ingredients in after-tan products because they help soothe the skin and buffer some of the stress from daily environmental factors.
Products with antioxidants help keep the skin looking vibrant, functioning more efficiently and looking more youthful and supple.
Two of the most powerful antioxidants, vitamins C and E, stop free-radical scavenging, deeply moisturize and hydrate skin cells, and reverse photoaging by boosting the skin's collagen production. Encapsulated vitamin C is stored in a capsulated barrier until it is released in the skin. This powerful form of vitamin C helps with skin elasticity and resilience and delivers even more protection from free-radical damage.
Exciting new ingredients continuously are being discovered or created and incorporated into skincare products, so there is a lot to look forward to. As science becomes more sophisticated, we will find new means of delivering ingredients deeper into the skin-where they can work more effectively-as well as potent extracts rich in powerful antioxidants. Revitalizing skin will help tanners maintain the overall health of their skin, which in the end will help tanning results last longer.
Future developments that will benefit tanners include the introduction of enzymes-precursor material to facilitate tanning mechanisms-new antioxidative materials that protect from free-radical activity induced by UV light exposure, and naturally derived DNA-repairing ingredients that may offer continued regeneration of minor damage done at the cellular level.
Other Tricks
Tanners constantly are pursuing faster, darker, longerlasting tans; that's why bronzers are so popular. What about the sunless element, DHA? Some lotion manufacturers are incorporating small doses of it into their products. The reason? DHA allows a little 'cheating' by providing an extra hint of color.
An after-tan product formulated with moisturizers and DHA offers the best of both worlds, as it helps keep skin hydrated and smooth, plus delivers continuous color to keep the tan from fading. Tan extenders with DHA are great for tanners to maintain color if they are going away on a trip and won't be able to tan, or for beginning tanners with lighter skin who want to see results immediately.
Manufacturers opposed to including DHA in their UV-tanning products argue that DHA does nothing to extend the life of a natural tan. DHA is not fool-proof and sometimes presents uneven results, especially if applied carefree and not as part of a sunless tanning regimen.
That is why users must carefully apply and take the proper steps to clean hands after application. It's also important to rub into skin as smoothly as possible to prevent excess darkness around elbows, ankles, knees, etc.-something tanners aren't accustomed to when applying a daily moisturizer.
Proper diet also is a must to maximize the life of a tan.
Tanners need to enhance their natural body functions to maintain a deeper tan, which can be achieved by eating a well-balanced diet supplemented by a multivitamin and plenty of water.
Tanning customers are becoming more aware of the importance of proper tanning and skincare for maximum and longer-lasting tanning results. However, awareness has been focused primarily on lotion use during the tanning process. Tanners need to be educated more about pre- and after-tanning products and maintenance to extend the life of a tan and achieve sensational tanning results. Most tanning customers may think the salon professional only is attempting to upsell these products, which is why education is so important.
Tanners spend a lot of time and money developing tanning results. By following a complete tanning regimen, including using shower gels/body washes every day, choosing a quality lotion during a tanning session and being dedicated to a moisturizing after-tan campaign, tanners will achieve longer-lasting color and healthier-looking skin.