tannnnnnnnning?

Question

how can you keep a tan longer without that fake stuff. im talking about like going to the beach and tanning bed. but is there anything i can do to keep it longer and darker

Answer 1

Here's where to start:

EXFOLIATE. The secret to retaining that even, natural-looking tan? Smooth skin. As your sun-baked bod dries and peels, your tan will start to appear uneven and leathery. To avoid the lizard look, exfoliate at least once a week -- using a gentle body scrub -- so that dead skin can be removed uniformly, allowing fresh, plump cells to surface. A cheap, easy way to do it yourself: Mix natural oatmeal ( 1/3 cup) with sea salt (1 1/2 tablespoons), then add a few drops of almond oil and enough water to make a paste. Apply in circular movements, keeping the pressure light and avoiding sunburned areas. For a store-bought option, try Clinique's Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliator ($18.50, www.clinique.com); it contains refreshing menthol and grapefruit to promote dead skin elimination. In a pinch, a loofah mitt with a citrus-based body wash works well, too. For the face, gently rub skin with the fruity part of a fresh pineapple slice or with a cotton pad saturated with pineapple juice (let it set for a few minutes, then rinse). Pineapple's bromelain enzyme willdissolve the top layer of dead cells.

HYDRATE. Scorched skin begs for moisture replenishment -- an essential step after exfoliation. To soothe and seal in moisture, add lavender, jojoba or olive oil to your favorite lotion (or, apply oil directly to the skin for an intensive treatment). Moisturizing after bathing, while the skin is still damp, increases absorption. Clarins's After Sun Moisturizer ($27, www.clarins.com) helps to hydrate and prolong a tan with key ingredients: Vitamin A, Vitamin E and aloe vera. Creams containing cocoa and shea butter are also effective yet inexpensive emollients. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Concentrated Cream with Vitamin E ($3.80) and Desert Essence Hydrating Shea Butter Body Cream ($8.99) are two great options (both at www.drugstore.com).

ENHANCE. Sad as it may be, all the exfoliating and moisturizing in the world won't keep your tan from eventually disappearing. A self-tanning product can, however, help keep up appearances (next summer, you should try it alone instead of baking). Self-tanners contain DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which reacts with the outer layer of skin to produce a brownish color. For optimal results, exfoliate, shave or wax at least 24 hours before application; this preps the skin for maximum absorption while giving it time to recover from any irritation.

Dry patches soak up too much color, resulting in a splotchy finish, so decide which areas you want to tan and moisturize them about 20 minutes before application. Then, work the self-tanner into the skin evenly, and don't overdo the elbows and knees -- a telltale sign of fake tans, as these areas tend to absorb more chemical and end up looking darker and more orangey.

For novices, it's helpful to use a tinted self-tanner so you can see it while you apply. One good choice: Estee Lauder's Go Bronze Plus Tinted Self Tanner ($27, www.esteelauder.com). Beyond that, products abound, so in addition to price, consider such factors as what depth of color you're after (light, medium or dark), odor (some products smell a bit . . . unpleasant) and texture (some are easier to work into the skin than others). Neutrogena's Sunless Tanning Lotion, Medium ($8.95, www.drugstore.com) deepens a well-established tan, and Laura Mercier's Bronzing Gel is good for those who prefer the feel of a gel to a cream ($30, www.nordstrom.com). Make sure your skin is completely dry before you dress, to prevent the tanner from rubbing off and staining your clothes. And remember that even fake tans fade -- so be prepared to repeat the process.

Answer 2

I've seen stuff to make your tan last longer. In fact I had some one year. Couldn't really tell if it worked, it was just like a moisturizer. Won't hurt to try it if you can find some. Think the tanning salons sell stuff like that.

Answer 3

I use ARBONNE and they have an entire line called BefoRE Sun and they have a tan enhancer which is really good .... it moisturizes your skin giving it elements for anti aging also, and it makes your tan stay for a real long time.... they have a made in the shade tanner for rainny days and it also works good as well as the hair protectant..... i buy them on line at: http://arbonnepuertorico.myarbonne.com under shop online !!!

Answer 4

they have now this lotion that isn't supposed to be like the fake tanning lotion. It is a lotion that the more you use it the darker your skin gets. Now it will only get like a two shades darker, but when you are pasty white.....Anything helps! =)

Answer 5

Hmmmmmmmm. I dont know....I am wondering that too, I get pretty dark at the beach but I wish it would stay longer

Answer 6

exfoliate every other day. when you go in the sun use a sunscreen that protects. keep the skin moist, but really keep the time limited otherwise you'll regret it when you either have skin cancer or wrinkles.

Answer 7

just keep your skin well moistuirised

Answer 8

are you just begging for skin cancer?