Tanning 101: Sun Tan Lotions, Self Tanning Lotions and More

Tanning and Globalization

The term “tanning” comes from the word “tan”, more specifically from the color tan. Tanning came from Europe and other predominantly Caucasian continents wherein it is often more fashionable for an individual to be less pale and more “bronzed”.

The process of tanning can be as simple as exposing oneself to the sun for long periods of time.  Initially, baby lotion was used as a catalyst for tanning and then came sun blocks and sunscreens, which allow for a faster, more even tan and a longer exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun without getting sunburned. And then, the tanning lotion and tanning implements, which not only aided but stimulated the tanning of the skin.

Like everything nowadays, people face the problem of having too many options instead of having little or no option whatsoever. This is also true when it comes to skin tone and how to go about toning and tanning the skin. A  consumer now has the option of using a sun block, sunscreen, tanning lotion, tanning bed tanning lotions, sun tan lotions, self tanning lotions, sunless tanning lotion, tanning spray and many other tanning implements. All with the sole purpose of turning a pale white complexion into a bronzed beach body color often associated with health and the outdoors.

First, let us discuss the difference between a sunscreen and sun block as opposed to a tanning lotion. The former when applied to the skin filters UV rays harmful to the body or totally blocks those rays in order for a person to go outdoors without the risk of skin cancer, while the tanning lotion works by inducing the skin to produce more melanin thru the mixture of different ingredients. The most popular or well known ingredients being  natural oils, copper, tea oil, tea tree oil, green tea oil or extract, etc.

This article endeavors to discuss several of the more popular tanning options available in the market today, their pros and cons and other general information helpful to a consumer.

First is the tanning bed tanning lotion: For this method, a contraption resembling a bed is used and a tanning lotion is applied while you are inside the device and immediately thereafter. The tanning bed is a generally a large device, which can house a human body or at least a majority of it in a lying down position. A variation of this is an apparatus, which allows tanning in an upright position.

The tanning bed emits ultraviolet radiation to darken skin tone for cosmetic effect by emitting UV rays that mimic the sun. These UV rays become a catalyst for the production of melanin, which in turn produces a tan. The UV rays are emitted thru fluorescent bulbs that contain phosphor. The wattage of the lamps vary depending on the type of machine used, number of fluorescent lamps used, and the type of tan the consumer wants to achieve. The tanning lotion is applied in order to activate further the melanin that is contained in the skin while also moisturizing the skin to create a smoother, softer and toner skin. Tanning bed tanning lotion, when combined and worked together creates a faster and more cosmetically pleasing tan.

Sun tan lotions: This type of lotion allows the consumer to apply a tanning lotion and still be able to go outdoors. This is because sun tan lotions contain sunscreen that protects the user from harmful UV rays emitted by the sun while allowing good UV rays that produce melanin in the skin to penetrate.

Self tanning lotions: This is where it gets a bit tricky. Self tanning lotions contain “bronzers” like Dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This ingredient, when combined with other bronzing agents speeds up the tanning process. In most cases, they also maintain some level of UV protection.  In other words, this type of tanning option allows for a faster tanning process and allows you the freedom to go outdoors

Sunless tanning lotion: This option is similar to the self tanning lotions minus the UV protection. Indeed, all sunless tanning lotions will contain a warning, discouraging the consumer to go out into the sun, if not totally prohibit the practice. This type of tanning lotion works by activating the melanin producing cells in an individual.

It is also very important to determine whether the consumer would be more comfortable using organic, natural or the synthetic type of tanning lotion or implement. While the first two are considerably more expensive than the last, some consumers would not mind since organic and natural tanning lotions are more nature friendly and often less irritating than a synthetic type.

In closing, a consumer has a lot of choices, there are a lot of pros and cons in preferring one type over the other. But one thing remains constant, a consumer must carefully research what he or she is purchasing, read the directions and the ingredients to make sure that he or she is using it the right way and that the product contains no harmful ingredients or those ingredients that cause irritation or allergic reactions. It would also be wise for a consumer to consult a physician before using tanning implements.