Several medical studies have proved that tanning is beneficial to the human body. The major benefit is the strengthening of the bones. That is, the absorbed ultraviolet radiation activates substances in the skin the much needed vitamin D, and vitamin D is important in making the bones tough.

There is, however, another documented benefit of tanning. Tanning helps the skin protect itself from further exposure to ultraviolet radiation. This was reported in the September 1999 issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. The report was authored by Dr. Barbare A. Gilchrest and Dr. Mark S. Eller. Both worked at the Department of Dermatology at the Boston University School of Medicine.

The journal report stated five important points:

1. The UV radiation produces the protective melanin pigments.

Why are melanin pigments considered protective? The melanin in the skin helps the body expel excess energy from further ultraviolet exposure. The excess energy can cause harm but, with the aid of melanin, this is removed from the body in the form of heat. The melanin can also deactivate the free radicals, which are infamous for their destructive action on the body.

2. Tanned skin prevents UVR injury.

Related to above findings, the authors reported that a tanned skin is less prone to blisters and sunburn. Blisters and sunburns are UVR damages that a skin sustains when the skin can no longer tolerate the UV it receives. A tanned skin has a higher tolerance of UV rays. Thus, having a tanned skin is similar to wearing a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 3-5.

3. Tanning provides photo-protection.

When a person undergoes the tanning process, the stratum corneum layer of his skin is considerably thickened. With this thicker layer, the skin becomes less sensitive to the ultraviolet radiation. Such is called photo-protection. A person with pale white skin may not attain the dark olive color that he desires but his stratum corneum has achieved a certain thickness that gives him photo-protection.

4. Tanning elevates the skin’s repair capacity.

One of the greatest fears of people when they face tanning is the disease called skin cancer. But skin cancer only happens when a person abuses the tanning process. That is, he stays in the tanning bed longer than what is recommended by the manufacturer or the tanning salon professional. Skin cancer happens when too many damaged and abnormal cells are produced. With gradual and responsible tanning, the skin’s capacity to repair itself is actually enhanced. When the skin repairs itself, it gets rid off abnormal cells and fixes damage cells.

5. Both natural tan and acquired tan gives the same skin protection.

All the above-described protection obtained from a tanned skin is not limited to a natural tan. An acquired tanned skin can also provide the same protection.

Does your skin feel dry, excessively oily or lifeless and less than perfect ? The reason for that may not necessarily be aging ... it might just be a lack of the right vitamins in the amounts your skin needs. Vitamins may be essential to great looking skin and lack of vitamins can make the skin look less than perfect. Here is a list of vitamins that may be essential for beautiful and lovely skin.

Vitamin A and beta carotene : Important for adequate growth vision and young cell tissues, this also essential for healthy skin. Too much or too little vitamin A may lead to rough and dry skin.

Natural sources of Vitamin A : Some people opine that vitamin A has no plant sources and carrots and other vegetables contain only beta carotene which the body has to convert to vitamin A. But since the body can convert beta carotene into vitamin A, you may still want to eat carrots and dark green vegetables. Vitamin A is also present in whole milk and butter.

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid : This vitamin plays a great role in healing skin wounds and also helps prevent scurvy. Some people believe vitamin C may actually slow down aging.

Natural sources of vitamin C : Citrus fruits, strawberries, brussel sprouts, melons, cranberry juice and red peppers.

Vitamin D : Considered an antioxidant and an anticarcinogen, vitamin D is produced when the skin is exposed to sun light. Vitamin D is also believed to regulate the growth of skin cells.

Natural sources of vitamin D : The best known source of vitamin D is sun light. 5 to 10 minutes of sun should enable the production of sufficient amounts of vitamin D. However, people with darker skin may require more sunlight. Also, sunscreens may block the skin's ability to produce vitamin D by 95%.

Vitamin E : Since vitamin E is an antioxidant, it prevents damage to the skin caused by free radicals. But that's not all it does - it also helps the bones, muscles, teeth and pancreas retain calcium. It may also help keep the immune system healthy.

Natural sources of vitamin E : Vegetable oil, peanuts, mayonnaise, wheat gram, whole grains, sweet potatoes and sunflower seeds.

The role of vitamins in skin care is possibly underestimated by most people. Vitamins may be essential not just for a healthy body but for maintaining a beautiful complexion as well. And all you may need to do is eat a variety of raw vegetables and fresh fruits everyday ... and get a little sun every now and then :-)

Tanning oil has long been used by sun worshippers and beach bunnies looking for a way to get a dark, even tan. However, there are quite a few myths about tanning oil, and it can be difficult for consumers to sort out the facts from the fiction. There are many people who erroneously believe that tanning oil offers them protection from a sunburn, or that tanning oil makes a tan healthy for your skin. Still other people believe that tanning oil will help them gain a sophisticated bronze glow more quickly than simply lying in the sun. The biggest question about tanning oil is what exactly this product does, and there are few tanning oil users who fully understand the answer.

One thing that tanning oil does not do is protect your skin against a damaging sunburn. The only thing that can stop you from absorbing potentially harmful UV rays is a sun block that will stop UVA and UVB rays from penetrating your skin cells. Unfortunately, this kind of sun block will also stop you from tanning. Tanning oil cannot make it safe for you to get a tan, since there is technically no such thing as a safe tan. Because tanning is your body’s attempt to protect your skin against the sun, your body will only begin to tan after your skin has suffered some damage.

Science tells us that tanning oil doesn’t attract the sun to your skin; allow you to achieve a dark bronze with greater speed than your neighbors; or in any way improve your tanning prowess. However, using tanning oil can enhance the appearance of your tan. The oil softens your skin, creating a supple, attractive physique, and the oil changes the way that your skin reflects light; and can thereby give the illusion of making your tan darker. Many people who yearn for a deep, rich tan do so because they believe that it will make them appear more attractive, and a gentle application of tanning oil can help anyone to achieve this goal.

However, before you use tanning oil or try to get a sun kissed look, consider whether the risks of this beauty option may outweigh the benefits. If you are worried about showing early signs of aging, increasing your vulnerability to skin cancers like melanoma, or causing other kinds of damage to your skin, it may be time to ditch the tanning oil in favor of sun block. Although sun block won’t leave you looking glamorously burnished, it will leave you looking healthy and wrinkle free for years to come.

Americans have been gifted with pearly-white skin but most of them are not contented with this and so they do all things just so they can have beautifully tanned bodies. Some prefer to get their tans in the beach while others who have less time to go out settle for tanning lotions and for tanning beds.

A tanning bed is a device or gadget that is commonly used by tanning salons. It is literally a bed made of Plexiglas and the client lies on the bed while getting his tan from lighting fixtures producing ultraviolet rays that does not only cause tanning but also burning. Most salon owners however claim they have switched to tanning beds that now emit ultra violet lighting that are considered safe. However, there are sectors who claim that while such long wave rays do not cause burning, they can damage a person’s immune system and can result to a condition called malignant melanoma.

Experts however claim that just like the sun’s rays, tanning gadgets that are used indoors are also harmful to the body. The principle behind the tanning process is proof that getting tanned even while indoors also poses a risk to your health. A person gets tanned skin because his skin creates a coloring as a protection against the burning caused by the ultraviolet rays. A person who is regularly exposed to ultra violet rays can be prone to early skin wrinkling and get eye injury. The worse thing that could happen is the possibility of getting skin cancer like basal cell and melanoma

While the emphasis has been place don the possibility of getting skin cancer, a person who frequently uses tanning beds can also put his retina and cornea, both very important eye parts, at risk. It can even cause blindness later on when it is not treated. The damage to these eye parts is even greater when constantly exposed to tanning beds than in direct sunlight.

If you cannot avoid using tanning beds, then you should at least try to protect yourself from getting the possible health hazards by following some safety measures. Remember that when you start the habit of tanning early on in life, you also increase the injury that would be suffered by your skin. To minimize this, always set a timer for yourself when undergoing tanning in a salon. No matter what the salon operator said about your tanning hours, you should always make sure that you are only exposed to the tanning bed for a limited time.

No matter what the salon operator say about the safety of the tanning bed, always wear protective goggles to keep your eyes safe. The wearing of public goggle sin saunas or salon however pose another problem which is eye irritation due to bacteria so make sure the goggles are sanitized before you use them.

Too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation can worsen lupus and diabetes so if you are afflicted with these diseases then you should avoid the use of tanning beds. Since exposure to regular sunlight cannot be totally avoided, it is best to wear SPF or sunscreens. The numbers on the sunscreen indicate the time you can stay under the sun without getting burned.

Despite the dangers attributed to the use of tanning beds, people still buy this product because of the convenience it offers. With a tanning bed, you no longer have to hurry and drive to the salon or to wait for your turn in salon tanning beds. If the usage of this product cannot be avoided, then you should be responsible enough to get as minimal exposure from the ultraviolet rays, whether it is shortwave or long wave.

For many years tanning beds were an easy and quick way to get a tan in the middle of winter or when preparing for a tropical getaway. Today, when doctors claim that tanning beds are as dangerous as the sun itself and can cause skin cancer and premature aging, more and more people stay away from tanning beds. However, there are certain benefits from using a tanning bed, especially when protecting the skin with the proper tanning bed lotion.

Tanning bed lotions are used to moisturize the skin and infuse it with antioxidants that diminish and prevent the damage from UVA and UVB rays.

There are also tanning bed lotions that intensify the tanning process. These lotions contain methyl nicotinate that instantly penetrates and activate your melanin cells for a deeper color. Tan activating tanning lotions can also create a warming tingling sensation on the skin to increase the blood flow to the skin surface and speed up the tan. These tanning lotions moisturize the skin with essential oils and skin nourishing vitamins so that your skin looks bronzed and glowing.

Some tanning bed lotions employ another principle: they cool down the skin with mint and cucumber to prevent burns. Even though tanning bed lotions do not shield from the burn that can lead to the skin cancer, they can make it less heat-sensitive. No tanning bed lotions can deal with photosensitivity, which can be caused by medications you are currently taking.

There are special tanning bed lotions for use around eyes. You should always protect your eyes with special goggles that either clip on your nose or are secured with the ribbon. To further protect the fragile skin around your eyes from UVA/UVB damage, you can use tanning bed lotions with anti-oxidants such as grapefruit extract, vitamin E and even caviar proteins.

After-tan lotions are used to cool down and firm the skin, since too much UVA/UVB exposure can disrupt elastin fibers in the skin leading to wrinkles and sagging. Special herbs, essential oils, vitamins and amino acids in these tanning bed lotions form an invisible nourishing cocoon on the skin surface while repairing and preventing further dehydration. Many people prefer to nourish their after-tan skin with simple extra-virgin olive oil which has excellent anti-aging properties.

Even when you use great multi-purpose tanning bed lotions, make sure you still wear a swimsuit or underwear when tanning. If you want to avoid having those tan lines (which is currently very in fashion, implying that you tan naturally on the tropical beach), wear a bandeau-style bra and thongs to prevent the UVA/UVB rays from hitting the areas that are not accustomed to tanning.

Our indoor lifestyles and sunscreens diminish vitamin D production because the body gets vitamin D from UV light and not from foods. Vitamin D can also be derived from indoor tanning beds. Use a common sense and tan wisely and in moderation, and you will look gorgeous and healthy.

Diabetes and Tanning
If you are undergoing treatment for lupus or diabetes or are susceptible to cold sores, be aware that these conditions can be aggravated through exposure to ultraviolet radiation from tanning devices, sunlamps, or natural sunlight. In addition, your skin may be more sensitive to artificial light or sunlight if you use certain medications, for example, antihistamines, tranquilizers or birth control pills. Your tanning salon may keep a file with information on your medical history, medications, and treatments. Make sure you update it as necessary.

Protecting Yourself
Limit your exposure to avoid sunburn. If you tan with a device, ask whether the manufacturer or the salon staff recommend exposure limits for your skin type. Set a timer on the tanning device that automatically shuts off the lights or somehow signals that you’ve reached your exposure time. Remember that exposure time affects burning and that your age at the time of exposure is important relative to burning.

Knowing your Tanning Lotion
Some suntanning products don't contain sunscreen. It only takes a few bad sunburns to raise the risk of skin cancer, and skin damage builds up over years even when no burning occurs. This is why sunscreen, which blocks UVA and UVB, is recommended. The FDA has expressed concern about suntanning products without sunscreen, and encourages consumers to check the labels for SPF protection.

Sunscreen is regulated by the FDA as an OTC drug. Look for products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more. The higher the number, the better the protection. Sunscreen should be liberally applied to skin 30 minutes before going out in the sun, and then every two hours after that.

Tanning Salons
It's true that most sun lamps emit mainly UVA radiation, and that these so­called "tanning rays" are less likely to cause a sunburn than UVB radiation from sunlight. But, contrary to the claims of some tanning parlors, that doesn't make them safe. UVA rays have a suspected link to malignant melanoma, and, like UVB rays, they also may be linked to immune system damage.

Tanning Safely
We urge you to find out more about self tanning. You can self tan with a Sunless tanning lotion. Sunless tanning lotion is a tanning lotion that gives you that great tan without the dangers of UVA and UVB! Find out more about Self Tanning!

Sunless tanning, like the name suggests, is getting a tan without sun exposure, and still produces an effect similar in appearance to a traditional suntan. This method of tanning does not involve skin pigmentation or UV exposure, which is often dangerous, to set off the change in skin color. Sunless tanning is also often non-toxic and thus, is quite safe. However, tan is temporary and will wear out or fade away within a couple of days.

Sunless tanning products affect the Stratum Corneum, the surface layer of the skin or the outermost layer of the epidermis, while the Stratum Basale, the deepest layer, is affected by tanning under the sun. There is a wide variety of sunless tanning products available on the market today, such as tanning pills, sunless or self-tanners and bronzers, available in the form of gels, lotions, mousses, sprays and wipes. They can be applied at home in private, or professionally in spas, salons, and other health centers.

Many sunless tanning and cosmetic product manufacturers use an active ingredient called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a colorless sugar that interacts with the dead cells located in the stratum corneum of the epidermis, as an active ingredient. This is because a change in skin color occurs when dihydroxyacetone creates a reaction with amino acids in the dead layer of the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that sunless tanning products that contain DHA are the most effective in creating a long-lasting tan.

Erythrulose, a natural based keto-sugar which reacts with the amino acids in the keratin protein on the outer or dead surface layer of the skin, is also often combined with DHA to create a longer lasting sunless tan. However, Erythrulose, like DHA, may cause contact dermatitis, a skin irritation characterized by red, flaky skin, sometimes with cracks or tiny blisters.

Other types of sunless tanning products such as tanning creams, lotions or pills usually contain the amino acid – Tyrosine. It is believed that Tyrosine aids in the stimulation and regeneration of melanin (Melanin is a pigment and the primary determinant of color in human skin). This, if true, greatly affects and accelerates the tanning process so that’s why many sunless tanning products are called tanning accelerators.

Tanning pills also belong to the category of sunless tanning products, and often contain the chemical – Canthaxanthin. The chemical works by depositing and spreading itself all over the body, including in the skin after it’s consumed, taking on an orange-brown color. Canthaxanthin is basically a coloring agent used in foods so the FDA does not approve its use a tanning agent. However, many cosmetic companies continue to use it in large quantities as an active agent in tanning products. It has also been established that continual use of canthaxanthin can cause hepatitis and canthaxanthin retinopathy.

One of the recent additions to sunless tanning remedies is Melanotan, a melanocyte (cells located in the bottom layer of the skin's epidermis) - stimulating hormone. Melanotan works by inducing skin pigment. Although extensively tested in countries like Australia, it has to be yet approved for clinical trials in the USA.

Even if you are unable to find enough time for sun tanning, you need not worry. A host of artificial tanning products are available today to provide you with desired tan color in comparatively lesser time. For many of the fashion freaks, tanning has become an order of the day and they have been found to be possessing strong fetish for tan color.

There are various types of tanning products available in the market. You can choose products as per your convenience and comfort. You should also check these products against sensitivity of your skin. Make sure you do not overuse any of these products as they may affect your skin adversely. In fact be on the safer side and stick to the products whose efficacy has been proven in the market.

You can use most of these products on your own. However, there are certain products that are safer for commercial salons only. These different tanning products act differently to give you a tan color. Some of the commonly used tanning products and equipments are as follows:

Tanning Beds: They are high in demand for personal as well as commercial use. Salon tanning beds are a bit more sophisticated than home use tanning beds. Basically these professional beds are free of casting any harmful effect on your skin.

Tanning Sprayers: It is another product in which harmless color is sprinkled on your body to give you tan color. But, this tan doesn't last for long.

Body Tan Lotions: These lotions could even be used while you are under sun as it is meant to serve two functions. It helps you get sun-tan in lesser time and also in the absence of sun, you get a desired tan. Most of these lotions are based on SPF formula. These lotions protect you from excessive UV exposure.

Pills For Tanning: These pills stimulate melanin producing function of the body as melanin helps attain tan color. However, it's not a successful product as it may result in severe side effects. Tanning pills are not recommended by FDA.

Face Tanners: These are the tanning creams prepared with highly risk free formulas.

Bronzers: They provide temporary tan color. They are available as gels, powders as well as lotions. They must be applied on skin, free of any cosmetic product.

Apart from above mentioned products, there could be other products like tanning promoters and accelerators. In fact every day, a new product comes on the block to offer you easy tanning. However you must not fall prey to these promises, instead confirm their efficacy before making a purchase.

If you haven’t noticed the summer is already here. Surprisingly, you don’t have to wait for the summer for endless beach hours beating down on the sun rays. Sunless tanning also known as the indoor tanning is more popular and easy than ever and it is much safer than sun tanning. Here are 10 tips for sunless tanning:

1. Airbrush tanning – Airbrush tanning is a new an emerging sunless tanning method. Using a clear liquid containing called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), you can get a golden tanned look for five to ten days. The ingredients of the airbrush tanning lotion are FDA approved and are considered safer than coomercial tanning beds.

2. Tanning beds – Tanning beds and tanning booths actually imitate the sun. Tanning bed lamps use UV-B and UV-C rays to achieve the optimal tanning results. However, tanning bed lamps do not use UV-A rays which are considered harmful.

You will feel the tanning beds results after a couple of weeks.

You may go to a professional tanning salon and get the golden look at one of the commercial tanning beds (Wolff tanning beds are the best ones) or get your own home tanning bed. You can get a discount tanning bed in one the wholesale home tanning beds shops. Yet, you must realize that maintaining a tanning bed is an expensive task – you will have to purchase tanning bed products like tanning bed lotions and tanning bed bulbs.

3. Tanning lotions – There is a wide variety of sunless tanning lotions. They are definitely the cheapest sunless tanning method. Nothing is easier than buying discount tanning lotions. However. Most of them have uncertain efficiency. In most cases, the tanning lotions are made of vitamins, minerals and herbal ingredients.

You may choose either one of the above sunless tanning methods. There is no reason for sun tanning nowadays. It takes too long and it is too risky.

These are some of the best and most popular tanning lotions available on the market.

Supre Cafe Bronzer: This dark tanning maximizer is from Supre, a two-in-one formula combining dark tan maximizers with self-tanning bronzers. Café Bronzer is formulated from a special blend of coffee bean extracts, Vitamin E and C, with Supre’s own Skin Stimulation System and Biotan technology to help stimulate micro-circulation for maximum tanning results, and Skin Recovery System to help stimulate skin recovery from UV exposure. The lotion is specially designed for "Advanced Tanners", and costs around $40.

Pro Tan Sunny Day Self Tanner: This product contains ingredients such as aloe vera gel, soybean oil, vitamin A, Vitamin E, kola and green tea extract, red clover and green tea extract etc, and is designed to even out, deepen and prolong existing tan. It costs about $14.

St. Tropez Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion: This aloe vera based lotion is non-greasy, non-streaking and quick drying, which intensifies over 3 hours. The lotion is claimed to actually hide stretch marks, varicose veins, and vitiligo, which can be custom blended with St. Tropez Body Moisturizer to your own desired shade. The Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion costs around $30.

Jan Tana Maximum Tan Accelerator Lotion: In order to a quick, deep dark tan, this Tan Accelerator combines three accelerators to create triple action tanning. It also contains moisturizers, vitamins and collagen to nourish the skin and help prevent premature aging. Originally formulated for indoor use but can be used outdoor with a base tan. The product costs around $35.

Forman Tanning Lotion: A product from John Abate, this tingling maximizer is created and scented exclusively for men, and users with established base tans. The light tingling and/or subtle sensation or flush, that may be experienced while using the product, indicates an improvement in skin microcirculation and cell oxygenation-essentials to achieving a great tan. Forman costs around $20.

Tan Accelerating Lotion: This is a product from Body Drench combines tan development moisturizing, and is formulated with ingredients such as Unipertan V-24 to provide essential nutrients for optimum tanning while it binds moisture to promote elasticity and fight aging. It costs around $25.

Thalgo Self-Tanning Scintillating Lotion: This contains iridescent pigments to illuminate the skin, and tanning agent (DHA) Erythrulose which unifies and prolongs tan. Its subtle tanning effect is best for fair to medium skin types, designed to maintain a natural, golden complexion. The manufacturer recommends exfoliating before using the product.

The Scintillating Lotion costs around $35.

Black Onyx: Manufactured by Power Tan, the Black Onyx is formulated from a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ivy and licorice extracts for a reddening effect that helps speed delivery of nutrients to the skin. The oil-free formula also contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Pycnogenol, and Aloe Vera to combat aging. Other ingredients include Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Menthol help cool your body and neutralize body odor. It costs around $40.

Lavera Self Tanning Lotion: Formulated from certified organic extracts and essential oils such as organic Jojoba oil, Aloe vera, Rose and Lavender waters, and anti-aging Green tea extract, this tanning lotion contains ingredients such as DHA and Erythrulose, and no harmful artificial ingredients or chemicals. The Self Tanning Lotion costs around $25.

Airbrush Tanning is a form of sunless tanning in which tanning liquid like those containing dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is applied to the body using an airbrush or spray. With the increase in this method of tanning, there are now numerous airbrush tanning products and systems available on the market. Here are some of them.

Jet Tan Airbrush Tanning Trio: This airbrush tanning system features a tanning solution, an instant tanner for the face and a barrier cream. The tanning solution includes an instant bronzer that dries in 5-10 minutes and a self-tanning ingredient that reacts with the amino acids to develop a natural tan in about 3-4 hours. The instant Tanner and Bronzer for the Face is designed specifically to instantly give the face a golden bronze look, and the Barrier Cream is to prevent over-browning/over-tanning in color-prone area. The Tanning Trio is available for $17.

Salon Airbrush System: A product from Key West Rayz, this is a commercial single-piston unit portable compressor for general airbrushing work, which is oil-less operated. It features an automatic shutoff feature that reduces noise and minimizes motor wear, a trap and filter that eliminate moisture buildup in the air hose, and operates at pressures up to 30 PSI. Other features include 0.5mm needle and nozzle combination, adjustable main lever tension, double Action main lever and counter-weighted ergonomic handle. The system costs around $400 to $500.

Professional Airbrush Tanning System: The package includes a quiet compressor with air tank and automated on/off switch that regulates air pressure to a maximum 40 P.S.I. a high quality Badger 3000TT Tanning Brush with Maximum Flow Handle, 10FT Recoil Air Hose, Two 2oz Clear Jars with Adaptors. The tanning solution samples include Refresh and Extend Lotion and Intensity Drops. The Professional Airbrush Tanning System costs around $500.

HVLP Nuress Tanning System: This airbrush tanning kit includes a spray system, smooth body polish for soft exfoliating and mild cleansing, lotion with Vitamin E and Aloe Vera, a tanning Solution with skin conditioning Aloe Vera, Barrier Balm, and instruction DVD and nose plugs and goggles. A simple twist locks the spray unit to the turbine and the hose pops off, for easy storage. The tanning system costs around $150.

Silver Jet Home Airbrush Tanning System: This is a single-person, light-duty, entry-level compressor that features working pressure adjustable from 10-18 PSI. The tanning spray system includes a coiled air hose, Iwata Pistol-Grip Filter, pressure adjustable knob, handle, airbrush holder, pressure gauge, convenient air hose connector, dual action Revolution series bottle feed airbrush, Scentual Sun tanning solution and instruction guide. Silver Jet is available for $250.

Visage Naturel Airbrush Sunless Tanning System: This is a patented CO2 sprayer that comes with 4 CO2 cartridges and a nozzle cleaner, and a bottle of Sunless Tanning Solution, sufficient for 2 full body applications. Color last for a week and there are no streaks of splotches. The product is available for $30.

Body Rage Sunless Tanning Airbrush System: This is a CO2 powered cordless airbrush tanning system, with disposable cartridges and so doesn’t require any batteries. The tanning solution is a fine mist that sprays on evenly hands-free with no streaks, and tan lasts up to a week or so. The product costs around $30.

Apply a tanning bed lotion an hour before and immediately after every tanning session. Tanning bed lotions protect your skin and help to accelerate the tanning process.

Tanning bed lotions contain tyrosine, an amino acid that stimulates production of the skin pigment melanin. Tyrosine assists the UVB rays in stimulating melanin production. UVA rays oxidize the melanin, producing color.

Many tanning bed lotions contain Vitamin E. The anti-oxidant effects of Vitamin E, as well as those of tyrosine, work to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, especially on your face.

Copper, another common tanning bed lotion ingredient, works to reduce the visibility of scars and other minor blemishes. (Incidentally, copper also assists tyrosine in the production of important brain chemicals. This could help explain the mild euphoria experienced by regular tanners. Research into the possible anti-depressive applications of the tanning industry continues to this day.)

All tanning bed lotions have a moisturizing element, which magnifies the tanning effects of UVA rays, while counteracting the drying and peeling effects of UVB rays.

As if all this weren’t enough, many tanning bed lotions contain hempseed oil, aloe vera, or any of a number of other nutrients to guard your skin from the relentless ravages of the natural environment.

Different types of tanning bed lotions exist for different purposes. Some are formulated as “tan accelerators” that contain ingredients amplifying the effects of the tyrosine. Others are used mainly as an after-tan to replenish lost moisture.

Be sure to choose one that is suited to your skin tone. If you are light skinned or do not yet have a base tan, choose a Type I or II. For moderate skin tones, choose a Type II, III or IV. For darker skin tones, a Type IV or V should be OK.

Tanning bed lotions come in thousands of scents for your olfactory pleasure. Do you have a thing for cappuccino? Key lime pie? Chocolate? There’s a tanning bed lotion just for you. Your salon should have a full array of products for you to choose from. If you own your own tanning bed, ask your distributor whether they sell tanning bed lotion. Oftentimes they will pass their wholesale discounts on to you, as an incentive to purchase their equipment. For the best deals, however, scour the Internet.

Sunless tanning is a popular way to enjoy the look of a tan without the need to go in the sun or tanning bed. There are many ways to get a sunless tan.

A new form of sunless tanning has exploded over the past few years with the introduction of Automated Stand-Up Units, Airbrush Equipment and advanced Handheld Spray Equipment like the California Tan CustomBronzer Spray Tanning System. Found in professional tanning salons and spas, this equipment allows you to get an immediate sunless tanning treatment in just minutes by entering a stand-up unit or being personally sprayed by a trained technician.

Another way to get sunless results at home is with a self-tanning lotion or spray often referred to as a bronzer, that can be used to deliver a sunkissed glow to your skin without going in the sun or visiting a tanning salon or spa. Self-tanners also work great to fill in tan lines or deepen an existing tan.

Many years ago, the first self-tanners introduced to the market contained dyes that left the skin orange and streaked. Today, thanks to modern technology, self-tanners are the perfect solution for creating an instant, realistic tan without unsightly orange streaking.

How Self-Tanners (DHA) work?

DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) is used as a self-tanning agent. It does not produce a “real tan” by increasing skin melanin levels, but it can create the tan appearance by developing a brown skin coloring. The action of DHA is limited to the upper layer of the skin and involves a reaction between DHA and skin proteins. DHA reacts with the amino acids and amino groups of the skin’s keratin-forming brown-colored compounds. The process takes place in the outer layers of the epidermis. There is much evidence to suggest that the process is similar to Maillard reaction, also known as “non-enzymatic browning”. In this reaction, reducing sugars combine with amino acids, proteins and peptides to form various amino carbonyl compounds via a complex chain of reactions, which is not yet completely understood. According to the Maillard reaction, pyruvic acid and other hydroxycarbonyl compounds are probably formed from dihydroxyacetone, which, after further reaction steps, form brown compounds. The development of color takes anywhere from 2 - 4 hours and the intensity is dependent on the formulation concentration of the DHA in the product.

Everyone seems to be searching for that fountain of youth these days. We like to search for the easiest ways to reverse the hands of time. We try to eat better, get more sleep, take a yoga class, and yet we wonder if we can still do more. If you search the aisles of your local pharmacy you will come upon bottles of Vitamin E. Our body does not produce Vitamin E, but it can easily be found in our diets.

Open your refrigerator and you will find good sources of Vitamin E such as green vegetables, almonds, wheat, grains, fish, and peanut butter. This is a vitamin that is fat-soluble and is needed for proper cell growth and cell function. It assists in the metabolic process and to break down other organic molecules. Vitamin E has been glorified in the past, as the one capsule that can erase all the years of damage that your body has incurred overtime. The damage is the result of by-products that are bodies expend when we are exposed to free radicals in our environment. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage other molecules such as our DNA, collagen, and enzymes. It is also thought that Vitamin E prevents the growth of cancer cells and can prevent heart diseases.

Is it really necessary to add Vitamin E in your diet? The question is controversial and more studies need to be done on whether a younger, healthy person really requires this vitamin. The recommended daily amount for the average adult is 15 mg a day. In supplements, 1000 mg is the maximum amount that should be taken. It is difficult to be deficient because the human body only requires a small amount because it stores Vitamin E and is able to reuse it over and over again.

Those that are truly deficient have symptoms such as muscle weakness, wasting or loss of muscles, and anemia to name a few. Health ailments that would cause a Vitamin E deficiency are pancreatic, biliary diseases that affect the liver or gallbladder and cystic fibrosis. The body is not able to absorb fat correctly. What if you do not fit in any of these categories? There is speculation that getting an excess amount of Vitamin can be toxic even fatal in those that are not deficient.

Many people take Vitamin E because they think it will help them live a longer life or reduce their chance of having a fatal heart attack or stroke. Yet studies keep showing that your chances actually increase after one dose of 400 I.U. ‘s are equal to 1.5 mg. So, taking Vitamin E is actually doing more harm than good