Even when you're serious about protecting your skin, you may sometimes want the glow of a tan. Luckily, there are lots of products on the market that let you tan safely and sun-free. These do not include sun lamps or tanning beds, however.

Some people think that because sun lamps and tanning beds use only UVA light, which shouldn't leave you with a burn, they are a safe way to tan. (Despite manufacturer claims to the contrary, some tanning lamps do emit UVB light as well.) But the concentration of UVA light from a tanning bed is greater than that from the sun, so in the long run you absorb far more rays, significantly age your skin, and put yourself at even greater risk for skin cancer. (Doctors say that the use of tanning salons is one reason why they are treating more patients in their twenties for skin cancer.)

Other tanning devices to skip include tanning "accelerators" or tanning pills. These products claim to speed up the body's production of melanin or darken the skin, but there's no proof that they work and they have not been approved by government agencies for tanning purposes.

One way to go bronze is with sunless self-tanners, also known as "tans in a bottle." They contain an ingredient (DHA) that oxidizes on the outermost layers of your skin, giving you the look of a tan. You can apply sunless tanners just a few hours before a big event, and most sunless tans will last several days to a week.

You may have to try a few brands of self-tanners until you find one that looks best with your skin tone. These self-tanners come in sprays and lotions and are easy to use (follow the directions on the specific product box). They're cheap, too, usually around $10. Snag your parent or a friend to help you apply the stuff because the best results occur when it's applied evenly over the body.

If you have a few bucks to spend, many salons offer airbrush tanning applications, which may look more like a natural tan and are less likely to give your skin an orange tint than self-tanners. After your eyes, lips, and other mucous membranes are covered, a DHA solution is hooked up to a spray compressor, and the tan is sprayed on by a salon technician. A few hours after the application is applied, you'll be sporting your new, safe tan.

With both self-tanners and airbrush tanning, you'll get better results if you exfoliate your skin with a scrub brush or loofah before the tanner is applied - this process evens your skin tone and removes dead skin cells. And with both types of products, you'll still need to wear sunscreen when you go outdoors to protect you from the dangerous effects of the sun's rays. But the real deal is that you get the warm glow of a tan while you keep your skin beautiful for years to come.

Reviewed by: Patrice Hyde, MD
Date reviewed: August 2003

Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.

© ©1995-2004 KidsHealth