Sunless Tanning – Instant vs Gradual


Know Before You Buy a Sunless Tanner

Sunless tanning can be achieved myriad methods: sunless tanning wipes, tanning spray booths, and the most popular, sunless tanning lotions.


Sunless tanning lotions can generally be classified into two groups: "instant" (tans within 1 – 4 hours) and "gradual" (tans within 10 – 15 hours).


"Instant" tanning lotion contains higher concentrations of tanning agents; therefore, they cannot be used every day. They are designed to be used as a "quick fix" for someone who wants a tan now. If applied every day, your skin will definitely discolor, become orangey, and show streaks and hues. If it's fast, it's orange.


"Gradual" tanning lotion contains lower concentrations of tanning agents; therefore, they can be used every day. They are designed to build your tan gradually, and to be used by someone who wants a more natural looking tan. Those who use this type of sunless tanner understand a natural looking tan cannot be achieved quickly, but requires time. If applied every day, your skin will not turn orangey or streaky, but will tan to a more natural looking dark bronze.


If you use a "gradual" tanning lotion, you will also need to apply a body lotion to moisturize your skin.


TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion was the first product on the market to offer a "gradual" sunless tanning lotion, and TanSome self tanning lotion was the first to place the tanning agents within a premium body lotion, eliminating the need for a second application of lotion.


Although other companies have copied our model of "gradual" tanning, and some have actually placed their tanning agents within a moisturizing body lotion, no other company can boast the high quality natural ingredients used by TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion (TanSome Ingredients).


Other very large and popular companies use mineral oil, petroleums, parabens, polyethylene, etc (compare us to Bain Soleil, Coppertone, Eucerin, Hawaiian Tropic, Jergens, Neutrogena, Xen–Tan, etc). They use these industrial ingredients to lower their cost; we don't. Begin reading labels, not only on what you put into your body, but what you put onto your body. Would you put junk on your car's body? Then why are you putting junk on your own body?



Not All Sunless Tanning Lotions are the Same

The secret to a natural looking tan is simple: you must use a "gradual" sunless tanning lotion that carries the tanning agents deep into your skin. "Gradual" sunless tanning lotions use low concentrations of tanning agents, which allows your skin's keratin to oxidize over a longer period of time. The longer the time of oxidation, the more natural looking the tan. Accelerating the oxidation time produces an orangey color with streaks and hues.


Although other "gradual" sunless tanning lotions may give you a natural looking tan, you must still use a premium body lotion for skin nutrition and rehydration (moisturizing).


Applying a "gradual" sunless tanning lotion and premium body lotion require that both be applied at the same time. If you apply one lotion before the other, the first lotion applied will create a shield around your body and prevent the other lotion from penetrating to the skin. This is like painting over a dried coat of paint; the second coat does not penetrate to the wall, it simply covers the first coat. If you reverse the method, you have the same problem. You must wait at least 30 minutes between lotion applications; be sure neither lotion contains any mineral oil, petroleum distillates, parabens, etc (which are industrial chemicals used because of their low prices).


TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion places time–released tanning agents within our premium all–natural ingredient base. Using the best–of–both–worlds solution allows a single sunless tanning lotion to provide you with a natural looking tan, while moisturizing your skin at the same time. Compare its ingredients to the ingredients in your current body lotion. You will quickly realize that your lotion is probably not truly nourishing and rehydrating your skin. To nurture your skin, you must provide it with an array of natural antioxidants, tropical oils and butters, and vitamins for a healthy and supple feel.


After a single application of TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion, there is no need for additional premium body lotion –– you are covered with TanSome!



Never Buy an "Instant" Sunless Tanning Lotion

"Instant" sunless tanning lotions comprise the vast preponderance of the sunless tanning lotions on today's market. The manufacturers of this type of lotion are proud of their lotion being "instant," with some claiming their lotions being more "instant" than others. Instant sunless tanning lotion has major disadvantages as compared to "gradual" tanning lotions, and cannot achieve the dark bronze of a gradual sunless tanning lotion. We do not recommend any sunless tanning lotion that is "instant."


"Instant" sunless tanning lotions are usually opaque brown. These manufacturers instruct you to choose a color that best fits your desired tan. These self tanning lotions usually come in light brown, medium brown, and dark brown. The brown color in these lotions is achieved via the addition of pigments, which color the outside of your skin. The color has nothing to do with the lotion's tanning ability; it is there to temporarily color your skin. The pigments from these lotions instantly cover your skin the same color as the lotion. The pigments will wash away during your first bath after application. Don't use these products if you are going to be engaged in water activities, fearful of perspiring, or fearful of being caught in the rain!


Even if the lotion can be applied uniformly, this does not solve the problem of the differences of your skin's non–uniform absorbability of the tanning agents. Your skin will absorb lotion (and tanning agents) differently depending upon many factors, including skin preparation Preparation of Skin and lotion application Application of Lotion. The skin on your elbows is much thicker than the skin on the back of your hands, which means your elbows may require more lotion.



Always Buy a "Gradual" Sunless Tanning Lotion

"Gradual" sunless tanning lotion resolves the problems of "instant" tanning lotions, and provides a more uniform, darker, and deeper tan. Gradual sunless lotion allows you to apply the lotion for a slight tan each and every application. The differences in your skin's absorbability become slightly noticeable about 10 – 15 hours after application.


Since the lotion provides only a small amount of tanning for each application, it is possible for you to apply less lotion to darker areas and more lotion to lighter areas. If used every day for 14 contiguous days, you will know how much lotion to apply to each area of your body.



Buying a "Gradual" Sunless Tanning Lotion

When buying a "gradual" sunless tanning lotion, always ensure two things: the color is opaque white and the lotion is within its expiration date (it is common practice for stores to sell their products beyond their expiration dates).


TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion is an opaque white for two reasons: the white color contrasts against your skin, making its application highly visible, and easily seen if an area has received too little or too much lotion. You are then able to relocate the lotion from one area to another to ensure an even tan. After two days of application, you will begin to apply less lotion to some areas and more lotion to other areas. It is also opaque white to show purity, and may discolor upon contamination.


TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion does not have an expiration date on its label because actual testing has shown that it has a minimum shelf life of five (5) years. Actual samples were tested every month over a 60–month period from date of mixing, and the lotion remained white and showed normal tanning.



Never Take Tanning Pills

Another sunless tanning product is a tanning pill that contains canthaxanthin, which is most commonly used as a color additive in certain foods. Although the FDA has approved the use of canthaxanthin as a food color additive, the FDA does not approve its use as a tanning agent.


When used as a color additive, only very small amounts of canthaxanthin are used. As a tanning agent, however, much larger quantities are required. After canthaxanthin is consumed, it is deposited all over your body, including within your skin, which turns an orange–brown color. These types of tanning pills have been linked to various side effects, including hepatitis and canthaxanthin retinopathy, a condition in which yellow deposits form in the retina of the eye.



Disadvantages of Tanning Wipes

Tanning wipes are sold with high concentrations of the tanning agents, without any lotion. Although this sounds convenient for the consumer, it has a major disadvantage –– its uniform application over a large area. If you try to use a wipe or several wipes to cover your entire body, you will be disappointed with the results. The wipes will be wet when you start application and dry after you finish application. The amount of tanning agents within the wipes diminishes as it is used, making the application of the tanning agent non–uniform. If you are going to use this product, use it for small areas only, like your face, forearms, and hands.



Dangers of Tanning Spray Booths

Tanning spray booths use the same tanning agents as other sunless tanning lotions, but without the lotion. Spray booths have nozzles that atomize and apply a mixture of quick drying liquid base and tanning agents. The result is usually uniform, and leaves the skin a light bronze color. This method is very expensive and lasts less than a week.


Although used extensively by those who want a tan immediately, the FDA has not approved this method of tanning www.fda.gov/safety. Possible problems with this system are inhalation into your lungs, and application in ingestion into your eyes, mouth, and nose. The FDA allows this form of tanning to continue without approval, which questions the purpose of the FDA's mission.