Of course the cheapest way to make sure you have a lovely summer sun-tan is to don your bikini and spend a few hours sizzling in the sun! Unfortunately — as we all should know by now — if you make a habit of doing this it is also the cheapest way to ensure that you damage your skin beyond repair, and possibly even contract deadly skin cancer.

Being an "older woman" who grew up under the African sun long before young girls were assailed with magazine articles warning of the inherent risks of sun exposure, I can attest to the premature wrinkling and pigment damage that occurs. I have just read that 80 percent of sun damage to skin occurs before the age of 20, and the permanent side effects don’t appear for another twenty years. You'd better believe it, girls!

So how do you have that desirable tan and save your skin from those harmful ultraviolet rays?

For the past few years I have been (better late than never!) trying out sunless tanning …. "self-tan" lotions and potions. There is now another alternative on the market, too — tanning tablets, that work from the inside out.

Let’s take a look at how these products work:

  • Please note, I am refraining from mentioning any particular products by name, but have gained this information from a manufacturer of one brand, on the assumption that most self-tan lotions contain similar active ingredients and work the same way. Should you wish to obtain details on any particular product, I suggest you contact the manufacturer of your chosen brand.

    Self-tan lotion contains a simple sugar, called Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which browns the skin by interacting with amino acids found in surface skin cells.

    In my experience this is one product where one can truly say that the more expensive a brand you buy, the better the result will be! So don’t stint on price — your skin is worth it!

    In order to obtain the best results there are a few guidelines to follow when applying a self-tan lotion:

  • You need time! At least an hour is recommended (not that long when you consider how long you would have to lie in the sun for the same effect!).
  • Apply the lotion evenly — an even application is the key to a natural looking tan, without having those darker areas around the ankles and knees, or unsightly streaks on your calves.
  • Before you start applying the sunless tanner, give some thought to which areas of the body you want to tan. Concentrate, otherwise you might end up missing a vital spot.
  • Remember that everybody is different — just because your friend used a particular product and turned the perfect shade of brown the first time she used it, does not necessarily mean you will have the same result. Sometimes you have to apply several layers to achieve the tan you want. Experimentation is the key, and if you have any problems the manufacturer will usually be happy to answer questions to offer advice.
  • Wash your hands as soon as possible after applying the lotion, to avoid having overly tanned palms. Some people use surgical plastic gloves when applying their self-tan, but this does make even application more difficult.
  • Once you have applied the lotion use an exfoliator every time after bathing or showering — self-tanners grab onto the surface skin, so exfoliation ensures you achieve an even, uniform tan. After exfoliating use a moisturiser. Some brands of self-tanners come as a range of products which include an exfoliator, moisturiser and tan maintainer as part of the package. Using these ensures maximum value from your self-tan.
  • A sunless tan usually only lasts for a few days after application. You may reapply as often as you like, but take care to exfoliate in between, so that layers do not become "caked" on the skin. This sometimes produces the dreaded "orange effect" that you want to avoid.

    As mentioned previously one can also take a tan in a tablet nowadays! Tanning tablets contain a "natural amino acid" called L-tyrosine, which works in the deepest layers of the skin to increase melanin (the brown pigment) activity. It is claimed the tablets are completely safe (I have not tried them myself). The dosage is usually one tablet per day and the results are — I am told — good.

    If you decide to save your skin and indulge in some sunless tanning, don’t forget that your chemically induced tan will not save you from the ravages of the sun! You will need to take the usual precautions when spending time outdoors.

  • Always apply suntan lotion frequently when exposed to the sun — the higher the protection factor, the better.
  • Plan your outdoor activities to avoid the sun’s strongest rays —try to avoid the sun between 10am and 4pm as much as possible.
  • Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses to reduce sun exposure.


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