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Is It Safe To Use Self-Tanners?

Is It Safe To Use Self-Tanners?Is It Safe To Use Self-Tanners? Summer is here, and we all want to get the perfect tan! Many of us like having a tan and leaving behind those pale faces. But beware, tanning is overrated since a tan (in our terms, “sunburn”). It indicates skin damage and is not good with the current increase in skin cancer in the general population, either from burns in childhood or due to the accumulation of radiation from lifelong sun exposure (Yes, the skin has a memory!).

Now we are addressed by different terms about protecting the skin and getting the perfect tan. Words like sunscreen (block, sunscreen), suntan lotions, and self-tanners frequently appear.

But do you know what they mean?

First, the most important, sunscreen or sunscreen, are substances that protect us from harmful UV rays, whether physical or chemical. There is always a number on their label after the acronym SPF, which stands for Sun Protection Factor, and this number indicates the time we can be exposed to the sun without burning. The correct and daily use of sunscreen is always being advised. Its re-application every 4 hours when there is intense sun exposure. In addition to protecting us from the sun, Sunscreens help us prevent or delay the effects of aging.

Are Self-Tanners Harmful to Skin?

Its counterpart would be the bronzers. Sunscreens are substances that naturally accelerate the skin’s pigment gain, accelerating the reaction to ultraviolet ray exposure. But these substances that come in creams or oils also accelerate burns production. Although an SPF appears in some bottles, it is usually deficient and has no protective effect against UV radiation.

So now we only have self-tanners, substances approved by the FDA, the food and drug administration agency in the US, to apply to the skin stimulating a “tan” of the skin chemically without exposing ourselves to harmful rays. GRAPE.

What are Self-Tanners?

The active ingredient in self-tanners is the substance dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which interacts with dead cells found in the most superficial layers of the skin and slowly produces color reactions. They roughly imitate natural pigmentation without the need to expose themselves to dangerous solar radiation.

What is the Duration of Self-Tanners?

After applying the self-tanner and obtaining the color, it gradually disappears, and after 5 to 6 days, there are no traces of it. It should reapply every 3 or 4 days to maintain the effect.

Does it have any harmful effects on the skin?

Not by itself, but if its use is not accompanied by sunscreens that protect us from the sun.

What is the Correct way of Application?

-Exfoliate the skin; either with a mitten or with body scrubs
-Thoroughly dry skin before applying self-tanner
-Apply the self-tanner in sections, starting on the arms, legs, and trunk. Give massages in a circular way for a correct distribution of it. Please wash your hands once finishing with each area so that they are not pigmented orange.
-Distribute well over the wrist and ankle joints to finish on the back of the hands and feet.
-In places such as knees, ankles, and elbows, where the skin is thicker and more pigmented, apply a small amount and distribute it evenly or diluted.
-To dilute the self-tanner or control the action, you can use a towel dry once applied or apply moisturizer to prevent complete penetration.
-Give the skin time to dry completely, a minimum of 10 minutes, and avoid sweating.
-Apply sunscreen every day, at least with an FSP 30, but if it is 50, much better, that is waterproof and broad-spectrum.

Is it Healthy to use Self-Tanner?

Now to answer the question, are self-tanners safe to use? Yes, it is, but emphasize that these do not protect against UVA and UVB solar radiation. To achieve such protection, you have to resort to regular cream applications with high sun protection factors (30 or 50).