TO achieve a beautiful healthy tan at home here are the top tips to ensure your tan is perfectly gorgeous for as long as possible.
If you’re a tanning junkie, make sure you exfoliate regularly to avoid build up as several layers of tan can result in an uneven result.
If you’re waxing or shaving before tanning, make sure you do it more than 24 hours before your tan.
When you’re tanning give yourself a good all-over polish and apply plenty of moisturiser the night before to get your skin as silky as possible. The most common cause of a patchy tan is dry skin, so it’s crucial to moisturise problem areas (wrists and hands, elbows, knees, ankles and feet) immediately prior to self tan application.
Keep palms tan-free – try using latex gloves and then do the hands last by mixing a little tan with moisturiser and applying it like a hand cream, then wipe the palms with damp cotton wool.
When you’re applying your tan, make sure you’re covered all over. Don’t worry if you go over the same area twice – the tan will only be patchy if you miss a bit, not if you double up.
Make sure you do not rub in your tan. Gentle smoothing is all you need, then you can let the product do its work. Rubbing may make the finish uneven.
Try to avoid washing your hands for as long as possible in the development time – a minimum of 2 hours. Use a hand sanitiser or wipes instead.
Your tan will not get deeper the longer you leave it – once it’s been on for the required amount of time, it will have given you the natural-looking golden colour you’re after. For a deeper tan you should re-apply on successive days – 2 – 3 days in a row will give you a really deep, rich bronze tan.
When you’ve applied your tan wear loose, dark clothing and avoid tight-fitting underwear. Anything that’s pressing on the skin may make the results a bit patchy.
The hands and face will fade quicker than the rest of the body top these up to keep your tan looking fresher for longer.
Remember to start exfoliating in 2-3 days – but don’t forget to polish and moisturise, too, or your colour will not fade evenly.
Mary Ferry is the proprietor of the Genesis Skin Care & Laser Clinic in Upper Dore, Bunbeg. Tel 07495 32575, www.genesissalon.ie. If you have a query you would like answered in Mary’s column confidentially, e-mail healthandbeauty@donegalnews.com
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