There are three secrets to getting long-lasting results from an indoor tanning lotion.
The first secret is prepping your skin to interact with the ingredients contained in the lotion.
It is important that you remove hair from all the areas of your body that you intend to tan.
You can do this by waxing or shaving.
Choose a method that will not irritate your skin when you remove your hair.
You will then want to exfoliate your skin.
This will remove the dead skin cells on your body and ensure a smooth surface for the indoor tanning lotion to rest on.
Not only is this step crucial to long-lasting results, but it will ensure that your tan is streak-free and natural-looking.
If you plan on tanning often, then you should add exfoliation to your daily shower regimen.
To exfoliate properly, I recommend that you purchase a quality product, like St.
Ive's Apricot Scrub.
It is very gentle and easy to use.
However, if you choose not to purchase an exfoliate, you can simply use a wash cloth or loofah, lather from a bar of soap, and use sugar or salt as a scrub.
You should shower yourself as you normally would before you exfoliate.
Be sure to keep the water as warm as possible without hurting your skin.
This will make your skin more supple and allow the scrub to remove your dead skin cells easily.
When you are ready to exfoliate, start with your legs first and then work your way upwards.
You want to use circular motions with your washcloth or loofah to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of your skin.
This will allow the tanning lotion to penetrate the skin's surface.
This will result in an even and longer lasting tan.
Be sure to spend extra time scrubbing rough surfaces on your skin, such as your knees and elbows.
When you're finished exfoliating, rinse the scrub off of your body well.
You do not want to leave any residue on your body that could prevent the indoor tanning lotion from working well.
When drying your body, be sure to pat your skin gently with your towel.
Do not rub the towel against your skin.
This could lead to excessive drying of your skin.
It is important for your skin to remain moist and supple.
Apply your indoor tanning lotion in a circular pattern to your skin.
Using a circular pattern will allow you to get even coverage without any streaks.
Next, take your towel and gently pat it against your knees and elbows.
This prevents lotion build-up from occurring in those areas.
It is also a good idea to pat the towel against your hair line as well.
This will make your tan look more natural.
The best indoor tanning lotions contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA).
DHA will react with the cells on your skin's surface to change their color to brown.
If you want a tan that develops gradually over time, then look for a tanning lotion with erythrulose.
Erythrulose works in the same fashion as DHA but the reaction with your skin cells are not as quick.
Manufacturers of indoor tanning lotions are now combining those two ingredients to provide a longer lasting tan.
You should also look for lotions that contain hemp for added moisture, natural botanical extracts, slimming and anti-aging formulas, and vitamins.