It is unfortunate that so many young women and men as well turn a deaf ear when it comes to the dangers of tanning,  instead opting for the short-lived bronzing and the long terms dangers of the sun's radiation.

The proof is out there and it's irrefutable—long term sun exposure is hazardous to your health. However, let's not focus on the obvious and the most dangerous part of a so-called glowing, healthy tan—cancer.  It is real and it is deadly.  If you're unaware of that fact, then you must be living in a cave, which might be a good place since there is very little sun exposure.

Let's focus on the vanity side of the issue.  Exposing skin to the sun wrinkles it long before its time.  If you're not sure of this fact, then take a look at an area of your body that receives very little sun exposure-the butt.  No age spots or wrinkles there!  The irony in all of this is protecting yourself from the sun is the cheapest easiest way to protect skin.  But once the sun damage is done, it could take hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars to repair it.

Fine lines, wrinkles, dry, rough skin, precancerous lesions, and larger pores are all the result of overexposure to the sun.  As we age, our skin ages, but overexposure to the sun hastens skin aging.  A tan may look good temporarily, and to some, may look healthy, but it is far from that.  Tanning is the body's response to the damaging effects of sun exposure.  Tanned skin is the body's way of  protecting it from exposure.

Tanning beds are also damaging.  It's the same principle as sun exposure, but it can sometimes be even more problematic because the radiation is in a more concentrated form and it is much more direct.

Doctors have been somewhat successful in changing the mindset that tanning is healthy.  But what seems to be much more difficult to change is the idea that a tan looks beautiful and sexy.  Maybe it does, but only briefly.  Premature aging is not only unhealthy, but it is unattractive on anyone. You even have to be careful with tanning accelerators.

Take the necessary precautions to protect your skin.  Stay out of the sun, especially during the hours between 10am and 2pm.  If you're outside, use a sunscreen with a high SPF, apply liberally, and often.  Use protective clothing and hats.  Talk to your dermatologist about protecting your skin.  By applying a few simple tips to your skin care routine, you could save yourself  premature aging and from the frightening reality of skin cancer.

Another entire area of concern has to do with the effect of the sun on the eyes. Finding the best protection sunglasses is a very important start.

Artificial tanning has progressed to the point where it is simply confusing now. Tan lovers are continuously courted by advertisers that promise them the perfect tan. Not many years ago the only way to get a tan was by direct sunlight or by way of UV light in a tanning salon. We have come a long way since then and some of the options today include spray tanning, lotions, creams and even pills. So how can a consumer know which is right for him or her. How can they know which is also the safest method? Truthfully, all of these methods come with risks. Anyone who claims otherwise is misleading you. Spray tanning which according to the FDA and Mayo clinic is safe, still comes with some risks. Creams and lotions are simple to apply and appear safe but they too also come with risks.

Your best option may very well be the method that is safest but also gives the best tan. Some methods might be safer than others but what's the point if the tan wears out in a day or two. This will only cause someone to get additional artificial tans which in essence will negate how safe they are because instead on of one application you will have to receive several applications. This will increase your risks because you are exposing your body to harmful chemicals on a consistent basis and while DHA is safe, other ingredients are often not as safe.

The safest option may very well be spray tanning especially if you exercise caution. The main ingredient in the tanning spray is DHA. This is what darkens the skin, this chemical is also used in lotions and creams. The risk of DHA does not come from the solution being sprayed directly on your skin. The risk arises when you inhale the tanning spray that is sprayed on your body and face. Anyone who has entered a spray tanning booth will know that this is a possibility despite holding your breath. The mist can easily penetrate the nostrils as well as the eyes.

Having said all of that, if you are able to protect your face and mouth from the tanning mist then you will greatly reduce your risks. Spray tanning is surely much safer than strong UV light that people are exposed to in stand up tanning beds. Some people might make an argument that creams are safer, the problem with them is they must be applied consistently and they also have a strong smell due to DHA and often don't result in a satisfactory tan. This article should motivate you to research further because when it comes to skin the most important thing healthy skin and not how bronze your skin is.

]]> http://greatskinhealth.com/tanning-options-a-thin-line-between-quality-and-risks.html/feed 0 http://greatskinhealth.com/get-great-looking-healthy-skin-using-tan-accelerator.html http://greatskinhealth.com/get-great-looking-healthy-skin-using-tan-accelerator.html#comments Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:56:38 +0000 Guest Post http://greatskinhealth.com/?p=838 Everyone in today's society wants to have healthy and fit looking skin. To achieve the healthy skin you are wanting, it seems to be the trend to get a tan. There are more and more tanning accelerators on shelves, but for some, there is nothing better than sitting on the beach in a chair under the sun, while others can be found in tanning beds. If you have considered the beach or a tanning salon, you may also want to consider using an accelerator. A tan promoter or accelerator as they are called, can actually help speed up the tanning process which will give you that natural tan look more quickly than being in the sun. This allows for less time spent in a booth or out in the sun which means less damage to your skin.

When you expose your skin to the sun, it produces what is called melanin that protects the skin. The more you are in the sun, the more melanin is produced which in turn makes you skin darker. When your skin can't handle the exposure to UV rays, this can result in a sunburn. This can even happen while in a tanning bed.

Tanning accelerators help your body produce natural melanin and can be sold in either a pill or in most cases a lotion or spray. No matter which form you decide to use, most of them have at least one of the following ingredients in them:

Tyrosin- An amino acid that helps your body stimulate melanin.

Psoralen- Extracted from plant substances or from citrus oils. You can mainly find this in limes. This will allow the pigment in your skin to make more melanin when you are out in UV rays. This results in a quicker tan than if you were in a booth or in the sun.

The purpose of the best tan accelerator lotions and sprays or pills is to help you build a healthy tan without exposing your skin to too much UV rays. The downfall to using them is that if you apply sunscreen, it can actually slow down how fast you tan. Many people who use them often don't use sunscreen. Neither one of the ingredients that are found in these accelerators are FDA approved. You should also know that psoralen will make your skin more sensitive to light, so you should always be careful when in the sun. Before choosing to use a tan accelerator, be sure you consider all of your options. Too much exposure to certain UV rays can cause skin damage instead of doing any good.

The way spray tans work is that they spray a fine mist of an active ingredients on to your skin. This active ingredient causes the melanin in your skin to develop a tan over the course of a few hours to a few days. This tan is considered safer than tanning from the sun or UV tanning booths, as you skin isn’t exposed to harmful UV rays that have been linked to increased rates of skin cancer and skin aging. Many spray tan solutions also contain bronzers which instantly add color to your skin and wash out after a few days, but this is the right amount of time for the tan to develop naturally and it should last for a week or so. You can make sure that you get the best possible quality tan by cleaning your skin thoroughly beforehand with an exfoliated and keeping your skin moisturised after the treatment. With these simple spray tan tips you will have great looking skin.

Some great spray tan tips include exfoliating before you spray tan machine treatment and moisturising a lot afterwards. This will ensure that you get the best possible spray tan that you can.