Now They're Trying To Tell Us We Can't Spray Tan........TRYING.

Are spray tans as dangerous as UV tanning sessions? That is the latest question the skin-scare industry is raising ever since an ABC report on the safety of spray tanning aired. The answer, in short, is no. While id love to say that my answer comes from plain old basic common sense, the fact of the matter is: there are no facts! It's amazing what a flashy news show can do. It can scare you and make you fear for your health without providing one single shred of valid evidence supporting its case. 

For example, the report and a follow up article in the September 2012 issue of Allure magazine state that dihydroxyacetone (or DHA, the ingredient that actually causes skin to darken) was "found to cause DNA damage in bacteria and cells". That's it. Seriously, that's all they say. So my immediate response is a) what does an effect on bacteria have to do with possible effects on humans and b) exactly WHAT cells? Human? Rat? Fruit fly? Sunflower? The fact that the type of cells are not specified lead me to an almost certain conclusion that they are not human.

They don't stop there. They go on to question the safety of self tanning creams. Their cause for alarm is the fact that IF creams containing DHA are absorbed below the superficial layer of skin and into the dermis or bloodstream, a reaction could occur that forms age accelerating compounds. Now, if you use a self tanning cream on, say, your face then you already know that it doesn't absorb that deeply. A couple of face washes and you either have to reapply or it wears off. Therefore, and this IS just plain common sense, it can't be absorbing that deeply into your skin. Throughout the report and article, we are given professional quotes from highly regarded dermatologists who leave us with such gems as "I'm not sure what to think" and "it's probably all safe" which leaves me with just one question: Why is ANYONE listening to this crap?

I have returned!

It's been a while but I've been pretty busy moving from North Carolina to Wyoming! Why the move? I wanted something different so when the opportunity presented itself, I didn't let it slip by! Moving here has opened my eyes to some new tanning issues that I will be writing about in upcoming articles along with articles that affect the entire population in general. Either way, be sure and read because if nothing else, I guarantee you will learn something interesting!

New Lotions For 2012!!

This lotion review is being done with my co-critics, Carrie Cameron and Sarah Caudle. I find it is much easier to review the VAST amount of new lotions each year if you work as a team. Therfore, some will be lotions she has used and some will be lotions I have used. Each one will be noted as such. That being said, let's get started!


All reviews are done on a 5 star scale


Designer Skin Lotions


Everyone knows this is my favorite brand and they have some wonderful products this year for all you tanners out there. Below are what Sarah and I tried and we are honest so we will give you the good and the bad because not everything is perfect.....although Designer Skin comes pretty close ;)


Black Noir

Description: 22x bronzer derived from DS's Black Label Private Reserve that contains silicone emulsion with 2x Opti-Glow to leave skin soft and radiant. Miracle MelaInk technology, Ultra-pure DHA and Erythrulose provides noticeably darker skin after one session. Contains amino acids clinically proven to rapidly darken skin while providing anti-aging benefits. Tyrosine helps intensify bronzing. SunStay Technology and Fade Defying formula prolong the life of your tan.


Scent: Refreshing Citrus Twist


Thoughts: If there is one lotion you can count on to do exactly what it says on the tin, this is the one. All DS lovers know the Original "Black" was an exceptional lotion and "Black Noir" only improves on the original. It is super smooth and leaves your skin beautifully dark after use. Of all the new lotions for this year, this is without a doubt the best one.


Best For: Experienced Tanners


Final Review: 5/5 (Tony)


Cirque

Product Description: Powerful Erythrulose bronse provides deep, dark color. "Turn Back Time" technology helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles.Golden glitter adds a touch of sparkle to your skin.


Scent: Sensual Pink Sugar


Thoughts: I'm not much into shimmer but if you are, this will leave your skin positively and literally glowing after your tanning session. The shimmer is very iridescent. The bronzer is not as strong as that in some of the higher level lotions but is fine for those that are seeking a natural sun-bathed tan.


Best For: Moderate Tanners/Shimmer Lovers


Final Review: 4/5 (Tony)




More More More

Product Description: Moisture Splurge Hydrating Bronzers blend together to create a deep, dark, streak-free tan. Luxe Aloe Vera base  with over 75 key ingredients that ensures skin quenching moisture with every use. Paraben and gluten free. Hypoallergenic.


Scent: Fruit Smoothie


Thoughts: The name of this lotion is exactly what it left me wanting: more. Everyone knows that I love DS products but I'm sorry to say they dropped the ball on this one. The consistency was not thick enough for my taste and I did not notice any bronzing at all when I used it. I also wan't too crazy about the scent. However, if you have skin allergies, this is the lotion to stick with.


Best For: Sensitive Skin


Final Review: 2/5 (Tony)






Armed & Fabulous

x Fiery sizzle designed to evoke extreme dark color. Green tea and chamomile help soothe and prepare skin. Royal Berry Extracts help diminish signs of aging.


Thoughts: I am a very experienced tanner and therefore my skin has built up a tolerance to the tingle sensation from tingle lotion. However, this one was strong enough to give me the tingle and it felt so good. The color I left with was rich and dark. My skin felt very moisturized after I left the salon. I'm also not a huge fan of fruity scents but this one smelled really nice even after leaving!


Scent: Mora Berry


Best For: Very Experienced Tanners


Final Review: 5/5


Coco De Ville

Product Description: Camu Camu complex and DHA combine to impart an exotic island glow. Powerful antioxidants and free radicals promote collagen reproduction. Loaded with caffeine to firm and tone your skin.


Fragrance: Crushed Pineapple & Coconut


Thoughts: The most amazing thing about this lotion is the scent. It's like a pina colada in a bottle! It was a little greasier than most of the DS line but it did produce a deep rich color. Hard to tell if the caffeine was effective with one use but if this is similar to DS's Revival (which also contains caffeine) then it will be great for toning skin.


Perfect for: Beachgoers/Regular Tanners


Final Review: 4/5 (Sarah)




Celebutante

Product Description: Famously rich XIX Must Have Bronzing Technology enraptures skin with spellbinding color. Exclusive Maqui berries lavish skin with smoothing antioxidants to help restore radiance and minimize the appearance of fine lines. Vitamin Punch Infusion fights free radicals and protects skin's natural glow.


Fragrance: Rich Maqui Berry


Thoughts: Excellent bronzing, especially if you enjoy fruity scents. The scent does not change in the tanning bed as some lotions do but stays the same so you smell great after your session. The lotion has a surprisingly thick consistency considering it is not a silicone emulsion.


Best For: Intermediate Tanners


Final Review: 4/5 (Carrie)

Coming Soon: The Anti-depressant benefits of tanning PLUS new lotions for 2012!!

Just What Is A "Tingle" Lotion Anyway?!

Tingle lotions. The name sounds a little bit scary. Do you really want to tingle and fizz while in a hot tanning bed? I’m sure a lot of you have wondered this and decided to play it safe and avoid using these lotions, instead opting for a traditional lotion. That’s perfectly OK because, I, your intrepid tanning guru felt the same way….until I saw someone walk into my salon with a tan I would kill for. I asked how she got that way. The answer? TINGLE LOTION. Go figure, right?!

Refusing to let anyone  look more bronzed than me, I bravely decided I was going to put my preconceived notions aside and try one out. And just so we’re clear, I was so hesitant to try one that my preconceived notion basically consisted of me laying in the tanning bed covered in tingle lotion screaming “GET THE DEMON OUT!!!” I’m not ashamed to admit it, the whole concept scared me. Boy was I wrong ever wrong about all of it.

Let’s start with what I DIDN’T know before doing my homework:

What exactly is a tingle lotion?

Tingle lotions contain all the ingredients you find in your traditional indoor tanning lotions with a one or two additional for a little extra kick…..and a super dark tan, believe me! I’m ¼ Cherokee and when  I got done with my first tingle lotion experience I looked every bit of it. It was awesome.

But I digress, the ingredients that cause the “tingle” or “hot action” are oddly enough commonly used to treat vitamin deficiencies! These ingredients cause micro-circulation, increasing blood flow and oxygenation of the skin’s cells. Now, for those of you without a PhD in Physiology, I’ll translate: it opens up your pores and allows for greater nutrient and sunlight absorption. (note: I do not and NEVER will have a PhD in Physiology).

The oxygenation helps nutrients reach the skin, which speeds up the skin’s natural growth and maintenance process. The more oxygen your skin gets during a tanning session, the better your results and I now know that this is THE way to the your quickest darkest tan that everyone will be so jealous over.

The truth is, you don’t so much tingle while in the bed. It’s more of an intense warming sensation and if you  crave the warmth of a good tanning bed like I do, then you’ll feel like your tanning session is 15 minutes of heaven.

After you tan, your skin will look reddish brown for a couple of hours but not to worry, you aren’t burnt. It’s simply an after-effect of the pore opening process and completely harmless. This is the point at which you may feel some tingling…and you may feel it for a while but it isn’t uncomfortable….it’s actually pretty fun. It reminded me of Pop Rocks but instead of my mouth, I could feel them on my skin....like swimming in a sea of them. Go ahead and laugh but you try it and you'll see how neat if feels!

Now, while I did fall in love with the tingle lotion and many people who try them do, you should be aware that this type of lotion is for more experienced tanners who already have a nice dark base tan. Please don’t read this before your first visit and hop in a bed with a tingle lotion. That is not recommended by any reputable lotion company or salon. While experience tanners can easily enjoy the sensation, it will likely be too intense for beginners. Also, if you have sensitive skin, it’s not recommended that you use tingle lotions because the redness effect you get afterwards is likely to last longer and possibly cause mild irritation (nothing serious but probably not to comfortable)

Finally, since I did, after all, catch the Tingle Fever, I tried a plethora of lotions out and want to let you know my personal top three:

1.      (my personal favorite) Trinity3 by Devoted Creations. This is a more intense tingle than the other lotions I listed in my top 3 BUT the color I had afterwards was the envy of all my friends. This is the one I ended up purchasing a full size bottle of because, well…try a sample pack of it and you can probably see why. It has a soft scent of raspberry pear that isn’t overpowering. It also contains Strivantn, which is a cosmetic incredient cousin to the better known Strivectin, that helps you look younger and refreshed when you are done tanning. I don’t know that I can say it made me look younger but it definitely made me look AMAZING!

2.       Another excellent choice is Firestorm by Norvell. I’m a huge fan of Norvell’s tan extending products. The bottle says it is a banana and berry scent but I smelled a hint of caramel as  well, probably because that is one of the natural bronzing agents that this product uses along with the tingle ingredients to give you a mega dark tan! 

Finally, 3rd runner up is Dark ChocolateTini 5 Shots Sizzle by Fiesta Sun, which you almost have to love just for the name alone. This one had the least tingle of the three so if you're feeling a little shy, try this one to start out! I don't think I have to tell you what it smells like =)

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UVA vs. UVB rays: Why Tanning Beds Are Safer

I often have clients ask what the difference is between UVA and UVB sun rays. This is often followed by the question: why are tanning beds safer? Well let me answer both of those starting with the difference between the 2 rays:

Both names start with UV for Ultra Violet so essentially you have Ultraviolet Type A (UVA) and Ultraviolet type B (UVB)

UVA rays are typically considered safer in moderation than UVB rays. Outdoors, the strength of UVA rays is the same all year long. The have an energy per photon of 3.14-3.94 eV and are considered a "long wave" or "black light" wave. While UVA rays can cause problems when overexposed (such as laying in the sun for hours regardless of how much sunscreen you slather on), they are not the type of rays that cause the dangerous burning of the skin, unless of course you do as I mentioned above and bake yourself for hours on end, which can lead to a multitude of skin problems such as premature aging. As with anything, moderation is always the key.


UVB rays were originally considered to be the "tanning" ray. We now know that it is in fact, the ray that causes your skin to burn more quickly. They have a higher energy per photon (3.94-4.43 eV) and are "middle waves" meaning that although they penetrate less quickly than UVA rays, they affect the melanin (the stuff that causes your skin to tan) more deeply, resulting in a higher burning rate.


Now, why are tanning beds safer than sun exposure? Tanning bed lamps are typically made up of 97-99% UVA rays (depending on the quality of the bed) and 1-3% UVB rays. Since you are limited to no more than 15-20 minutes in a bed, your risk of burning is minimal. Plus, using a good salon with a knowledgeable staff will help you to get the right amount of exposure for your skin type. A good top quality lotion will also help keep your skin moisturized and give you quicker results in less time.
Something important to look for is whether or not the lamps in your bed are giving off bright light all the way through the lamps or whether they are appear darker than they should. Dark or dull lamps give off a higher amount of UVB rays. A good salon knows to change lamps at least every 1000 hours and the best salons will change them as often as 800-900 hours for your safety. 


I'm working on an article where I visited beds in Greensboro/High Point/Kernersville and that will give you more specifics on my opinion of the salons to go to and the ones to avoid. For now though, I will tell you that if you are in High Point, I recommend The Tan Line on N. Main St and if you are in Greensboro, I recommend  Got Sun? on New Garden Rd. Both of these salons are the only ones I have found that are diligent about changing their lamps as needed and ensuring that every client tans properly.


If you have any questions I didn't answer, feel free to leave a comment or drop me a line!

Why Indoor Tanning Is Better Than Outdoor Tanning!

People always ask me what makes indoor tanning better than outdoor tanning. Part of me hates answering that question simply because there are SO many reasons that it can take forever to give a complete answer. So, I decided to make this week's post a nice organized list of the plethora of reasons you are better off getting your necessary vitamin D dose from a tanning salon then laying by the pool.

Exposure Control

Your body needs sunlight but it only needs a certain amount of it. Doctors vary slightly in their recommendations regarding the amount of exposure that you need but the general range is 15 to 20 minutes of direct UV exposure per day, without sunscreen. More than that and you risk burning. Less and you don't absorb enough UV light for proper Vitamin D synthesis. When using an indoor bed, you are only allowed to use it for a certain amount of time (usually between 12 and 20 minutes depending on the strength of the bulbs). This is in order to moderate the level of exposure you are getting and to prevent you from burning. Burning your skin is what can lead to skin cancer. Sun exposure alone does NOT lead to skin cancer and I will happily argue that point with anyone who wishes to do so!


Reduced Risk Of Burning


I'd be willing to bet that most of you have experienced at least one occasion where you take a trip to the beach or even the local pool to soak up some rays. You lay out that beach towel and make yourself comfortable then the next thing you know you wake up two hours later burnt to a crisp. That's the problem with outdoor tanning, you don't know anything about the UV exposure you are getting. You have no idea how strong the rays are, you don't know how much actual sunlight you are getting. Clouds come and go and that can affect the strength of the light your body is absorbing. 


Retina Protection


When using an indoor tanning salon, you are required to use goggles that protect your eyes from UV light. While moderated UV light is beneficial for your skin, it is quite dangerous for exposed eyes and the thin skin that makes up your eyelid is simply not enough protection for your eyes. How many people do you see laying out in the sun with goggles on? Not many at all! If you've ever laid out in the sun for an extended period of time and then gone inside, you may have noticed that everything had a purplish tint to it that lasted anywhere from a half hour to several hours. Guess what? That's sun damage you did to your eyes from exposing them to  UV rays. You know you are at a trustworthy salon if they ask to see your goggles before you are allowed to tan. If they don't, be very skeptical of their overall concern for your health.
One more thing regarding eye protection. Don't be stupid and show your goggles to the salon attendant and then not wear them in the bed. Goggles are now made so that they don't leave you with the "raccoon-eye" look so please, wear them the entire time you are in the bed. It's just good common sense!

Cosmetic Appeal


If you are tanning, there is a very good chance that you aren't going only for the vitamin D. Let's be honest: a person with a tan looks better than a person without one! This is where indoor tanning is a major plus over outdoor tanning. With an indoor bed, you get a nice even tan (including areas that you can't expose in public....I don't care what anyone say, tan lines are not attractive.) When tanning outdoors, it can take hours of exposure to get a tan that is most likely darker on the front than on the back and sides. Of course, the higher quality the tanning bed you use, the better results you will get. If you want the absolute perfect tan, just try the Ergoline 600 Turbo Bed. You can't do any better, period.
Tanning helps reduce the appearance of scars, clear mild cases of acne. Doctors prescribe tanning beds as a treatment for patients with both eczema and psoriasis (forms of dermatitis). Tanning makes you look thinner which is especially popular when it gets close to beach season. 


Here's something else to think about: Recent studies in Europe suggest that UV light exposure stimulates the thyroid gland (this is the gland that affects your metabolism). If this is proven to be true, that would mean that tanning can help you lose weight. Definitely stay tuned to this blog as I intend to follow this research closely!