Safe tanning with a focus on men

It’s a fact that men are far more likely to use sun beds in their bid for a summer glow, with increases in skin cancer the use of tanning beds has become a concern.

There is a growing trend for spray tans as they can give you a great colour as soon as you arrive at your holiday destination.

Here are our top tips for self-tanners with a focus on men:

First, let’s look at tanning in the sun: sunlight contains UVA, UVB and UVC radiation. It’s UVA and UVB that is of concern, the ozone layer absorbs UVC before it reaches the earth.  If you remember the ‘B’ in UVB equates with burning and the A in UVA equates with ageing. UVB has shorter wavelengths and these are the ones that cause superficial burning. UVA, is a longer wavelength, is more penetrating, deeper into the skin and is capable of passing through a car windscreen so a daily moisturiser with a good sun protection factor is a must. Your product should contain UVA and UVB protection for the best results and sunscreen should have a protection factor of over 25.

SPF is short for Sun Protection Factor, it tells you how long you can stay in the sun and if it is an SPF 30 it means you can stay in the sun 30 times longer than you would without protection. Studies suggest that if we all used a 30% sun protection factor there would be 78% fewer skin cancers – definitely a fact to consider.

Tan wipes are perfect for the face, is perfect for a quick application to start off your summer hue.  Face products tend to be more expensive than body ones as they tend to have added minerals and antioxidants.

Remember if you want to wax do so at least 48 hours before applications, it is much easier to apply the product to a baby smooth chest but if you are a tad more hirsute then try one of the mouses or creams.

What are the top tips for the perfect tan?

Step away from that bottle: DON’T hit the self-tan without read these key facts.

Here’s our ultimate DOs & DON’Ts of tanning at home. Pay attention ladies…

DO exfoliate 24 hours before tanning, use an exfoliator that contains an AHA.

DON’T use a tan that does not suit your skin tone, you want it to pop your complexion with colour, not overpower it.

DO moisturise the dry areas on your body before tanning, i.e Hands, feet, knees, ankles and any dry areas.

DON’T over-rub your self-tan when applying.

DO make sure your self-tan is clear on the skin by rubbing a wet wipe over the skin first.

If you want to go darker, apply a second layer an hour later, DON’T apply the next day.

DON’T apply the product directly onto hands and feet, work the excess product from the arms onto the hands and the excess tan from the legs onto the feet area.

DO use a tanning mitt when using your self-tan

DON’T shave the day after tanning, if you have to, use an electric shaver as this will not remove your tan.

DO rub an ice cube over the face first to seal your pores.

DON’T wash your hands for at least 8 hours after tanning, otherwise, you will get the white hands brown arms look.

DO build up fine layers when it comes to the face.

DON’T clean your teeth after applying your self-tan, do it before, this will stop it looking white around this area.

DO start from the face and work down your body in stages leaving your hands and feet till last.

DON’T exercise for 24 hours after tanning.

DO moisturise daily so your tan lasts longer.

When using a gradual tan, DON’T apply more than once every two days, otherwise, your tan will look unnatural.

DO exfoliate after 4 days to help your tan fade evenly.

DON’T use oils on the skin after tanning, this will strip your self-tan and make it look uneven.