Excessive sun exposure is extremely harsh on your skin and contributes to the development of wrinkles, skin damage, and, in the worse case, a greater risk of skin cancer. Thankfully sensible sun exposure doesn't mean you can't look tanned and bronzed. Self tanning lotions offer a natural looking tan without the risk of the sun damaging your skin. The latest self tanning products are easy to use, the following tips and advice will take you through easy to follow steps to achieving a great looking sunless tan.

How do self tanning lotions work?

Self tanning lotions contain DHA (dihydroxyacetone) which temporarily colours the top layer of your skin. DHA is considered by skin experts to be completely safe. For the technically inclined the DHA reacts with the amino acids in skin cells to produce melaninoids. The melaninoids give the top layer of your skin increased pigmentation. The important thing to remember is a sunless tan lives in the top layer of your skin and does not extend any deeper.

It is also very important to remember that DHA gives no protection from the sun. Even with a great sunless tan you should use protective sun screen if you are going to be in the sun.

Tips: Should I use a spray on or cream (lotion) self tanning product ?

The most effective self tanning products are generally self tanning lotions. Self tanning lotions tend to go on a lot easier and are more easily blended so you can better avoid streaking and patchiness. Self tanning lotions are also typically longer lasting and produce a more natural colour. Self tanning gels, sprays and mousses generally do not give the same even, natural tans as self tanning creams. That said you should use the self tanning product you feel most comfortable applying.

How to apply self tanning lotion: Step 1 Preparation

Remembering a sunless tan lives in the top layer of your skin preparation is all about making sure your skin is a good canvas for the self tanning product.

Tips: Shaving and waxing

If you are planning to shave or wax make sure you do it the day before you are going to apply your self tanning product. Shaving or waxing after you have applied the self tanning product will strip the tan off.

Tips: Nail polish

If you are planning a manicure or pedicure they are best done before you apply the self tanning product to avoid your nails being stained.

The first thing you need to do is take a shower and exfoliate. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells allowing the self tanning product to be absorbed more evenly and to also last longer. Apply shower gel to a wash cloth then scrub your skin in a circular motion (scrubbing up and down is okay for your arms and legs). Your stomach, back, arms and legs can usually take a more robust scrubbing but be gentler on more delicate places like your chest so you don't end up with a rash. When exfoliating pay extra attention to knees, elbows, ankles, hands and feet, or anywhere else you have dry skin. Rinse off and hop on out of the shower.

While you are waiting to cool down tie your hair back and decide where you would like to apply the self tanning product. If you want an all over tan just put on a pair of underwear or a bathing suit bottom. If you just want to tan your upper body you can just wear a tight sports bra. It pays to have a "tanning" bra you are happy to use whenever you are applying the self tanning product. That way you can apply the self tanning product right up to the article of clothing without worrying about ruining it.

After you have cooled down and you are nice and dry you are ready to apply the self tanning product.

How to apply self tanning lotion: Step 2 Application

Tips: Allow plenty of time

Set aside at least two hours when applying a self tanning product to allow time for the self tanning lotion to be absorbed.

Tips: Avoid dark hands

To avoid dark hands you can either wear latex gloves when applying the self tanning product or ensure you wash your hands with soap and water at least every four minutes. I would recommend not wearing gloves as you will have better touch and feel with bare hands. If you choose to use bare hands applying your self tanning product in your bathroom will give you easy access to a sink.

Wherever your skin is ultra dry, such as feet, hands, knees and
elbows, the self tanning product will accumulate and result in giveaway dark patches. Moisturise these dry spots and wipe off any excess moisturiser before applying the self tanning product.

When applying the self tanning product begin where a tan would normally be darkest and then blend out from there. Only put on as much as can be smoothed into the skin and easily absorbed. Any excess self tanning product will give you a darker area. Remember to blend, blend, and blend. If there are any body areas which would normally not get as much sun, like to sides of your feet, don't apply the self tanning product directly to those areas. Apply the self tanning product on an adjacent area and just blend it over to the less tanned areas.

Squeeze some of the self tanning lotion onto your hands and begin to rub it in. Start with your legs, rubbing the self tanning lotion in light circles and working quickly. Don't apply the self tanning lotion in up and down strokes as this may lead to streaking. Rather than applying the self tanning lotion directly on to dryer skin areas such as your feet and knees smooth it up or down from a part of your leg that already has self tanning lotion on it. This will also help avoid getting too much self tanning lotion on these dryer parts. It should take less than five minutes to do both legs. If you are not wearing latex gloves don't forget to wash your hands regularly.

After your legs start on your chest and work your way out to your shoulders remembering to always apply the self tanning lotion in circular motions. Make sure you get your neck and the top of your back. From there apply the self tanning lotion to your arms remembering to treat the drier areas such as your hands and elbows the same way you treated you feet and knees. Again don't forget to wash your hands regularly if you are not wearing gloves.

Continue applying the self tanning lotion to your stomach and back. You may want some help from a friend with the more difficult to reach parts of your back. Make sure you also cover your sides and, if you wish, your armpits.

Finally apply the self tanning lotion to your face. Use a makeup sponge for a more blended, natural look. Always apply the self tanning lotion in circular motions until your whole face has been covered. Take care to avoid the eye area and, to keep the tan nice and even, watch out for any self tanning lotion build up around the hairline. Make sure you don't forget your upper lip, behind your ears and the back of your neck.

If you were wearing gloves finish with your hands. They will need only a very light coverage. The little left in your makeup sponge after you finished applying the self tanning lotion to your face may be enough.

How to apply self tanning lotion: Step 3 After application

Now you will need to wait for the self tanning lotion to dry. It will take between 15 to 30 minutes for your skin to absorb the self tanning lotion enough so that you won't risk rubbing off the self tanning lotion by getting dressed. If you are in a hurry you can use a hairdryer on a low setting to speed up the drying process. Once you think the self tanning lotion is pretty well dry get dressed in very loose fitting clothes like nightie or robe. As some of the self tanning lotion may rub on to your clothes wear clothes that you don't mind getting a few marks on. About two hours after applying the self tanning lotion it should be OK to get dressed normally.

The tan should show around 3 to 4 hours after the self tanning lotion has been applied.

Tips: Apply self tanning lotion before you go to bed

A good way to pass the time waiting for the self tanning lotion to dry is to go to bed. Apply the self tanning lotion about two hours before your bedtime. Making sure you don't have your best bed sheets on the bed go to bed at your normal bedtime. The next morning you'll wake up nice and tanned.

Tips: What happens if my tan is not dark enough ?

If you have a very pale skin colour it will take 2 to 3 applications to get a deep dark tan. Simply repeat the self tanning process over a few nights until you achieve the colour you want.

Tips: What if I get streaks ?

Exfoliating will help with streaks. Exfoliating will help to remove your tan. You won't see a noticeable lessening of the streaks immediately but exfoliating will help lighten your tan and thereby even out the streaking. You will need to reapply the self tanning lotion to restore a dark tan - remembering to use circular motions to avoid a repeat of the streaking.

How to apply self tanning lotion: Step 4 Caring for your new tan:

Once you are happy with your tan you will only need to apply the self tanning lotion a couple of times a week to maintain it. If you regularly exfoliate you may need to reapply the self tanning lotion a little more often to maintain your tan and reduce the chances of your tan looking patchy.

Tips: What's the smell ?

The smell you'll notice when using the self tanning lotion is the DHA at work. A small price to pay for looking great while avoiding the dangers of sun exposure.

To keep your tan intact as long as possible avoid shaving your legs for 24 to 48 hours after you've applied the self tanning lotion. It also pays to avoid long baths or chlorinated pools which can soak off the tanned top layer of skin.

Tips: Fall or winter tan

If you are applying the self tanning lotion in autumn or winter you could probably get away with only tanning your shoulders, neck and face.