Would you like a tan? If you want to darken your skin to make yourself look more attractive than usual, it would be best to do some research first on which tanning process you should go through.

Tanning beds are a big no no. Contrary to what many claim, tanning beds are not a good alternative to sunlight. One has to remember that UV rays are harmful, wherever the radiation comes from. It would be best to use sunless tanning products if you want a golden glow without exposing oneself to harmful UV rays.

The Mayo Clinic says sunless tanning is a safe alternative to sunbathing. Sunless tanning is most definitely a practical alternative to sunbathing if you want to get a beautiful tan. The question is, how does sunless tanning work? There are a lot of sunless tanning products available in your local grocery stores, these products are also called self-tanners.

Sunless tanning products can give you a tan without exposing your skin to harmful UV rays. These products are commonly sold as lotions, sprays, gels and creams.

 If you do not want to apply them yourself for fear that it will not  turn out well, you can always go to a salon and have professional spray-on tanning done.

The active ingredient in these tanning products is DHA. DHA temporarily darkens the skin’s dead cells and makes one look naturally tan. The coloring does not wash off of course but it will fade away at some point as the dead skin are sloughed off.

Apart from topical solutions, there are also sunless tanning pills but according to the Mayo Clinic, sunless tanning pills are not safe for use and if used in excess will make your skin turn orange. Turning orange is just an aesthetic drawback though because sunless tanning pills can also lead to liver damage and to the formation of crystals in the eye (also called canthaxanthin retinopathy).

Photo Via CaseyKnutson.blogspot.com

For those of us that use self tanner, we know that every once in a while a streaky look happens. Here’s what to do when you have streaky self-tanner: Squeeze fresh lemon juice on a loofah and scrub dark areas in a warm bath or shower. Once dry, an allover, gradual self tanner such as XEN-TAN Gradual Self Tanner ($19.80), or a tinted bronzer, like Sun Laboratories Tan Overnight Instant Tint ($28.20), will help even things out.

To prevent a streaky self tan in the first place, thoroughly exfoliate and dry the skin before applying self tanner. After you apply the self tanner, let skin dry and then apply regular moisturizer over the self tanner to further prevent streaks. Make sure you rub in both the tanner and moisturizer thoroughly.

I am naturally a pale WASP, so I use sunless tanning lotion year round and have been using them for at least ten years. They have gotten exponentially better throughout time and today there are a few that are absolutely wonderful. My favorite, however, is Skinceuticals Sans Soleil, It delivers an even, natural-looking tan. Most self-tanning products use the tanning agent DHA (dihydroxy acetone),which can cause dryness and create an uneven, unnatural-looking tan. Sans Soleil contains erythrulose, a unique DHA enhancer. The combination of DHA and erythrulose helps ensure a more even, streakless, longer lasting tan without increasing dryness.

I also really like the Clarins Radiance-Plus Self Tanning Cream-Gel. It provides an even, natural looking tan.

The self tanning mist works really well also. The spray allows for an even application. The only thing I don't like about these is that alot of the spray gets wasted, and can leave color on the floor or furnishings you spray beside. Mystic Spray Sunless Tanner is a good one.

You can also get an at-home airbrush gun. It's the GlowFusion AirGlow and it blows out a sheer, vapor-light, even mist in an cocoa-infused GlowFusion Micro-Nutrient Tinted Protein Tan Mist that dries on contact.