It's summer time ladies and I know most of you have spent the last couple of months working to build up that perfect tan for that special day when you have to get into your swimsuit for the first time and make your debut in front of the world. I know that sounds dramatic but isn't it true? The last thing we want is embarrass ourselves, friends, family, and/or children by going out looking like a ghost, like our skin has never seen the light of day. If you are busy like me and haven't had the time to build up that perfect tan and need a quick fix before that fabulous vacation you have been oh so needing in a week, there are some great new healthy ways to get that natural sun kissed look we want without the risk of getting a nasty burn. As a Plus Size Model it is unacceptable for me to show up to a shoot sunburn or with crazy tan lines, so I have learned many ways to getting a quick, safe, and natural looking tan.

As women we all have different skin types and our skin is very important to us, so we must take time to nurture it with a daily skincare regimen. Whether it's a variety of different products and steps in your regimen or as simple as a daily moisturizer we have become more educated and aware of the fact that the sun does in fact damage our skin and cause premature aging and serious diseases such as skin cancer. As a result of this we are now having to take precautionary measures like applying sunscreen daily before heading outdoors and even limiting our sun exposure as much as possible. Because of these serious risks many of us are giving up on tanning altogether and I am here to tell you that there is still hope.

In this article I am going to share with you a variety of tanning options that are out there today besides the traditional sun bathing. Tanning options ranging from sunless tanning products or self-tanners, the "spray tanners" mystic vs. airbrush tan, and commercial tanning beds. This will give you a breakdown on what they are and do exactly so that you can figure out what is best for you and your budget.

Sunless tanning products, self-tanners, or tanning extenders: These home products are generally available over the counter and can give your skin a tanned look without exposing it to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and are commonly sold as creams, gels, lotions and sprays you apply to your skin. The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). Sunless tanning products typically go on clear, and you might see results after about an hour. Full color appears within eight to 24 hours. Some products contain a tint, which darkens
your skin right away. When applied to your skin, DHA reacts with dead cells in the outermost layer of skin to temporarily darken the skin's appearance. The coloring doesn't wash off, but it gradually fades as the dead skin cells slough off. In most cases, the color is completely gone after five to seven days. Prices for these products range from $6 to $37.

My Top 5 Sunless Tanning Products:

1. Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Tan

2. Jergens Natural Glow

3. St. Tropez Self Tanner

4. Tan Towel Tanning Mist

5. Bare Minerals Faux Tan

Today sunless tanning products no longer leave you with an orange-brown, streaky looking tan but leave you with a even, natural-look if applied correctly and carefully. To achieve the best sunless tan, follow these tips I found helpful:

* Choose a product that is 1 to 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone so at first your tan looks more natural. Remember you can always go darker the second time around.

* Before using the product, wash and exfoliate your skin to remove excess dead skin cells. Women should shave their legs prior for an even application.

* Always do a spot check to make sure the color is right and that you do not have any sensitivity to the product

* Apply the sunless tanning product evenly and lightly. Use less product on dry skin or thickened skin, such as over your ankles, knees and elbows. These areas tend to absorb more product.

* After you apply the product to your face and body, wash your hands immediately to avoid coloring to your palms. Be sure to remove any product from under your fingernails. Then use a cotton ball to apply the sunless tanner to the top of each hand.

* To prevent staining your clothes, wait to dress until the sunless tanner dries completely, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Mystic, Airbrush tanning: This service is offered generally at a tanning salon or spa and is applied to all parts of your body - including your face - to ensure an even color. Like the products above both options are UV free and dermatologist recommended.The Mystic tanning is a process that lasts less than a minute where you stand in a booth and listen to a voice command that leads you through the process which sprayers shoot out an Aloe Vera based self tanner, evenly all over your body and dries instantly. With Airbrush tanning session an associate at the facility sprays your body with sunless tanner and is able to tailor the color to your distinct liking. This process takes less than 10 minutes and you are able to leave immediately after. The spray solution is typically made up of Aloe Vera, Vitamin E & C, Bronzer, and DHA. Whether you prefer to do-it-yourself or not both are great ways to get a quick sun-kissed look for up to 7 days. There is some maintenance to these processes as you are to shower and exfoliate prior to your session, you must not have on any oils, perfumes, or deodorant, after your session you must not shower or sweat for up to 8 hours, and lastly it is imperative to moisturize twice a day to ensure that your tan lasts. These sessions can cost anywhere from $25-$60

Are sunless tanning products safe?

Sunless tanning products are generally regarded as safe alternatives to sunbathing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers DHA safe when applied to your skin. Though generally recognized as safe, sunless tanning products do carry some risks, depending on how they're used and applied. If they are sprayed over your entire body this creates a potential for the product to get into and around your eyes, near your nostrils or onto your lips. The risks, if any, of inhaling or ingesting DHA are unknown, so close your eyes and hold your breath while the tanner is applied.

Commercial Tanning Beds: Come vertical and horizontal to allow you to lie down or stand while tanning, whichever is more comfortable for you. These capsule like tanning beds have a lid that is lined with tubular ultraviolet lamps and a glass or plastic bed that you can lie down on. The lamps are made of quartz which allows their internal air pressure to be higher than regular ultraviolet lamps thus filtering unwanted UVB rays. All commercial tanning beds have a timer that automatically turns off the lamps at a preset time, as a requirement by FDA regulations. The actual process of tanning is made possible by artificial UVB and UVA rays which have the exact same composition as the sun rays. When choosing a tanning bed at a tanning salon you should choose a high pressure bed over a low pressure bed
that offers the lowest amount of UVB (burning effect). Prices for a session can range from $7 for a low pressure, high UVB (burning effect) bed to $35 for a high pressure, low UVB (burning effect) bed. The lower the UVB (burning effect) and more protection you have from burning the higher the price.

How safe are Commercial Tanning Beds?

Studies conducted on people who frequented tanning beds have found that excess exposure to tanning beds can cause the same amount of damage as the sun. Other studies have found that people who regularly tan with commercial tanning beds are likely to withstand radiation levels to the eyes as much as 100 times that of outside sunlight. Katie Buyer, 2007

Personally, I have always been a huge fan of sun bathing and love spending a day at the pool with the family. I strongly feel that as long as you keep your sun bathing to a minimum and always apply your sunscreen then there is no reason to hide from the sun unless of course your doctor has told you to do so. The fact is that the sun produces melanin (the pigment that protects the skin from UV rays naturally) in your skin and stimulates the production of vitamin D in the body which is healthy for us and the best part of it all is that it's free. Happy Tanning!
by Danielle Line