How to Get a Great Tan without the Sun:  Step-By-Step That nice bronzed look created by those UV rays is what you know as a suntan.  It is really hyperpigmentation, an abundance of melanin.  The melanin soaks up those harmful rays and produces a ‘suntan,’ a sign of stress, oxidative injury and inflammation in the skin. Fact:  there is no such thing as a healthy tan. Self- tanners are the way to go to get a healthy sun-kissed look.  Once you decide which self-tanning product is right for you, it’s important to allow adequate time for preparing your skin and applying the tanner.  If you follow these steps you will have a safe, glowing tan without the danger of sun exposure. You will need the following supplies:  tight fitting disposable gloves, Vaseline or Petroleum Jelly, lotion, tissue, and lemon juice, a nailbrush or toothbrush to correct any mistakes, a hair tie or band, and a hair dryer to speed up drying time.  It sounds like it might be complicated but really, it’s not.  Don’t try to rush it. Clean and prepare your skin. Begin with a shower and exfoliation.  Shave at least 12-24 hours before you start.  It is important that your skin is very dry.  It’s advisable to not be in a steamy bathroom when you apply the self-tanner.  Ready?

1. Apply Vaseline to your eyebrows to protect the color.
2. With your gloves on, begin applying the product to your face first, working in a short and circular motion. Divide your face into four areas; forehead, cheeks and chin.  If you are using a dark tanner, you might want a lighter one designed specifically for your face. The hair tie or band will keep your hair out of the way.  If for some reason you don’t wear gloves it’s a good idea to wash your hands after each step to avoid the orange hand look, but that is not a guarantee.
3. Then move on to your ears and neck.
4. Apply lotion to rough areas and let it soak in then apply the product to your legs and feet. Go lightly and be sure to blend it well.
5. Next, start applying the tanner to your stomach, chest, shoulders and arms. When you do your hands, go lightly as the skin is thin.  You could mix your tanner with a moisturizer then apply it to your hands.  If any area doesn’t look well blended or is uneven you can use the lemon juice to take out some of the color.  This is a good way to perfect areas like your feet and hands, wrists, knees and elbows.  Please don’t try using bleach for this purpose.  It may work but it is very harsh and potentially dangerous for your skin.
6. Now you can apply the tanner to your back with the help of someone or by using any of these; a lotion strap, a wand or sponge paintbrush.
7. If you are using a quality self-tanner you shouldn’t have to apply more than once a week, and to your face twice a week. Monday and Thursday are a great schedule to ensure a nice glow for the weekend.

It works best to have a schedule where you apply at night and shower in the morning.  Don’t shave or wax right after application, wait about 12-24 hours.  Make sure the clothing you put on after is loose fitting.  If your self-tanner is older than 6-8 months you should not use it. Not all self-tanners are equal.  One product that seems to be on the top of every review list for 2014 is Tanceuticals CC Self-Tanning Lotion.  It comes in a 4.2 Oz. tube and cost less than $25. Why this product stands out is that is smells good and is good for your skin.  The top 10 Ingredients:  Water, Acacia Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax/Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Polysorbate 80, Dimethicone, Fragrance, Dihydroxyacetone, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Seed Extract Lotion Sense Shopping for a lotion is always a gamble since you really don’t know what you’re getting.  One major problem results from using too much.  Cover the areas with as little lotion as possible. It’s helpful to exfoliate first to ensure that the time for it to be absorbed into your skin will be minimized. If you should get a lotion that feels too greasy, try sprinkling a little baby powder in your hands with the lotion.  This will help soak up the extra oil, although try not to use too much powder or it may clump. You may find that your lotion has to be applied too frequently. A quick fix is to add a few drops of olive or sunflower oil to a dollop of the lotion. Often the fragrance of a lotion can seem too strong, even those labeled as “fragrance free” can still have a strong odor.  The only thing you can do is shop smarter.  Understand the potential differences, the “unscented” is typically that it contains a masking fragrance to cover the chemical scent.  There are some well-known key words to be aware of such as, “fragrance,” perfume,” and “parfum.”  The ingredients list may also contain the words “linalool,” and “limonene” which are both stealth fragrance ingredients. Using an Eyelash Curler Apply your eye shadow and eyeliner first, allowing it to dry before you begin curling your lashes. Mascara is always applied after curling the lashes to avoid lash breakage and smearing. If you only make that mistake one time you won’t soon forget the experience.  Make sure that your lashes are clean and dry. Remove any old mascara using an oil-free eye makeup remover.

• Trying to curl wet lashes is most likely going to give you that “bent lashes” look.
• Oil on the lashes could cause the new mascara to smudge.

1.  Open the curler and place your upper lashes inside its mouth. Close your eye slightly, then open it; all of the lashes should be in the curler’s mouth.

• Always hold the eyelash curler so that the mouth is parallel to your lashes.

2. Move the curler closer to the eye until the tool comes to the base of the lashes.

• Make sure the curler is not over the skin of the eyelid.

3. Keep the eye open and slowly close the curler. Your eyelashes should fan out evenly across the upper bar.

• If you feel pinching, readjust the curler.

4. Hold the closed curler for a slow count of five or 5 to 10 seconds, keeping your hand and face steady.
5. Move the curler away from the eyelid and hold and release again.

• If you would like additional volume you can repeat this step.

6. Apply your mascara.

You could try doing this process with heat to hold the curl longer:

• A heated curler can cause injury if you get too close to the eyelid.

1. Heat your curler with a hair blow dryer no more than 5 seconds or purchase one of the new battery operated curlers.
2. Carefully bring the curler up to your eyelashes.
3. Use the same steps as above, keeping in mind that the curler is hot.
4. You may want to follow up with a cold curler to remove any crimps made from the heat and to get closer to the eyelid.

Sandi’s Q & A Q:  What can I do if my skin is still red after I get home from having a skin treatment? A:  To answer your question correctly, it would be helpful to know what the treatment was that you had.  My suggestion would be to call the professional who performed your treatment to see what it advised based on the products used on your skin. Q:  Is there something that can be done at a salon to help make the serums go deeper without being invasive? A:  That’s a great question. One suggestion would be to have an ultrasonic microcurrent treatment. This is a very popular anti-aging treatment. Your skin care provider will first ask you some qualifying questions to see if you are a candidate for this non-invasive treatment. This process is fast, safe and very effective.  A gentle electrical stimulation triggers the body’s natural skin enhancement chemicals at a cellular level. Products are able to penetrate deep below the surface of the skin with this technique. Q:  My hands are always really dry and old looking. Is there anything besides paraffin baths that can be done to help them? A:  Yes, there are treatments available that target the hand symptoms that you described. One treatment would include a mild acid peel followed by some great products for hydration.  These treatments should be done by a professional and they always include a hand massage which improves the circulation to this much neglected area and it feels great too. Remember to keep your hands moisturized at all times and wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning. I have included some home remedies you might like to try:

1. Mix 1 Tablespoon of honey with ½ cup of orange juice. Rub over hands and massage. Leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and apply moisturizer.

2. Mix 1 teaspoon of honey with the juice of a lemon, 1 banana and 1 tablespoon of butter. Rub on hands and nails and leave on for 20 minutes.  Rinse in warm water and follow with a moisturizer.

Q:  How do I know when it’s the right time to reapply sunscreen and the correct SPF to put on? A:  Applying sunscreen is a very important part of your daily skin care regimen, especially if you are exposed to prolonged sunlight. Choosing your SPF level should be based on how long you plan to be outdoors. You may find that you normally turn red after being exposed to the sun for 20 minutes; you will then multiply that number with the SPF factor to understand how long you will potentially be protected from the sun. For example, 20 (minutes redness appears) X 15 (sunscreen with SPF 15) = protection from the sun for 300 minutes. You will need to reapply the sunscreen after 300 minutes expire. You should apply your sunscreen before your moisturizer. If you find your skin is dry, you should apply moisturizer in the summer months. There are also moisturizers containing sunscreen. Q:  I get confused about the ingredients in products. What should I look for to have healthy skin and why? A:  There are 5 main ingredients to look for:

• Alpha Hydroxy Acids – they encourage exfoliation, stimulate the product of collagen
• Antioxidants – to help nourish and protect the skin
• Humectants – moisturize
• Lipids – preserve the protective layer of the skin
• Occlusives – keep the moisture in the skin

Q:  Why do I need to make an appointment with someone who does skin care when I can make my own stuff at home? A:  That’s a good question.  Those who are licensed to perform skin care services are specially trained to evaluate your skin and offer a specialized treatment with products that have been tested and approved for use.  Although you can purchase products or make them, a skin care specialist has knowledge of how to combine, educate and apply those products best for your needs. Your skin is exposed and stressed in many ways by a variety of sources; therefore, it is continually changing.  A qualified specialist can be your best ally to help keep your skin healthy. Views:]]>