Laser Hair Removal and Tanning

When laser hair removal first hit the market, people with dark skin were unable to receive the results others were experiencing. Now though, the treatment has been refined by adding skin cooling devices and lasers with a longer wavelength to provide safer and more effective treatments for people with darker skin. The risk of burning darker skin has been reduced because of these improvements. People who tan should be aware of the effects of laser hair removal on darker skin.


Generally people with tans have been discouraged from laser hair removal because tanning changes the pigments of the skin. Laser hair removal concentrates light energy on the skin. The skin absorbs the energy of the laser before the it can reach the hair follicles. The amount of energy absorbed by the skin is dependent upon the color of the skin. Because darker colors absorb more light, tanned skin can absorb an excess amount of light energy leading to burns or discoloration. Performing laser hair removal on tanned skin should be done very carefully and at a lower intensity. Using the lower energy setting means that the treatment may need to be repeated several times because the effectiveness of the treatment is diminished.

Types of Sunless Tanning Lotions

If getting the sun-kissed look is high on your priority list, slathering on a fake tan as a lotion, foam or spray is safer than basking in the sun because it doesn't put you at risk for skin cancer. The trick is applying it so it looks natural -- no streaks or orange colored skin. A professional spray tan is the most goof-proof way to go, but these can get expensive, and the resulting tan doesn't last any longer than it does with do-it-yourself sunless tanner products. Like the spray tans, foams and DIY sprays dry faster but aren't any easier to apply than lotions and creams. One option is going for a gradual self-tanning lotion, which uses a lower concentration of dye and can help minimize streaks and missed spots.

No matter which self tanner you choose, all contain the dyeing agent Dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a harmless but smelly chemical that produces a scent when it comes in contact with your skin. The smell fades as the product dries, but self tanners vary in their level of initial and lingering stinkiness, which may or may not bother you.

Here are some other things to keep in mind about self tanners:

• All sunless tanners use dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to temporarily color skin. Although this dye is considered safe, it does not offer protection from the sun's damaging rays. Experts urge consumers to top their faux tan with a sunscreen when outdoors (dermatologists currently suggest at least an SPF of 30). Also, beware of the SPF claims made by some sunless tanners. If your product doesn't list the ingredients titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone or Mexoryl SX (Tinosorb outside the U.S.), then it doesn't offer ample sun protection.

Some Benefits of Spray Tanning

If you have been looking to get that natural skin tan without having to sit in the sun or in a tanning bed, spray tanning has become a popular alternative and is offered by many tanning salons around the country. Increasing number of people are opting for spray tanning as over exposure to sun light causes harm to the skin. We all have a different tolerance level to the UV rays emitted by the sun; some can handle more exposure than others. Spray tanning is not dangerous and has many benefits.

Spray tanning is a safer tanning solution than sun tanning as it provides tanning using a substance called DiHydroxyAcetone (DHA), which is a harmless substance and doesn't produce any side effects to the skin. DHA available in the spray tanning solution interacts with amino acid present in skin and provides a soft brown color to the skin.

Here are seven Benefits of spray Tanning:

1. The tanning process sprays the solution in a mist form, you can get a smoother and silkier finish than the effects provided by natural sun tanning from the sun.

2. Another major benefit provided by spray tanning is its flexibility in providing tanning to specific portion of the body as desired. If you want to tan the entire body other than the face and the legs, you can get it done using the spray tanning. This is extremely difficult to achieve in sun tanning.

3. If you're living in a region that has very little sun shine during the entire year, spray tanning acts as the ideal solution for getting that tanned skin. Similarly, if you want to tan during winter months, spray tanning is the obvious choice available.

Sunless Spray Tanning FAQ

This content was found on Soleil Tans

Before starting your spray tan session in a reliable tanning salon, you should ask relevant questions from the staff. Your main goal is to ensure that, indeed, you know exactly what you are going into, what you can get out of it and how you can enjoy its benefits to the fullest.

Is the Procedure and Product Safe?
The best tanning salon uses products with FDA-approved dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the primary active ingredient. The substance has no known toxicity to humans and has been proven effective in chemically yet temporarily changing the color of skin from its natural tone to golden brown.

The result: A golden tan with a healthy radiance that mimics sunbathing under the warm Caribbean sun but without the actual sun exposure. Such is the high level of safety of any spray tan product that the American Association of Dermatologists considers it to be the most effective sunless tanning method.

Still, it is best to protect your eyes, lips and nose during any spray tan session because it can lead to irritation in these sensitive areas. The staff of your favorite tanning salon will provide the appropriate protective gear for this purpose including under-eye cream and goggles. Just make sure not to inhale or ingest the product and you should be just fine in the hands of these tanning professionals.

How to Improve Spray Tanning Experience

Spray tanning is a great way to get a deep and dark tan without having to spend hours in a tanning bed or having to expose yourself to the sun. Without the dangers of skin exposure, finding the right type of spray tan can be challenging. Usually when anyone is considering having a spray tan, there are a few questions they want to know before having it done.

In order to understand spray tans, consider the pigments used in the tan. Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is the ingredient in spray tans that is responsible for the darkening of the skin pigment. DHA works by staining the top layer of skin which is comprised of dead skin cells. Since DHA only works on the top layer of skin and doesn't penetrate into the epidermis, the length of a spray tan depends on several factors.

For anyone who has ever wanted to know how long spray tanning lasts, the amount of time varies between 7-12 days. However, in order to keep the spray tan around for the maximum amount of time, there are a few steps that can be taken.