- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- moms today articles
- moms today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Bronze in a Bottle
Self-tanners for a Safe Tan
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
It is easy for teens to incorporate the use of sunless tanners into their regular routines, just as they do make-up, lotions, hair products and fragrances. "By simply setting aside a half an hour or so, one day a week, and making that their tanning time, teens can easily and readily make 'safe tanning' a part of their routine," says Lamas. "This is certainly more time efficient than having to spend hours sun bathing or utilizing a tanning salon, not to mention cheaper."
Melanie Baynes, a high school senior from Rochester, Minn., uses sunless tanners all the time. "I put on the tanning lotion after my shower, and by the time I'm done doing my hair, it's already working," she says. "I can get six months' worth of tanning for what it costs for two or three visits to a tanning bed."
For those who don't wish a tanned look all the time, the use of sunless tanners for a special event or occasion can be done easily as well. "Using self-tanners for a vacation, party, event or a date is easy," says Lamas. "However, if you want that tan so you'll have a certain look on the day of a special event like a prom or graduation, don't experiment with tanners on the day of the event. If you're uncertain about which product you should use, buy some different shades, and experiment with a patch of skin, which doesn't have to be exposed. That way, when the special day comes, you'll be ready – and tan!"
Want to see more?
- Overboard: How Much Makeup Is Too Much for Your Teen?
- Sun Smarts: A Crash Course in Sun Safety From Texas Children's Hospital Specialists
- Bikini Babies: Preteens and Summer Body Image
- Teens and Tanning: An Unhealthy Practice
- Creating Beauty From the Outside In: The Secret to Healthy, Radiant Skin
- Talk about it!
