Due to the threat of skin cancer, natural sunless tanning has become very popular. While a "little sun" is beneficial, aiding your body produce necessary vitamins; with that said, extended basking might be detrimental to your health. Sunscreens are crucial when going outside for any length of time. Following these sunless tanning tips will improve your health.

For some reason, a good tan is considered sexy and healthy looking. However, baking in the sun for that golden brown glow will increase your chances of skin cancer and cause premature wrinkling and age spots. The wrinkle factor alone might be the deciding factor to those interested in their appearance.

Luckily, here are some sunless tanning tips to achieve a natural tanned look without the sun. Natural sunless tanning lotions or mousses are very popular with the do-it-yourselfer. Today's tanning products create a better natural-looking tan. The lotions are now tinted slightly so you can tell where you applied the tanning product to reduce streaking. There is also a sugar-based ingredient in the lotion that reacts with the pigments in the outer skin of the body to produce the tan appearance. Your sunless tan could last anywhere from 3 - 7 days, depending on how fast you shed dead skin cells.

Another option is a spa that offers a spray-on tan. The procedure would involve standing in an enclosed booth sans clothing or you could wear something that covers the private parts that you don't want anyone else to see. You protect your hair and any other area that you do not want the tanning product to cover. Then, you are sprayed by a tanning mist in one even application. Sometimes, a spa technician might do an airbrush technique similar to painting a car. That takes more time and is far more intimate, but, the results can be outstanding.

Regardless of which sunless tanning tips and methods you choose to follow, you can ensure an awesome looking tan with some preparations. First, make sure you have plenty of time, about 2 hours. That gives the tanning lotion or spray time to dry. Meanwhile, you mustn't take a shower, bathe, or put on clothing.

Just before the process, take a bath or shower to soften your skin. Then you need to exfoliate your entire body, so that the dead skin cells are sloughed off, revealing the recent skin growth. Make sure that special care is taken with the places on your body where wrinkled skin can occur, such as your elbows and knees. Once you have rinsed off, you must dry your body completely. Moisture will hinder the tanning product from properly adhering to your skin.

Don't forget that the natural sunless tanning process takes time, and the effect only lasts for a few days. But the tradeoff means not as much worries about skin cancer. Once you see your healthy "tanned" skin, you'll be pleased to go out and show off your sexy new tan.