When making a trip to the beach, you usually go equipped with several things. A towel, a hat and sunglasses, a big bottle of sun block, comfortable clothes and slippers, lots of water and, if you’re planning to spend most of the day there, maybe a chair and a large umbrella. But sometimes, even with all these preparations, the day ends with your skin either too dark or too red to look attractive. This is only natural; there is no way to control or accurately predict the strength of the sun rays, and thus no way to measure how long you need to stay in it to get that perfect shade of bronze that you crave.

There are a few ways to get the shade of your choice but of all those, only two are worth mentioning. The first is temporary, cheap and easy to apply. tanning lotions can be found at any drugstore or supermarket with instructions as to how to get the best effects. All you have to do is rub the lotion evenly over your skin and sit long enough to let it dry, which usually isn’t more than ten minutes. If you require a darker shade, simply add another layer on top of the first one, and so on. If you’re in a rush for your tan, this is the way to go.

The other method is not cheap and not very fast, but doesn’t come off in the shower either. Using a tanning bed regularly will ensure that your tan stays, and the color is entirely controllable. All you have to do is adjust the lamps to the strength that you want. If you don’t know exactly how high they should be, simply ask around in a nearby fitness center or spa or check the accompanying manual. Spreading a little oil on your skin before diving under the lamps can make the process a little faster. However, lying under them for hours on end is not healthy and will do more harm than good in the long run.

Of course, both of these methods don’t give you the joy and relaxation you can get from the beach, even if your skin gets a little burned as a sacrifice. Science, no matter how convenient, cannot compete against the beauty of nature. It is unfortunate that most people do not have the time to enjoy much of it and reap the benefits.

Trevor Mulholland
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/getting-a-perfect-skin-bronze-103542.html

Sunburn is the result of not using proper skin protection while sunbathing or even from routine sun exposure. The skin becomes red, tender and swollen. You may have a stinging sensation and blistering may occur. Some people even get a low grade fever. The skin will eventually shed or peel, once the skin underneath has renewed itself.

Causes of sunburn

The causes of sunburn are overexposure to the sun, tanning lamps, outdoor activities, excessive intake of birth control pills and also sometimes the antibacterial agents used in soaps. As with any disease, sunburn has certain symptoms. The symptoms of sunburn are the reddening accompanied with the skin becoming tender, blister formation.

Sunburn results when the amount of exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body’s protective pigment, melanin, to protect the skin. Sunburn in a very light-skinned person may occur in less than 15 minutes of midday sun exposure, while a dark-skinned person may tolerate the same exposure for hours.

You can be sunburned on a cloudy or overcast day as well as a clear sunny day. The risk for sunburn is increased for persons with fair-skin, blue eyes and red or blond hair. Persons taking some medications including sulfa drugs, tetracyclines, some diuretics are at risk.

Symptoms of Sunburn

The symptom of the sunburn can appear from 1 hour to 1 day after exposure to the sun. While some of the symptoms such as red skin, are usually temporary, the skin damage is often permanent. In the case of severe sunburn, blisters are formed. Possible symptoms of sunburn are:

Swelling of the skin, especially in the legs

Skin peeling

Red warm skin

Initially, your skin turns red about 2-6 hours after exposure and feels irritated.

Flulike symptoms

Blistering – May range from a very fine blister that is only found when you begin to “peel” to very large water-filled blisters with red, tender, raw skin underneath

When UV radiation strikes the body, the skin cells react immediately. Specialized cells produce melanin, the body’s defence against UV radiation. People with naturally dark skin have more melanin and more melanin-producing cells. When light-skinned people are damaged by UV radiation, these cells produce more of this dark substance, creating a tan. Since they have fewer pigment-producing cells, the total amount of pigment (melanin) is low and thus the protection against further UV light is poor. So further exposure leads to sunburn and sun damage even if there is some tanning.

Treatment of Sunburn

The treatment tips of Sunburn are following

One of the best sun burn treatments is Dr. Michelle Copeland Revitalizing Protect & Repair Regimen , which can protect and repair damaging effects of the sun.

The best treatment for most sunburns is time. More severe burns may be treated with burn ointments such as silvadene .

A medicine called Indocin if taken soon after a sunburn will help reduce the pain, redness and swelling. Indocin is available from your doctor with a prescription.

Medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are useful, especially when started early.

For mild sunburn, cool compresses with equal parts of milk and water may suffice.

Avoid lotions that contain topical anesthetic medications because you can become sensitized and then allergic to that medicine.

Vitamin A, C and E containing creams have a beneficial effect on the sunburned areas.

Use a light moisturizer or a dusting of powder to ease chafing.

peterhutch
http://www.articlesbase.com/skin-care-articles/sunburn-causes-symptoms-and-treatment-488903.html

Want a great tan? Duh! Then you want a great sunless tan. If you’ve been paying attention at all to what researchers say about the damaging effects of the sun on your skin, you know that lying out in the sun or in a tanning bed is out of the question. I guess you could choose alligator skin and a really good skin cancer scare it you really wanted to, but I have faith that people today are better informed and therefore “smarter” about the way they tan.

Fortunately for us, advances in research and development have provided us with some pretty good, fairly inexpensive alternatives to get that summer glow some of us absolutely crave…sunless tanners. Today you can get that golden glow from an aerosol can, foams, lotions, creams, gels, towelettes, sprays, and mousses. There are certainly plenty of sunless tanning products out there to choose from, but which ones really work, and which ones are duds? Great question. And here are some great answers.

Prevention magazine found more than 30 people willing to participate in a test of 30 sunless tanning products. The test was done in January, when people have that pasty winter look and are aching for the golden glow of summer. In the words of Prevention Magazine.com, “9 products (out of 30 tested)… made our volunteers look like they’d just jetted back from St. Barts (as opposed to looking like they’d just emerged from the spray chamber at Earl Scheib Auto Painting). Their fake tans compared favorably with a $50 spray-on tan one tester got in New York City.” So let’s take a look at these nine products with such favorable results so that you can get an ‘unbiased’ opinion about what really works and what doesn’t.

Here are the nine products and how they rated:

1. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer got an A+ for price, scent, and streak-free coverage with a tan that lasts a day or two. Repeat daily for extended tan.

2. Banana Boat Summer Color Sunless Tinted Lotion was voted best deep, dark tan; it tanned even the darkest-skinned tester. Quick-drying but with a slight odor. You get 3 to 4 days of a streak-free bronze.

3. Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Tanning Gradual Tan Moisturizing Lotion provided the most even, streak-free tan of the bunch; several applications gave a deeper tan. The tan lasted 2 days but is mild enough to use every day.

4. L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Dual Action Instant Bronzer & Self-Tanning Lotion is a tinted self-tanner/bronzer combo; tan deepens from initial instant bronze effect. One tester described her tan as “sunburn gone bronze.” The vitamin E formula was reported to leave skin feeling smooth and healthy with a tan that lasts about 4 days.

5. Neutrogena Build-a-Tan Lotion for Body and Lotion for Face with SPF 15 is gentle enough to use twice a day for faster tanning, or every other day for gradual darkening; tan lasts 3 day to a week, depending on skin tone.

6. Neutrogena MicroMist Tanning Sunless Spray provides a hands-free airbrush application from an aerosol can that will let you reach even hard-to-reach places without help. You get 4 to 5 days of a salon-like airbrush tan, but be careful with your strokes as spray is colorless.

7. Clinque Body Quick Bronze Tinted Self-Tanner Mousse for Body and Face Self-Tanner gives a beautiful, glowing tan that lasts 4 days or more, but the body mousse can be a little tricky because it’s sticky and can take up to 20 minutes to dry.

8. Estee Lauder Go Tan Sunless Towelettes are colorless towelettes that give you a natural glow with just a few swipes for a tan that for about 3 days. These can be great for traveling or for people always on the go.

9. SkinCeuticals Sans Soleil Sunless Tanner got kudos for how this tanner glides on just like a moisturizer with the most natural tan of the bunch and not a single streak; the downside is that this tan fades in 2 days.

There you have it. Nine sunless tanning products with great reviews from over 30 testers trying 30 different products. If you don’t already have a self-tanner or bronzer that you absolutely swear by, you might want to give one or all of these a try, and see if you find a new favorite. If you haven’t started your own research yet, this list of nine sunless tanners is a fantastic way to start. Prevention magazine has already done the work for you, taking out most of the guess work. Now you are better armed for that search to find just the right ‘golden summer tan in a bottle, can or tube.’

George Mello
http://www.articlesbase.com/cosmetics-articles/sunless-tanners-the-votes-are-in-100343.html

Various questions arise in your mind regarding tanning when you read the hazards of it in your favorite lifestyle magazine or a website. And the very next moment you see a celebrity’s tanned body photographed in the same magazine or at another website.

Well, despite all these ill claims about tanning or tanned skin, the truth is tanning prevails and is still opted by billions of people around the world with safety measures. Tanning besides all sense is very essential to your body for it helps in some metabolic activities. The borderline is to follow some defined tanning Do’s and Dont’s.

1. Do use your instinctive common sense while you go for tanning—be it natural or artificial. Here is a list of Tanning do’s and don’t for that healthy and rich luster on your skin.

2. Don’t tan without knowing your skin type. Do consult a dermatologist to know the type of your skin. And then tan accordingly.

3. Don’t tan without moisturizing your skin. Your skin will get dry which will further make it prone to various disorders. Do use quality moisturizers to get the safe tanning.

4. Don’t tan naked. Its harmful for genital organs and breasts. Hence, do cover the susceptible parts of your body preferably with cotton cloths.

5. Don’t tan with naked eyes. UV radiations cause harm to the retina of your eyes. Do wear sunglasses for sun tanning and goggles meant for tanning beds instead.

6. Don’t use perfumes, deodorants or ant make up before tanning. They increase the possibility of sun burns. Instead go for tanning lotions.

7. For facial tanning don’t use oils, but do use lotions or creams meant for tanning.

8. Don’t tan for more than 20 minutes either under the sun or inside a tanner. Do keep track of the time you are exposed to UV rays. Less exposure to UV rays fulfills the requirement of the radiations needed by the body and has no side effects.

9. Don’t tan at very short intervals. However do give a minimum gap of two days between two sessions.

10. Don’t tan if you experience some kind of uneasiness like burning sensation or itching or red rashes on your skin. Do consult a doctor immediately.

11. Don’t take tanning pills. They are not approved by FDA. Do use morning sun before 10 to get natural and safe tanning.

Following these precautions, you are sure to get safe tan that will last for long. Yes, getting safe tan is that easy!

Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/safe-tanning-know-the-dos-and-donts-71333.html

Home Tanning Beds

Home tanning beds are popular with those who have the space and who want to get a healthy, golden glow without a lot of hassle. Two of the biggest reasons why people are tanning inside their homes are privacy and convenience. With home tanning beds, you tan when it’s convenient. There are no appointments to make, no lines to wait in, and you don’t have to wait for a sunny day!

When you tan at home in your own home tanning beds, you have everything you need to create a comfortable environment, too. You can choose the music that you enjoy listening to. You don’t have top listen to what everyone else does. You can undress without having to go into the same dressing room used by countless strangers, either. You grab your own robe and then disrobe without wondering who is watching. When you’re finished with your tanning session, you can hop into your own shower and you can stay there as long as you want.

Keep safety in mind when choosing a tanning bed for your home.

When choosing home tanning beds, safety is first in line of importance. When you tan at a salon, you don’t have to know about bulbs and lotions and other tanning details because the owners have already purchased the units and supplies they feel are safest. If you have questions, there is plenty of helpful staff ready to give you the answers you need. But that’s not how it is when you tan at home.

You will benefit by taking some time to familiarize yourself with the tanning bed options, the industry leaders, the replacement parts, and even the dangers of incorrect usage before you go shopping for home tanning beds. With a basic understanding, you’ll have a better chance of comprehending the information that the salespeople are giving you. That’s going to give you a better chance of buying the unit that’ll provide you with best and safest tan.

And with that knowledge, you’ll also be in a better position to compare the different prices you see on home tanning beds. As with many things in life, low cost should not be your number one consideration. When it comes to tanning beds, cost doesn’t necessarily mean quality. This is going to be a sizeable investment, so take as much time as you need to really research the features of all the beds you’re interested in. And most importantly, always make sure that when comparing costs, you’re comparing similar features.

Maintaining your indoor tanning bed is important also.

When you do make a purchase, make sure you understand how to properly maintain your unit. Doing so is going to help you protect your investment. In general, home tanning beds do not require a lot of maintenance. They need to be cleaned regularly, and you will need to replace the tanning bed bulbs as needed. It’s a good idea to have replacement bulbs on hand so there’s never any interruption in your tanning regime.

Ray Freez
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/home-tanning-beds-62422.html

Having a tan on the sea shore is a sheer fun. Many people are simply crazy about getting a suntan while staying along side the beach for couple of weeks.

Well, beach tanning is most preferred practice for attaining natural tan color. This type of tanning not only provides you with desired tan color but also offers you much needed rejuvenation. Your daily tight schedule often keeps you under stress. If you are on a beach tanning excursion, the rich tan color with the natural ambiance would help you shed your stress.

In fact a good number of tanning salons and spas are being run along side the beaches to help in your quest of gaining natural tan through direct sun exposure. But ladies! You must take necessary protection before lying naked along side beaches for sun tan. You are needed to protect your genitals and breasts from direct ultraviolet exposure. Sun tan lotion must be massaged on the body for keeping the body moist during a sun tanning session.

Perfect time for beach tanning is late morning hours. Before 10 AM, you can undergo a naked tanning session. Otherwise you need a canopy to undergo safe sun tanning. To safe guard your eyes against the sun, you must always put on sun glasses in the sun.

A tanning session must not exceed an hour. Over exposure often result in skin complications. Some tanning maniacs have ended up developing skin cancer due to overexposure. So beware of all possible harmful effects that you may face as an outcome of unsafe tanning.

A beach tanning session also requires you to keep providing your body with enough of liquids to save yourself from dehydration. Skin dehydration should be specifically taken care of. For that, you may use certain lotions that keep your skin hydrated. Lotions that come with SPF formula are much preferred.

All products that you are likely to use during beach tanning sessions must be of high standard. A dermatologist’s approval is desirable for the lotion and creams that you are using during the period. A couple of week’s stay at beach would be enough for attaining a tan that may last for long period.

Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/beach-tanning-a-sheer-fun-tan-experience-82828.html

The sun has a tough competition now and hereafter. His monopoly in the area of tanning is fiercely questioned. The indoor tanning industry is marching ahead to an unprecedented boom. It is a gigantic business in USA with over 20,000 tanning salons being opened and established since 1970.

Indoor tanning basically encashed heavily on the research findings that proved sun tanning is bad for the skin. It is proven that unsafe tanning can take you to the level of cancer.

But the indoor salon tanners have a strong case to defend themselves. They argue that ultraviolet rays cause the skin cancer only in the case of a skin burn. Only a small amount of rays is required to get the tan and hence there is no danger of the skin cancer. They are emphatic in their views and the boom continues unabated.

But the battle of wits and facts rages the tanning subject. American Academy of Dermatology and the American Medical Association warn you against both the sun tan and the indoor tan, especially for the cosmetic purposes!

They demand that the facility should not be extended to minors. No person or salon should claim a safe tan. A warning should be displayed at a conspicuous place at the salon giving the details of the hazards of tanning.

But the actual ground realities are different. Studies have revealed that young women visit the tanning salons, just for the sake of beauty. They feel that tan looks attractive. In several States of USA, tanning is legally banned, but the laws are lenient and even those are not strictly applied. With the will to implementation lacking, the laws do not serve any purpose.

So, prevention of unsafe tanning has become a social responsibility. Local and State level medical associations, parents and teachers need to come forward to take the lead to educate the younger generation about the harmful effects of wrongful tanning practice.

Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/tanning-salons-can-successfully-spread-safe-tanning-culture-72781.html

The modern advent of tanning beds meant that a healthy, glowing tan was no longer relegated exclusively to the summer. Suddenly a year long tan was possible – and achievable. Tanning beds delivered the positive feelings of the natural sun regardless of the weather. And for a small fee, you could spend up to fifteen glorious minutes warm and toasty under the glow of the lights – and leave feeling healthy and vibrant.

When we expose ourselves to natural sunlight, we expose ourselves to a combination of ultraviolet light known as UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays – the longer wavelengths of the sunlight – reach our deepest layers of skin; UVB rays – the shorter wavelengths – affect our top layer of skin. Tanning beds – as an alternative – put out a lesser combination of UVA and UVB rays – increasing the opportunity for tanning while minimizing exposure to dangerous rays.

The danger comes from overexposure to both UVA and UVB rays – although UVB rays are considered infinitely more dangerous. Tanning beds offer 40% less exposure to UVB rays. However, this does not in any way mean that you are completely protected. If you absolutely must tan – if you are fair skinned it is recommended that you not tan at all – it is important to do so responsibly. In order to minimize your risk of sun damage – the early aging of skin, including wrinkling, and various skin cancers, including melanoma – it is absolutely essential to use lotions that offer your skin at least partial protection against UV rays.

The dangers being said, the joys of tanning beds are self-evident. Tanning beds offer convenience – a way to achieve the glow and vitality of summer all year long. And a way to achieve that look in virtually half the time it takes to tan outdoors. Tanning beds can deliver the warmth and good feelings of a summer day even in the cold of winter; and, if nothing else, allow you a few minutes of solitary relaxation for a heavenly fifteen minutes.

Michelle Bery
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-joys-and-sorrows-of-tanning-beds-123728.html

If you own a tanning bed, it is just a matter of time before you need tanning bed parts. Tanning bed parts must be routinely changed out to ensure the continued proper operation of the tanning bed. These parts can get costly if you aren’t careful. For this reason, it is in your best interest to find cheap sources for the parts – before you need them. It is also essential that you know how to change the parts yourself!

The most common parts of the tanning bed that must be changed are the lamps. They burn out over time – just like light bulbs. You can purchase lamps for your bed from the dealer, and if your bed is still under warranty, a representative will usually come out to replace the lamps. However, you will get a much lower price on the lamps if you purchase them through a wholesale tanning supply company. This is how your dealer buys them, and they buy in bulk. You should also buy your lamps in bulk for even more savings!

When you are ready to purchase lamps, you need to know the make and model of your bed. With this information, you can easily find a wholesale company online that sells to the public. Simply use their wizard to find the lamps that you need – using the make and model of your bed. If you are unsure of the make and model, look at the lamps that are currently in your bed. There should be written information somewhere on the lamp. This information will identify the type of lamp that your bed requires.

Fans also need to be replaced – but not nearly as often as the lamps do. Fans can be purchased in bulk, but because these parts won’t be changed very often, it really isn’t necessary. Fans that aren’t working properly can damage both the bed and your skin! If you have a fan that isn’t working properly, don’t use the bed until you get it replaced!

Acrylic shields will eventually have to be replaced. They typically last about 10,000 hours. That is 10,000 hours of usage – when the bed is in operation. Nicks and scratches on the surface of the acrylic shield can be dangerous as it allows more UV rays to seep through – and depending on how bad the nicks and scratches are, they may also allow heat to seep through!

Changing parts isn’t nearly as difficult as you might imagine. In most cases, instructions for changing common parts can be found in the owner’s manual. If you cannot locate these instructions, contact your dealer, and have them send a representative out to teach you how to change specific parts such as lamps, fans, and acrylic shields. This is a service that they should provide, but if they don’t – go to them. Literally go to the dealership and find a nice salesman who will show you how to change these common parts.

When you clean the bed, this is a good time to do a routine maintenance as well. Check all parts of the bed to ensure that everything looks okay, and that it is operating properly. Routine inspections, cleaning, and maintenance will help lengthen the life of your bed. Tanning beds are affordable now days, but they are still a high ticket investment that most people cannot afford to make too often. Take the time to make sure that your tanning bed remains in great condition!

The bed should be cleaned after each use. Use a sanitizer that is designed for use on indoor tanning beds. The container that the cleanser comes in should state that it is safe to use on indoor tanning beds – specifically. Using other types of cleaners, which are not designed for indoor tanning beds – will damage the acrylic shields!

Always check the refund and exchange policy of the wholesale company or of a dealership before making a purchase of tanning bed parts – whether the purchase is made online or offline. Sometimes, the wrong part arrives, or it arrives in less than perfect shape. You need to be able to return it for a refund, or return it for an exchange!

Trevor Mulholland
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/tanning-bed-parts-could-be-costly-if-youre-not-careful-11104.html

When it comes to tanning bed bulbs, many tanning bed owners are unsure as to which tanning bed bulbs they should purchase. This information is easily found, using several different methods. Many owners are afraid of purchasing the wrong bulbs, and instead rely on their tanning bed dealer to get them the correct bulbs, and in many cases, they even rely on the dealer to come to their location to install the bulbs! As a tanning bed owner, this is a bad dependency to have.

First, as a tanning bed owner, you should be able to change your own bulbs, and do general maintenance on your tanning bed. This is true whether you are a home tanning bed owner or a tanning salon owner. You will find that knowing how to properly maintain your bed will save you a ton of money in the long run – and you won’t have to depend on a dealer that may or may not still be in business in the future!

Determining what bulbs you need is really very easy, and it can be done in one of several ways. First, you can simply ask your dealer what brand and type of bulbs he or she is using in your bed. Write the information down. Another option is to consult your owner’s manual. The third option is to get the information off of the bulbs that are currently in your tanning bed. The information about the brand and type of bulb is printed in very small letters near the end of the bulbs. Again, write the information down. A final option is to simply know exactly what make and model your tanning bed is.

Not all bulbs will work for all tanning beds. Therefore, wholesalers of bulbs can easily determine which bulbs you need, based on the bed that you own. Many of the wholesalers who have websites even offer a ‘lamp wizard’ on their website to help you determine which bulbs you need for your bed – again, the information is determined by entering in information about your bed….mainly the make and model of the bed. Once you determine which bulbs you need, write the information down, and put it in a safe place. This way, the next time you need bulbs, you won’t have to go searching for that information.

Once you know which bulbs you need, you will save money by finding a wholesale tanning supplier. These suppliers are really very easy to find. Simply do a search for wholesale tanning supplies with any search engine. Most of the better wholesale suppliers will sell bulbs for all makes and models. Ordering the bulbs in bulk – by the case – will save you even more money in most cases. Many wholesalers even sell light kits, which will give you replacement bulbs for your whole bed, as opposed to just one light.

You will simply just need to enter in the make and model of your bed, choose how many bulbs you want to purchase, and then enter in your payment details and shipping information in most cases. Many wholesalers offer free shipping, especially for large orders. You can also find wholesalers that offer free tanning lotion with each purchase!

Purchasing bulbs through a wholesaler is quite safe. This is how your dealer purchases the bulbs – before marking the price up. In most cases, you will find that your bulbs arrive in a very short time, and in perfect shape. However, it is important to find a wholesaler who has a money back guarantee, or at the very least an exchange policy that protects you against damaged bulbs. Most of the reputable wholesalers will offer guarantees, and will have refund and exchange policies in place. Make sure that you read those policies before making your purchase!

Again, tanning bed bulbs should not become an investment that is as large as the investment you made in the tanning bed in the first place! Dealers simply charge too much for the bulbs, and you can buy them yourself through a wholesaler – and you can even change the bulbs yourself! Break the dependency you have on your dealer – and save money in the process. In the long run, you will be very glad that you did!

Trevor Mulholland
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/tanning-bed-bulbs-should-you-replace-them-yourself-10890.html