The use of indoor tanning lotions is on the rise these days. We all know that no matter how careful we are no one is entirely safe from sunburn and UV exposure. Many of us believe that the benefits from using lotions outweigh the risks in other options for getting that nice bronze look.

As far as sunbathing goes, the energy from the sun eventually penetrates deeply into the skin and causes damage to the DNA of the skins cells and sometimes causes skin cancer. People with brown skin are more likely to develop skin cancer on the lighter areas of their bodies, which includes the palms and fingers. A fair skinned person can burn in as little as 15 minutes.

If you spend too much time in the heat without enough water there is an added risk of heat stroke. Those who lay out in the sun need to watch their skin for spots or other unusual signs, like a blister that doesn’t seem to heal.

The same is true for tanning booths which can be very dangerous to someone who does not have experience with them, especially if they are fair skinned and sun sensitive. Some of the settings on the beds will fry you as badly as the sun ever could.

Tanning pills are not very popular and in the past have not worked that well. They have high levels of coloring agents that may color the iris or even cause hepatitis.

Some people go to a tanning place or salon to have their skin airbrushed. It is a customized approach , but is going to cost upwards of $30.

The same is true of a Mystic Tan where you strip and step into a booth where a mist machine sprays you back and front in about one minute. The added risk about spray-tan booths is inhaling the fumes.

Tanning sprays are a good choice for older people who may have trouble getting to those hard-to-reach spots like the backs of legs. They have alcohol in them so be careful not to spray your eyes.

Men, because of your extra body hair, gels and foams work best.

Another DIY tanning option is a bronzer which is like a cosmetic. When it is applied it stains your skin and stays on until you take a shower. Keep in mind that even if your skin is colored brown by a self-tanner, it does not protect against skin cancer, so protect yourself with a sunscreen if you'll be outdoors a lot.

Tanning lotions are a longer lasting alternative that can last close to a week depending on how quickly your replace your dead skin cells. Most self-tanners contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a sugar that interacts with dead cells in the uppermost layer of skin. The sugar changes the color of those cells and the color disappears as your body naturally gets rid of them.

In many cases, your tan actually looks more natural than laying out in the sun for hours because it can turn out more even and smooth. Also, you don’t have to worry about the tan lines of your fancy bathing suit. But the more important benefit of an indoor tanning lotion is the safety from avoiding exposure to harsh sunlight.

In the case of a professional tanner like bodybuilders, they are well aware that a good lotion will help their skin keep its youthful vibrant look, minimize fine lines and wrinkles, develop and maintain a world class tan while rehydrating their skin and replenishing the lost moisture.

Some advice for not getting those uneven stripes is to take a shower before beginning and exfoliate head-to-toe to get rid of any dry skin, then moisturize parts that tend to absorb too much lotion, like knees and elbows. After that to apply, start at top or bottom and go over every area evenly and thoroughly, overlapping the strokes.

When you use the least expensive brands of lotions gels, sprays or towelettes, many times they will have a heavy scent that you don’t have with the high-end brands like Hoss and others. One other point is that most wear off from 3 to 7 days.