Use A Tan Accelerator

A tan accelerator is another method of replicating the effects of the sun on the skin and the resultant tan that follows a sunburn. As we are all too well aware, the dangers of baking our skin in the sun are frighteningly real and it simply isn’t worth the risk of skin cancer just to get a tan.

In the early days of sunless tanning lotions you would run the risk of ending up with orange skin that marked you out as having obviously used a tanning lotion to get your tan. It is now possible to use a product known as a tan accelerator to speed up the tanning effects of the sun, or a tanning bed, so that you spend less time lying in the sun for the same results.

A tan accelerator works by increasing the production of a pigment protein called melanin that is naturally produced by the body. Melanin is produced by the skin as a protective measure whenever it is exposed to UV radiation. As the skin produces melanin it darkens forming what we know as a tan. If the body is exposed to too much UV radiation it overwhelms the melanin production and the result is sunburn.

A tan accelerator can be used in either lotion or pill form and they will most likely contain a substance that is known as psoralen.

Psoralen. This is an amino acid that is extracted from citrus oil. The amino acid stimulates the pigment cells causing them to produce an abundant supply of melanin when the UV rays are applied to the skin. Psoralen is actually found in limes and smothering the body in lime juice may be an option although a very sticky one – plus you would need a lot of limes before you have achieved the result you’re after.

There are a wide variety of tan accelerators available for sale, each with their own added benefits or edge that should convince you to buy them.

You can buy a tan accelerator by simply choosing the brand that you need from the selection to the right. They come in various sized bottles and they contain a varying level of Psoralen or another amino acid known as Tyrosine.

Some of the better tanning accelerators will also contain a mixture of Vitamin E, aloe vera and other ingredients that will help soothe the skin and protect it by adding moisture.

Don’t be fooled by some products that advertise on the side that they are an accelerator thinking that this means they contain the ingredients necessary to increase melanin production.

Some of the brands that you might want to consider when you come to buy a tan accelerator lotion include Body Drench Tan Fx Lotion, Decleor Aroma Sun Tan Accelerator, Body Drench Tan FX Dark Tan Accelerator by Folica. Not only can you buy tan accelerators for outdoor use, you can also buy tan accelerators for tanning bed use.

If you see a tanning accelerator that is also advertized as containing a bronzer lotion you should bear in mind that the bronzing part is merely a cosmetic addition.

It will add a little bit of color to the process that is being performed by the production of melanin. It is likely that the bronzer will wash out soon after use.

The obvious problem with using a tan accelerator isn’t the product itself but more down to the fact that in order for it to work you still have to expose yourself to UV rays. As the name suggests, a tan accelerator speeds up the effects of the sun and so, speeds up the tanning process. The use of a sunscreen inhibits the effectiveness of a tan accelerator, so people who use it decide to go out into the sun completely unprotected.

Psoralen is not a form of sunscreen so no matter how little time is spent in the sun, for a tan accelerator to work it is going to be a reasonable amount of time. This still puts you at risk of damaging your skin. The fact that the time spent is often completely sunscreen free opens up that possibility even wider.

You should be aware that for the reason stated above you should carefully weigh up your options before choosing to tan with a tan accelerator.

The price of these tan accelerators is very reasonable with a 10oz bottle likely to cost around $15. Make sure you read the ingredient list carefully to ensure the levels of psoralen or tyrosine are not too high and that the products also contain antioxidants and moisturizers to help maintain healthy skin throughout.