Tanning Lotion

Unlike sunscreen or what is commonly called suntan lotion, indoor tanning lotion is designed to amplify the effects of ultraviolet rather than block them. more...

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This is usually accomplished by using ingredients that promote the production of melanin (including using actual melanin as an ingredient) or by increasing the blood flow to the skin, thereby increasing the amount of melanin that is brought to the top layers of the skin. Indoor tanning lotions contain no sunscreen and offer no protection from the sun.

Tingle Factor

Tingle is the defacto standard description for indoor tanning lotions that contain ingredients that increase blood flow at the skin level. This is because the ingredients actually tingle, to one degree or another. The science behind the concept is more theory than proof, but it is usually accomplished using irritants or chemicals that cause a reddening sensation, flushing the users skin.

People react differently to the ingredients, and one lotion that has no tingle effect on one person may cause mild pain in another. This is why it is impossible to create a system of rating tingle that is objective. Some companies do offer ratings that offer some guidance to the consumer, but it is not standardized. Most companies produce lotions with and without ingredients that tingle, as many do not prefer this method of tan enhancement or find it uncomfortable.

Bronzers

Many indoor tanning lotions now contain bronzers, usually DHA. This is usually combined with other ingredients to help tanning. This is somewhat different that the use of DHA in sunless tanning, as the goal is to give the user immediate color but they are not avoiding ultraviolet exposure. This is seen somewhat as cheating, or jump starting the tanning process. Often the bronzing lotions are combined with other ingredients to give them tingle (Hot Bronzers) or cooling agents like menthol to make them Cool Bronzers.

Ingredients

Some of the active ingredients found in common tanning lotions include melanin and L-Tyrosine. Other commonly found ingredients include tea oil, copper (in many different chemical compounds), green tea extract and many other natural oils. Ingredients vary widely from brand to brand.

Most products come in 8 to 9 oz bottles, although some come in 16.9 oz (500ml) or larger for wholesale salons. The user typically uses between .5 and 1.0 ounces per tanning session, spreading liberally over all exposed areas.

While fragrance offers no advantage in tanning, it is often one of the most critical elements in which brand a person prefers. This is because most people use tanning lotions in a tanning bed, which a closed environment, so the aroma of the lotion is much more pronounced than lotions used outdoors. To some, the right lotion will have aromatherapy benefits.

Read more at Wikipedia.org