Sun Tan Lotions
Find out how tanning lotions manage to achieve the desired results and the precautions that you should take when trying to get a sun tan…
Some people tend to mistake tanning lotion with sunscreen. In truth however both these perform opposite functions. Whereas sunscreen is meant to give you protection from the harmful rays of the sun, tanning lotion on the other hand is meant to amplify the effect of the very same UV rays that sunscreen is supposed to protect you against.
Tanning lotion works its wonders on the skin due to certain special ingredients that promote the melanin production in the skin. Some tanning lotions actually make use of melanin itself to achieve this purpose. Another reaction that the tanning lotion has is that it increases the blood flow under the skin. The melanin production naturally increases as a result of the increased blood flow. It is gradually forced to the upper most layers of the skin there by having a tanning effect on the body.
There are basically two different kinds of tanning lotions. One is the tanning lotion that is specifically formulated to be used on the outdoors. This specially formulated tanning lotion does achieve its purpose and also protects the skin against the damage that the UV rays of the sun have the potential to cause. The other kind of tanning lotion is specifically for indoor use. Such tanning lotions do not have the qualities of sunscreen in them
The tingling sensation
Indoor tanning lotions promote the blood flow at the level of the skin. This effect is known as the tingle factor. The process gets its name due to the tingling sensation that it arouses in the skin when the ingredients of the tanning lotion start to take action.
The science behind the use of indoor tanning lotions is slightly dubious. In fact it would be far more appropriate to term it as a theory rather than established empirical scientific evidence. The reddening of the skin, which is the target of these tanning lotions, is actually accomplished by making use of chemicals and irritants which in our everyday life we would want to avoid making contact with.
Chemical reactions and the alternative
The skin on each individual has varying sensitivity to different substances. This is the reason why tanning lotion has a different reaction on different individuals. In some cases a particular tanning lotion would give an individual a slight and bearable tingle for the tan but the same lotion could be a source of severe pain to another individual with different skin properties.
The difference in the physical characteristics and level of sensitivity to different chemicals is the reason why there is no objective conclusive argument regarding the tingle factor. You will find some companies to be displaying tingle ratings that are catered to guide the interested customer. These ratings are however not at all standardized but are more of the company’s own creation.
Since a lot of people are skeptical regarding the tingle factor companies have begun to produce such tanning lotions that are void of the tingling sensation. This has given them a broader market share and more people are now willing to try out these tanning lotions that don’t tingle to the extent of becoming a source of discomfort.