ForeverWed Bridal Beauty Expert 

With summer around the corner, you can expect outdoor weddings to be a frequent theme with brides during these sun-filled months.  The beauty of landscape in full bloom lends itself as a lovely backdrop to that special bridal glow, as well as the romantic setting.  One of the major beauty issues (and concerns) brides have at this time of year is the tanning topic: whether or not to tan, and if so, should it be done by radiation or chemical?  Sounds kind of scary when you put it in those technical terms but indeed, this is a process that is accomplished only by one of two ways (and one with potentially grave consequences).  Lets take a closer look at these methods and find out how they stack up in the long run.

The appearance of the famous "Bain de Soleil" suntanned lady in those television commercials of the past is still outdated today for the most part, thanks to widespread public education from the medical society about the risks of solar tanning.   If there are women out there still ignorantly sunning themselves with the baby oil and reflecting mirrors then they are probably turning a deaf ear to this important knowledge by choice.  It has long been a cornerstone quest in my profession to further the indoctrination about the dangers of sun exposure, and any of you that have read my previously published articles about skin care know my strong stance on this subject.  If I could force all brides to glimpse their future faces through a UV Detect camera (manufactured by Faraghan Medical Camera Systems) before they undertook a suntanning regimen, it would reveal to them the sun damage already in place, but still invisible to the eye.  Hyperpigmentation, liver spots, mottling, and small lesions (called solar keratoses) where skin will eventually crinkle and precursor to cancer could be seen through this camera.   The bad news is not only is this damage already done now, but in a few years they will show up on the surface for good.  This is the reality of the price you pay for that carefully cultivated tan through radiation.

So why do women quest for that golden glow?  For one thing, tanned skin is perceived as looking very "sexy" against a white or ivory gown in a romantic garden style wedding.  There is a psychological sense to them of appearing younger, healthier, even thinner.  Some brides feel that tanning their faces also allows them to go without foundation and powder, and helps to make their eyes brighter with the contrast in skin color.  Tanned skin is also synonymous with swimsuit wear in our society.   For some reason it seems that vanity outweighs common sense in this issue, especially during sunny summer months!

Whether you choose to tan by the sun, or a salon that has tanning beds or booths, the radiation damage is the same, as the body makes no distinction between natural or artificial UV Rays.  Nor is indoor tanning safer than outdoor tanning.  There is medical evidence through studies that suggest that indoor tanning actually increases the risk of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, because of the concentration of UV on the skin from the lamps.   In simple terms, a tan from UVA and UVB radiation is an injury to skin, forcing the melanocyte cells to release a brown protective pigment.  At the same time, the collagen and elastin fiber network structures that keeps skin supple and taut is irreversibly weakened, and contributes to sagging skin.  Science has yet to find a remedy for this kind of destruction.    You could also make the comparison that the golden hue of sun-kissed skin can is not much different than the purple and blue of a bruised skin, as both are results of an injury!

With all this in mind, you are probably thinking that pale is not exactly the complimentary wedding shade of choice in your summer color scheme either, so what is a bride to do in such a quandary?  What could possibly be worse if the only alternative is a chemical tan?  There is good news!   You can actually "have your cake and eat it too" with color from a tube!  The most sensible way to put a little bronze to the skin is through that golden glow available by the sunless self tanners available on the market today.   Today's formulas are much more technologically advanced than the orangy/pink tones of the past.  The results are natural and believable skin colors, as if you spent days on the beach or by the pool.  The best part of all is that self-tanners are totally safe, and a healthy way to get a tanned look to skin  The active ingredient in self tanners is dihydroxyacetone, a natural sugar that binds to proteins on the epidermis (the outermost layer) and stains it.  As the cell layers of the epidermis naturally slough away, the stain fades in the same way a tan from the sun fades.

Self tanners can also work a little bit of visual concealing magic on skin areas that have problems such as surface capillaries, varicose veins, and redness due to breakouts or scars, but beware that hyperpigmentation (such as liver spots, freckles, skin mottling, etc.) contains more skin pigment than the surrounding areas, so they will soak in more of the tanning solution.  The best way to avoid staining hyperpigmentation is to apply a bit of thick moisturizer or petroleum jelly to these areas to prevent tanning solution absorption.  It is important to understand here that self tanners are not a form of sunscreen!  Don’t be fooled into thinking that they can protect you from the sun's burning rays, you MUST use a separate sunscreen on your newly acquired chemical tan to prevent sunburn and damage.

So what is the rule of thumb in choosing the right self tanning color for your skin tone?  I would suggest that you avoid the deeper shades that would make you look harsh and fake, but rather stay in the range that allows you to go at least two steps darker than your skin tone so it looks more natural.  Before you apply this product to your skin, make sure that you exfoliate the areas of your body that will be "tanned", and be sure those areas dry thoroughly before application.  Once you find your desired results, you can maintain the color with regular applications spaced according to the rate of fading.  If prepared and used properly, self tanners can give you that bronzed beauty look for your romantic outdoor wedding.  And, it may convince you in the long run that chemical tans can be just as natural looking and long lasting as a radiation tan, but with none of the serious consequences.