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Wedding Planning
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Bridal Beauty:
Bronzed, Tanned, Golden Glow: Looking For That Sun-Kissed Look Of
Summer
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Answers to your most important bridal planning
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Bronzed, Tanned, Golden Glow:
Looking For That Sun-Kissed Look Of Summer
By Suzanne Patterson
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television commercials of the past is still outdated today for the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.
What if you are looking only for an added subtle warmth to the skin
tone for a day or evening wedding, without significant time and
preparation for the results? Look into the use of bronzing powders,
tinted moisturizers, and even using foundations that are one or two
shades darker than your skin tone. These products can give you the
temporary highlights of a sun-kissed color without looking artificial,
if applied correctly. If you are not sure how to use these products
effectively, it would be well worth your time and investment (and the
end result for your bridal beauty look) in discussing these options
with a professional makeup artist for guidance and tips in how to
apply them. A bridal consultation with a makeup artist not only
insures that you achieve that perfect bronzed glow to skin with these
temporary products, but they can suggest a complimentary color palette
for lips cheeks and eyes that harmonize with your faux tan.
Whatever your choice for that healthy summer glow, be sure that you
maintain good daily skin care, and sunscreen protection for all
outdoor exposure and activity. This will go a long way to stem the
tide for future damage, and preserve your skin's natural beauty from
premature aging.
This article is the exclusive property of Suzanne Patterson and
Creative Artistry & FX. It may not be duplicated, copied, or otherwise
reproduced
without her expressed written permission.
Copyright© Creative Artistry & FX
2000,2001 All Rights Reserved.
Questions about makeup and skin care? Visit with Suzanne on
www.creativeartistryfx.com, or email her at CreativeArtistry@aol.com |
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