There are many things you can eat that will help you tan faster. There are also home-made lotions and oils you can create to accelerate your tan. The best part is you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on tanning memberships or lotions.
WHAT IS MELANIN?The main substance associated with tanning is MELANIN. Living among the cells in the inner layer of skin is a type of cell called melanocytes which produce melanin. Melanin is the source of the golden brown color we call a "tan". Skin color differences are due solely to the amount of melanin produced and the nature of the pigment granules. Ultraviolet light, which is light from the sun, actually stimulates melanin product. The melanin then absorbs the UV in the sunlight to protect other cells from UV damage. Melanin production takes several hours which is why most people don't get a tan in one day, unless they're out for more than a few hours. By repeating this process over the next 5 to 7 days, pigment or a "tan" builds up in your cells to a level that actually HELPS protect you from the sun. So a natural sun-tan in MODERATION, is actually good for your skin and protects the body from cancer and UV damage, which is somewhat ironic considering most people think the sun is harmful and creates cancer. But actually, it helps us develop natural barriers to it's harmful effects - only in moderation of course. | eating to tan betterThere are foods that increase the melanin in our skin and shortens the time needed to develop a dark tan.
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natural tan accelerators
Tanning Accelerators or Boosters can be very expensive. Here are a few recipes that contain ingredients which help moisturize the skin and accelerate the tan.
GREEN TEA + SESAME OIL
COCONUT OIL
Another natural oil that is beneficial to the skin and good to use as a tanning oil is coconut oil. During tanning the oil protects your skin from sun damage and acts as a barrier to hold in moisture. It also nourishes the skin and smells very good.
GREEN TEA + SESAME OIL
- Boil 2 cups of distilled water in a pot.
- Add 1-2 green tea bags which rid skin of impurities and provide a mild UV Barrier.
- Remove pot from heat and let tea brew for 20 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags and pour half the tea into a blender.
- Pour 1/4 cup of lanolin into the blender. It provides natural UV protection.
- Pour 1 teaspoon of sesame oil into the blender. It accelerates your tan as it darkens when exposed to light.
- Blend it all then apply to skin before going outside to tan.
COCONUT OIL
Another natural oil that is beneficial to the skin and good to use as a tanning oil is coconut oil. During tanning the oil protects your skin from sun damage and acts as a barrier to hold in moisture. It also nourishes the skin and smells very good.