Sunless tanning is a practical alternative to sunbathing. Find out how sunless tanning products work, their risks and the way to get a natural-looking tan.

You might think you have to choose: Expose your skin to the sun's damaging rays to get a coveted tan, or avoid the sun and miss out on that sun-kissed glow. But you have another option — sunless tanning products from ‘Brown Me’.

Sunless tanning products, also called self-tanners or tanning extenders, can give your skin a tanned look without exposing it to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Though generally recognised as safe, sunless tanning products do carry some risks, depending on how they're used and applied.

Sunless tanning products no longer cause an orange-brown, streaky appearance. Today the products offer an even, natural-looking tan if they're applied correctly and carefully. For best results, follow these tips:

• Depending on the occasion - Choose a light or medium-toned product, which tends to look more natural.
• Before using the product, wash and exfoliate your skin with a wash cloth sponge or exfoliating glove to remove excess dead skin cells. Women should shave their legs for an even application.
• Apply the sunless tanning product evenly and lightly. Use less product on dry skin or thickened skin, such as over your ankles, knees and elbows. These areas tend to absorb more product.
• After you apply the product to your face and body, wash your hands with soap and water to avoid colouring your palms. Be sure to remove any product from under your fingernails. Then use a cotton ball to apply the sunless tanner to the top of each hand.
• To prevent staining your clothes, wait to dress until the sunless tanner dries completely, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Most sunless tanning products don't contain a sunscreen and, therefore, don't protect your skin from sun damage. If you spend time outdoors, be sure to apply a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 before going outside.

Sunless tanning products are commonly sold as creams, gels, lotions and sprays you apply to your skin. The active ingredient in most sunless tanning products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA).

When applied to your skin, DHA reacts with dead cells in the outermost layer of skin to temporarily darken the skin's appearance. The colouring doesn't wash off, but it gradually fades as the dead skin cells slough off. In most cases, the colour is completely gone after five to seven days.

What can you expect from sunless tanning products?

Sunless tanning products typically go on clear, and you might see results after about an hour. Full colour appears within eight to 24 hours. Some products contain a tint, which darkens your skin right away.

Besides home products, spray-on tanning is available at salons, spas and tanning businesses. These professional applications can provide an even, full-body tan.

Is sunless tanning safe?

Sunless tanning products are generally regarded as safe alternatives to sunbathing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers DHA safe when applied to your skin.

What are the possible risks?

Spray-on tanning or mist-on tanning from a salon or spa is typically applied to all parts of your body — including your face — to ensure an even colour. This creates a potential for the product to get into and around your eyes, near your nostrils or onto your lips.

The risks, if any, of inhaling or ingesting DHA are unknown, so close your eyes and hold your breath while the tanner is applied. You may also want to request or bring along protective devices, such as goggles or nose plugs.

Are tanning pills safe?

Sunless tanning pills are unsafe and aren't approved by the FDA. Sunless tanning pills contain large amounts of the colour additive canthaxanthin. When taken in large amounts, canthaxanthin settles in parts of your body, including your skin. It can turn your skin orange to brown and can cause canthaxanthin retinopathy, the formation of crystals in the retina of the eye. Tanning pills can also cause nausea, cramps and diarrhea. You will not see tanning pills being sold on "Brown Me".