Casino Connection Atlantic City

How to Self-Tan

Taking care of your summer skin

by Dawn Marie Tienken

We can put on the prettiest dress, have our hair come out perfect, but if our skin looks bad, nothing will make us feel or look right.
Here are a few tricks to keep your skin looking its best for not only the summer months, but for many years to come.
The reason your skin is “patchy” or “blotchy” when you apply a self-tanner or makeup is that you need to exfoliate your skin.
Exfoliation is the step most people skip in their weekly skin care routine. But trust me, if you start properly exfoliating, you will notice an almost immediate difference. According to my research, one of the reasons men’s skin tends to look more youthful than women’s is because men exfoliate daily just by shaving their face. Pretty cool, but so not fair!
There are several ways we can exfoliate our skin: microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Facial and body scrubs work by removing the top layer of dead skin cells that tend to dull your complexion. Exfoliating your skin once a week (sometimes two) with a microdermabrasion kit keeps skin glowing year-round. If you decide to try this at home instead of seeking a professional (with which I think we should all pamper ourselves once a week or month), an “at-home kit” can do the trick.
Just keep this in mind when applying: make sure you use a gentle scrub with tiny grains in it. Big grains in cheap scrubs can tear the skin and cause more harm than good. One of my favorites is Neutrogena.
 Now, you are ready to start “self-tanning.” No doubt, having a tan makes us feel sexy, thin and healthy. Self-tanners can darken your skin for up to a week thanks to dihydroxyacetone, or DHA.
That’s why most women turn to self-tanners for their tans. UV Rays age skin faster than anything. If you want a flawless professional application and can afford the price, head to a spa or salon. For upwards of $60 you can get one of many exfoliation and professional applications of self-tanner, air-brush bronzing (where an esthetician sprays a fine mist of tanner over your entire body) or your least expensive option, “self-tanner in a bottle.” The trick? Do not put on any moisturizer before tanning your face or body. This can interfere with the tanner, which your skin won’t absorb evenly.
Believe it or not, the best way to prep your skin for an all-over-body tan is to exfoliate your skin gently before you get in the shower, with a loofah sponge. Swipe the loofah softly over your entire dry body, loosening the dead skin cells. Then while in the shower, with luke-warm water, continue with a gentle exfoliating scrub paying close attention to rough areas like knees and elbows. Shave before you tan. Just remember, no oils or moisturizing lotions in or out of the shower before tanning.
Tan or no tan, girls, you’re already a star!