JUNE NEWSLETTER

 

Good afternoon to all of our albino friends! Welcome to this month’s edition of the ISS newsletter. This month’s topic will discuss self-tanning products.

Self-Tanners, New and Improved

Self-tanning products are one of the most successful cosmetics on the market. There is a great deal of new technology that makes these products better than ever before. The old days of streaky orange “fake tans” are a thing of the past. A well applied self-tanner can give a very natural looking tan for several days.

The self-tanners are now formulated with silicone, which helps the material to spread over the skin better. There are several different emulsions, including sprays, lotions, and mousse, which also help you obtain an even application.

Self-tanning products on the market today all contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA.) Concentrations vary from 2-10 percent. Most self-tanning products contain a concentration of 5 percent. As the percent of DHA increases, so does the amount of chemical reaction, resulting in a darker color, thus the “light tan” and “dark tan” labels on various products.

Dihydroxyacetone reacts with the amine groups of the proteins in the skin to produce a by product which has a natural tan-induced color.  This reaction takes 2-3 hours to develop on the skin.

Once the coloration has occurred, it will remain and resist washing off, since it is part of the skin cell’s protein structure.  The color eventually fades as the cells are eliminated through desquamation and exfoliation.  It usually takes from 5-6 days for the tan to completely disappear.

Studies have shown that the DHA stays in the dead layer of skin known as the stratum corneum and is not absorbed systemically.

How to apply self-tanner

The most important thing to do prior to putting on the self-tanner is to exfoliate. Scrubbing with a  loofah, puff, or washcloth will do the job.  Use any exfoliating agent that you feel comfortable with and pay special attention to your neck, elbows, knees, and ankles.  This will help achieve a uniform, non streaky appearance, as you may have more dead thickened skin in the aforementioned areas.  Make sure you exfoliate well but not enough to cause irritation. Remember also to shave the day before (rather than the day you are using the product), as those shaved areas can also become irritated.  After exfoliating, rinse the skin off thoroughly, to remove any soapy residue.

An interesting fact is that the pH of the skin before application of the product can affect the color tone of the skin. For example, if tanner is applied to skin that has been washed with a very alkaline soap (a lot of bar soaps are very alkaline) the resultant color may be more yellow-orangey than brownish.  It is speculated that rinsing the skin well with an acidic pH toner (which can neutralize any alkaline residue) prior to using the tanner may give better results.

Next, apply a thin layer of moisturizer. This step helps the self-tanner to glide on better. Some people like to mix the self-tanner with a moisturizer, but unless you mix it precisely, streaking may occur.

 Let your skin completely dry prior to putting on the tanner. The product can be applied using your fingertips, or a small cosmetic sponge or cotton ball. Do one small area at a time, and try to spread the self-tanner evenly.  Remember that self-tanner can stain, so make sure you wait for the product to dry before putting on your clothes. Wash your hands immediately after using the self-tanner, or you will have tanned palms!  Do not exercise or swim for at least three hours. Sweat prior to the chemical reaction taking place (3 hours) can cause the product to streak.

Spray tans utilize the same product (DHA) and allow for even application of the product. Just cover your eyes, nose, and don’t inhale. (Isn’t that what Bill Clinton said…)

Self tanners also have a relatively short shelf life, as DHA breaks down to formaldehyde and formic acid.  It needs to be kept in a cool, dry place.  Interestingly, the coloration of the skin from self tanner does provide a small amount of UVA protection, but no UVB protection. Self-tanners are a safe and reasonable alternative for patients.  They give you a nice “tan” and avoid the consequences of UVA and UVB sun damage and risk for skin cancer.

Just remember that the “fake bake” does not provide ample protection against UVA and UVB.  Bottom line… you still need to wear sun block!

(Reference used: Baran, R., & Maibach, H. (2005). Textbook of Cosmetic Dermatology; United Kingdom: Taylor and Francis Group.)

We would love to hear from our patients as to which self-tanners they have used with success. In the future we will be conducting some informal personal testing on various products. Keep posted for the results.  Email us if you are interested in being a tester and submitting your opinions.

June Skin Care Special
 
We are offering a Microdermabrasion of the face and neck for only $65 for the month of June!
Look great for those weddings and graduation parties, with glowing and healthy skin. Treat your face and neck to a great  rejuvenation treatment...call us today at 816.505.5550.

We are also offering a special discount on Prevage MD anti-aging treatment. This antioxidant product, when used with sunblock, can help to reverse the signs of skin aging. We are offering Prevage MD for over 10% off  in the month of June! Regular price of Prevage MD is  $115, and we are offering it for $100!

Stop by the office and pick up your Prevage MD and sunblock…and just say hello!

 

 

Sincerely,

 

The Staff at Integrated Skin Solutions- “Where looking good is understood!”

 

7424 NW River Park Drive (Hwy 9)

Parkville, MO 64152-5028

816.505.5550 Fax 816.505.4550

www.integratedskin.com

Questions or comments- info@integratedskin.com