SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. All sunscreens are given a number between 4 and 30, so you’ll have to determine which one is best for you. Most dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15. However, the level of protection a person needs is usually based upon her tanning history and skin tone. For example, people with pale complexions who should shoot for a SPF of 30, while people with darker complexions may need a SPF of as little as 4. To be safe, it’s always best to ask a pharmacist which SPF would work best for you. And since most drugstores have pharmacists, you can get this info for free.

While most people apply sunscreen and sunblock together, they are actually very different products that are intended for different uses. Sunscreen is a cream or lotion that is SPF-rated. It reacts with the skin to create an invisible barrier against the sun. The strength of the barrier is determined by the SPF number. The lower the number, the less protection. Most sunscreens should be applied 20 minutes before you go outside so they have time to work. Using a sunscreen will not prevent you from tanning, but it will lower your risk of getting burned.

Sunblock doesn’t have an SPF, because it protects the body from all UV rays. Usually, sunblock is a thick cream that should contain zinc oxide (the white gunk you sometimes see people put on their noses). Here’s where it gets tricky: Some sunscreens with SPF numbers of 15 or higher are erroneously referred to as sunblocks. If you want a sunblock, don’t buy a package with an SPF listed, because a true sunblock won’t need it.

I hope this info helped some of you to decipher between the two types of suntan lotions and which one if any is right for you this summer. Have fun and be safe this summer!

In the shower on the morning you wish to go tanning, specifically indoor tanning, you must use an exfoliant. Exfoliation is extremely important to the overall effectiveness of tanning in a tanning bed. By exfoliating the skin we are able to wash away dry, dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface. Shaving is also an excellent way to “exfoliate” because the razor gets rid of excess dry skin cells as well. Exfoliation is important because it rids dry skin, which can interfere with the tanning process, and also prevents flaking of the skin.

If you have an exercise routine it is a good idea to work out before going tanning. Something with the blood flow and increased circulation, it helps your skin with producing the melanin.

After your shower and exfoliation it is important to moisturize. At this stage, most any moisturizer will work. Moisturizers are most effective on moist, still wet skin, which is why you should immediately apply lotion after stepping out of the shower. This way, it will absorb better into the skin and your skin will retain moisture for longer. This is an important step before tanning because moist skin gets the most effective tanning results. I would like to recommend something with dead sea salts in it, that is my preference.

When you first start tanning you have to start out with a mild tanning lotion such as a bronzer, I like Black Night, Cafe Bronzer and Paint it Black but there are many more out there. Check out my others articles about choosing different types of tanning lotion.

After you develop a base tan you can start my special technique of using a good bronzer of your choice and just applying a little bit of a tingle lotion on your arms and legs and other trouble spots that don’t get as tan as the rest of your body.

Finally the last step is to use, not a sunless tanner but more specifically Jergens Natural Glow. It works wonders in trouble areas that don’t tan as well, such as under the neck and shoulders and under your arms and arm pits. It also tops off your perfect tan with a beautiful brown glow but don’t worry it isn’t even that noticeable just as long as you don’t go overboard with it.

Good Luck with everything and please feel free to leave me a comment about your experiences or about my blog.