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Tanning For Bodybuilders
Article care of ugsupplements.com
Catching The Rays
Tanned skin is very important to the bodybuilder. When you have busted your ass to get your physique looking good. Would your physique look better with tanned skin that shows your cuts? Or would it look better with snow-white skin? You know the answer to that. Think about your favorite bodybuilders. When doing photo shoots or guest posing appearance or their shows, they are tanned. I know, most of you are saying that they use the dab-on tanning creams that "paint" their skin. Yes that is true. But I say, lets get to work on your tans now. A real tan is better than the painted on tans or the self-tanners that look pretty good now, but who the hell wants tanned palms too?
For whatever reason, a tan exudes a healthy, vibrant and even "sexy" appearance. Ironically, a tan, although it certainly looks healthy, can be just the opposite. However, if you go about it the right way, it doesnt have to destroy your skin. Despite what the "experts" say, you can maintain a healthy bronze tan without destroying your skin. Further down this section will be some great advice on how to go about this.
What is a Tan?
Lets start with the basics. A tan is basically an increase in a "pigment" of your skin called melanin. When your skin is exposed to sunlight (which contains UV [ultraviolet rays]), it reacts--it tries to protect itself by adapting to the sunlight and building up a shield to help prevent skin damage. There are two different types of UV rays--"A" and "B". UVB rays have more potential to burn your skin, but both UVA and UVB rays are essential in order to cause the adaptation which increases your pigmentation of your skin and helps you develop a golden tan. When you lie out in the sun or in a tanning bed, UV rays penetrate through the top layer of your skin (epidermis) and stimulate cells called "melanocytes." These cells make up about 5% of the epidermis; when these melanocytes are exposed to UVB rays, they cause an increased production of melanin, which is then absorbed by other skin cells. Melanin is actually a pinkish color, but when it is subjected to UVA rays, it! darkens or oxidizes, creating a bronze look.
Almost all people have the same number of melanocytes. However your heredity determines how much melanin your melanocytes produce and, therefore, how well you tan.
More Tricks to Tanning!
The quickest way to tan your skin is to use the sunless tanning creams. These tanning creams have come a long way. The first ones was Johnsons "QT" and "Sudden Tan". When one used these products, the effect was less than desireable. They would turn you orange instead of brown. Today, they have improved greatly. The ones that are recommended, low in cost and can be picked up in your local supermarket are made by Hawaiian Tropic, Estee' Lauder, Clinique, Almay, and Neutrogena. Also check your supplement wholesalers for Jan Tana products. These products do not contain dyes; they have an active ingredient called "dihydroxyacetone", which initiates the melanin in your skin so it becomes more bronze than pink. They work pretty well. The best way to use them is to first shower, then put on rubber or plastic gloves. Then apply it as evenly as you can to all exposed areas of your body. Have a trusted friend, husband/wife, girl/boy friend apply it to the !areas you cant reach. Remember to apply a thin even coat. Keep in mind that areas that have rougher, thicker skin (elbows, knees, heels and especially the palms) will come out darker, giving your secret away. Please use the rubber gloves to protect your palms because normally the palms do not tan. Apply the lotion to the back of the hands at the end. The best sunless tanning lotions, tanning care, moisturizers, and suntan lotion with SPF in my opinion are made by a company called California Tanning products. You can find them at any Tanning salon. They also have a web site on the net, so set your browsers accordingly. They are expensive, but they are the best and can be used with tanning beds.
Myths of Salon Tanning
Frightening and outrageous stories the media sometimes perputuates and even you may have heard about salon tanning.
My friend was tanning every day in a sun bed at a salon. After about a week she started to notice a strange burnt smell, but she didn't have a sunburn. She went to a doctor, and he told her that the tanning bed was beginning to bake her internal organs, creating the smell."
The UV-light from a sun bed is similar to UV light from the sun, and cannot penetrate deeper than the skin to harm internal organs.
"I know someone who caught AIDS (or herpes) from a tanning bed"
The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that this is physically impossible. The AIDS virus as well as these other serious diseases do not live outside the body. I think this fear may come from the fact than many people lay nude in sunbeds during their tanning session (in order to eliminate tan lines). However, even if there is profuse sweating, the AIDS virus, or other venereal diseases cannot be passed to the next customer. In fact, UV-light combined with the photoactive drug psoralen, has been used to successfully irradiate the blood of AIDS patients, killing the virus on contact. Cold and flu viruses, however, could be passed from one client to the next via the tanning bed, necessitating disinfection between customers. Tanning salons by law are required to disinfect the acrylic liner in the tanning bed between uses.
Frightening and outrageous stories the media sometimes perputuates and even you may have heard about salon tanning.
"My friend was tanning every day in a sun bed at a salon. After about a week she started to notice a strange burnt smell, but she didn't have a sunburn. She went to a doctor, and he told her that the tanning bed was beginning to bake her internal organs, creating the smell."
The UV-light from a sun bed is similar to UV light from the sun, and cannot penetrate deeper than the skin to harm internal organs.
"I know someone who caught AIDS (or herpes) from a tanning bed"
The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that this is physically impossible. The AIDS virus as well as these other serious diseases do not live outside the body. I think this fear may come from the fact than many people lay nude in sunbeds during their tanning session (in order to eliminate tan lines). However, even if there is profuse sweating, the AIDS virus, or other venereal diseases cannot be passed to the next customer. In fact, UV-light combined with the photoactive drug psoralen, has been used to successfully irradiate the blood of AIDS patients, killing the virus on contact. Cold and flu viruses, however, could be passed from one client to the next via the tanning bed, necessitating disinfection between customers. Tanning salons by law are required to disinfect the acrylic liner in the tanning bed between uses.
Helpful Hints on finding a Good Tanning Salon
Find a reputable tanning salon, before you sign a membership, ask for a tour. Ask questions, make sure that the staff is knowledgeable, patient and can recommend the safest and most efficient way to get your desired tan. Make sure that the place is clean, there are no broken beds and the place has convenient hours. Make sure that the salon you choose has different types of tanning beds. Such as a UVB bed, "super tanners", and the newest ones that allow you to stand and has straps above your head that will help you tan the hard to reach places. (under your arms, inside your thighs) Make sure that the salon carries good brands of suntan oils, creams, skin conditioners, etc.
I have found that most salon memberships are around the same price. So too much time price shopping may yield only minimal savings. I got lucky because a salon within walking distance to my house, has sales on memberships and I got a great deal. Most salons sell sessions. The minimum is 10 sessions. They will vary. I recommend that you buy a membership, and buy a set amount of sessions. You will save money in the long run.
Other advantages to Tanning
My favorite time to tan is right after a grueling workout. The heat from the UV lamps will make your tired, sore muscles feel better in no time. In last months newsletter, I had a section about acne and how to get rid of it. Well guess what, tanning your skin, will dry it out and will clear most of the acne up. It has done wonders for me. I had severe acne on my back, shoulders and chest. Now it has almost completely cleared since my tanning regimine began.
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Disclaimer: The information presented is intended to be used for educational purposes only. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding any suggestions and recommendations made.
