PEOPLE like to have that deep, rich skin colour that’s red carpet worthy. However, due to the dangers that are associated with tanning outdoors, many people have moved away from that method of tanning and are looking for safer alternatives that produce excellent results.

Body Glow is one such method. In fact, based on appearances alone, Body Glow is considered by some to be better than other methods because it provides an even tone throughout the entire body in a fraction of the time that is required to do it otherwise. It also does not require that an individual spend time baking themselves in the sun all day long.

The benefits of Body Glow are numerous, so much so that most people who eventually decide to try it make the decision to stick with it.

Body Glow basics

Essentially, Body Glow is accomplished by applying a product that mixes with the body’s chemistry to create a nice, even colour. The intensity of the colour is determined by individual body chemistry in conjunction with the colour of the product that is chosen. This is typically something that takes some trial and error in the beginning because each person might have a different response to the same product.

One person may get a great glow while another needs to utilise a product that is a bit darker. It is always a good idea to start out with a lighter colour and then proceed to progressively darker colours, because the last thing you want to do is choose a colour that is too dark for your natural skin tone from the start.

Additionally, some products have bronzer in them and some do not. This will also determine how tan the skin appears. The product is either applied to your body by someone else or you can apply it yourself, depending on the type of product you use.

Advantages of Body Glow

Body glow is probably the easiest way to get flawless-looking skin. It is also one of the fastest methods of getting that colour that you want without having to spend weeks trying to get it outdoors, which, in most cases, produce a not so favourable skin colour.

To that end, it is virtually instantaneous and only takes a few hours for it to fully develop. This is a definite advantage if you have an engagement before which you need to get some colour.

Body Glow products dry quickly and, in truth, they are far less messy than applying loads of sunscreen or tanning oil when you tan outdoors. More often than not Body Glow provides much better control of the results by producing an even skin colour throughout the entire body. This is especially true if you have it done professionally.

The ability to get an even skin tone from head to toe is one of the biggest benefits of using this option.

Things to keep in mind

Of course, in order for you to get the best results there are a few things that you need to do that requires a certain amount of skin preparation in order to ensure that the glow product has an opportunity to adhere to your skin equally from head to toe.

Therefore you should shave or wax a couple of days before you plan on getting it done. If you are using a product that does not contain bronzer or is not dark in colour, you may be able to get away with shaving or waxing the same day, but in order to be on the safe side it is usually a better practice to do this about 48 hours before you plan on visiting the spa.

If you happen to be using a product that is especially dark in colour or contains bronzer, this is an absolute must. Otherwise you are likely to wind up with dark patches everywhere that you have pores. Shaving or waxing opens up pores, so the product will get stuck in them and you will end up looking like you have measles.

You should also exfoliate your skin. Most people do this the day before they decide to use the product. A nice shower with a loofah that is rough enough to get rid of any dead skin cells will do the trick. Of course, make sure that you cover your hair with a shower cap before the product is applied and do not wear deodorant or make-up. This will prevent the product from adhering to the skin and you will wind up with a nice tan neck and a pale face, or you will be unable to lift your arms because your skin there is noticeably lighter than the rest of your skin.

Finally, it is a good idea to apply a very thin coat of Vaseline or a similar product to certain areas of the body right before you get the procedure done. Applying this to places like your elbows and your knees, or the palms of your hands will prevent the product from getting into the creases of those areas and creating dark lines.

A few dont’s after applying Body Glow

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they receive a Body Glow is that they simply do not give the product enough time to stay on the skin in order to reach the desired level of colour. It typically takes several hours for the process to occur, and as a result, going outside and getting sweaty or taking a shower before the product has had a chance to work will essentially stop it from doing its job.

Swimming will have the same result. Therefore, it is always a good idea to apply the product when you can devote at least eight hours to simply letting it do its job and helping you get the tan that you want.

If you can leave it on for a longer period of time then it is probably a good idea to do so, but you need to give the product at least eight hours to work. If you want to take a shower, go swimming or go for a run after that time, it should not be a problem.

Michelle Vernon is a phlebotomist medical aesthetician who operates the Body Studio Skincare located at 20 Constant Spring Road, Mall Plaza, Kingston 10, and Fairview Shopping Centre, Montego Bay. She may be reached at telephone 908-0438 or 684-9800; IG @ bodystudioskincare; E-mail: bodystudioskincare@gmail.com ; Website: www.bodystudioskincare.com.