• A couple sunbathing on the beachsunbathing on the beach image by Quennie Chua from Fotolia.com
  
  The use of tanning lotions is an alternative method to achieving a sunbathed appearance, particularly among women. According to a study published in the September 2010 issue of the Archives of Dermatology, more than 10 percent of teenage girls ages 11 to 18 employ the use of sunless tanning products. In lieu of American women's use of this type of product, dermatologists and other skin experts provide research-based answers to common questions about the effectiveness of tanning lotions.
  
  

Why should I use tanning lotions instead of sunbathing?

• Sunless tanning products such as tanning lotions provide a safer procedure to achieving a tanned appearance because they do not depend on ultraviolet exposure. According to MayoClinic.com, the active ingredient dihydroxayacetone (DHA) in tanning lotions reacts with the dead cells in the skin's outermost layer, temporarily darkening it and thus achieving the sunbathed appearance. However, since sunless tanning products do not contain sunscreen, users of these products must continue to use sunscreen with a sufficient sun protection factor (SPF) when they are outdoors.
  
  

Is dihydroxyacetone in tanning lotions safe for the skin?

• According to the US Food and Drug administration, DHA is the only sunless tanner that has government approval. The New Zealand Dermatological Society describes it as a type of 3-carbon sugar which, when applied to the skin, reacts with the amino acids in the epidermis and causes a darkening of dead skin cells. Since it does no damage to the skin itself, it is a safe alternative to sunbathing.
  
  

What is the proper way to apply tanning lotions?

• Meredith Baraf, a makeup artist for Victoria's Secret, advises that users first exfoliate their skin and then apply moisturizer before they apply any sort of tanning product. According to the New Zealand Dermatological Society, the effectiveness of tanning lotions depends on the condition of the skin on which it is applied, so it is advisable to follow exfoliation with a hydroalcoholic toner to remove any soap residue from the skin. After moisturizing the skin, particularly the dry areas on the joints, it is best to use gloves during application of the tanning lotion to avoid getting tanned palms and fingers.
  
  

Can self-tanning lotions be used during pregnancy?

• The American Pregnancy Association notes that tanning lotions may be the best tanning option for pregnant women. This is because tanning beds or conventional beach tanning both pose the risk of sunburn, worsened chloasma (the dark spots that appear on the skin during pregnancy) and overheating due to raised body temperature. According to Sandra Johnson, a dermatologist and expert contributor to BabyCenter.com, the ingredients in tanning lotions will do no harm to a pregnant woman or her developing baby since the effects of the lotions are superficial.