In earlier times pale skin was considered beautiful, after all it was only the working class that was tan because they toiled outside.
It was in 1923 that a French designer, Coco Chanel, turned tanning into a desired look.
It took little time for tanning to become the rave.
In fact bronzed, golden skin was associated with being youthful and healthy, quite the opposite of being considered a lowly laborer.
Those that didn't enjoy lying out in the sun to earn that tan didn't have to wait long.
In the 1950's was when the first sunless tanner came into being but my or my we've come an very long way from then.
Even in the 1970's most people that tried over the counter sunless tanners were rewarded with skin the color of a carrot.
But today's sunless tanning options are very impressive.
Colors are natural looking leaving you with a gorgeous golden tan without the health risks.
We now know that the prolonged exposure to UVA and UVB rays that comes from sun tanning damages the skins.
It can cause skin blemishes, wrinkled, droopy skin.
Worse, it can cause skin cancer.
Those that are fair skinned almost always burn before they ever tan making sun tanning impossible.
Those that use the modern day sunless tanners enjoy the look of being beautifully tanned without having to worry about the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
It's convenient, affordable, and quick.
No lying around waiting for the sun to turn the color of your skin, and no wasting time in a sun tan booth.
Just apply, wait for it to dry, get dressed, and get on with your day.
The next time you look, you'll discover your skin is a beautiful golden brown.
Of course, you should always do a skin test for allergic reactions and color.
Sunless tanning offers an even all over color.
It's also a moisturizer and many include a sunscreen.
You should read the label to make sure there is a sunscreen present.
Instead of nursing a sunburn, you can enjoy a full body tan with no tan lines.
There are many different sunless tanning products on the market by various manufacturers, and each will go on a little different and offer somewhat different shade of color.
That's why you should always do a test spot before applying all over your body.
It's the best way to find the best match for your body.
Many retailers offer small samples that allow you to quickly determine if a product is right for you.
You should also keep in mind that you can enjoy sunless tanning at your local salon either in the form of a tanning booth or an airbrush tan.
Both are applied by a trained person, which guarantees you an even application.
This is an excellent option for that special day, such as your graduation or wedding, when you don't want to risk an error in the application.
Lying out in the sun soaking up those warm rays is a pastime many enjoy.
No one would argue with the idea that it's relaxing.
The trouble is you won't face the troubles of sun tanning until later in life when those fine lines and wrinkles appear years too soon or those age spots give your skin an unsightly appearance, and you won't have to worry about your increased risk of skin cancer.
It's a win-win all the way around.
You have a beautiful golden tan that will make you look healthier and more youthful, and you won't have any of the health risks associated with tanning.
Best of all no one will know the difference.