It’s a well known fact that putting yourself under ultraviolet radiation is a health risk, even if the radiation is artificially produced. When tanning, either indoors or outdoors, you’ll need some measure of protection and this protection is in the form of tanning lotions. Tanning lotions do not prevent or slow down the effects of UV radiation on you, they actually accelerate the tanning process so that you may cut short your exposure to UV lamps.

There are countless tanning lotions available on the market, but in general they are calssified into two major categories: tan accelerators and moisturizers. These lotions can be applied before the tanning session so that your skin is primed and prepared. Your body will also tan faster if it is moist.

The active component in most tanning lotions is called tyrosine. Tyrosine is an amino acid and when you coat your skin with the lotion, you are actually replenishing your body with enough amino acids that will hold the melanin longer. At the same time, tannin slows down exfoliation. Exfoliation is a peeling process. Since tyrosine is also an antioxidant, it means that it can bind dangerous free radicals and help clean the skin pores.