Youre using self-tanner wrong and its sneakily aging your skin

Summer is upon us, and with it the summons to achieve the perfect tan.While many choose self-tanners to get a golden look sans sun exposure, an expert warns that there are actually some hidden dangers in a faux glow — if you misuse them.“Self-tanners shouldn’t be mistaken for sun protection,” dermatologist Dr.

Dawn Queen told The Post.And there’s a key mistake to avoid after you spray or slather some on.Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is the active ingredient in most self-tanners.

It works by reacting with amino acids in the skin’s outer layer to produce pigment and a temporary “tan” or bronzed color.But when that newly DHA-treated skin gets exposed to sunlight — and UV rays — free radicals can form.“Over time, repeated UV exposure may contribute to oxidative stress in the skin and potentially to skin aging,” Dr.

Queen explained.So going straight from spray tan to sunshine? Not doing your skin any favors.And while some sunless tanning manufacturers argue that naturally-derived DHA is less harmful to the skin than synthetic DHA, Queen says there is no meaningful difference, and the “naturally derived” label is mostly a marketing distinction.Self-tanners are still much, much safer than UV tanning — but Queen recommends applying them at night to avoid amplifying UV exposure and lathering up with sunscreen before heading outdoors.UV radiation penetrates the skin and can damage cellular DNA, leading to short-term effects like sunburn and long-term effects such as premature aging.Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds is the main cause of skin cancer, which kills at least two Americans per hour.The FDA recommends applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily and reapplying at least every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.

Many doctors up that number to 30 or even 50.For full coverage, most adults need about an ounce of sunscreen, roughly the amount that fills a shot gl...