I was just wondering what the group's opinion is on sunless tanning. My dermatologist prescribed LacHydrin lotion but i was wondering if i could use that and also go tanning, and also what kind of soap is everyone using in the shower. I use Cetaphil, its not doing anything. By the By, I just wanted to say how happy I am to find out a lot of people have KP, not just me

Sunless tanning? I take it you mean a sun tan booth? or fake tan lotions?

Either way, alot of people have skin problems, we just can see them coz of there tan...so yes, get colour on your skin and it will help it out alot, my KP used to be aweful, and i jumped out in the real sun and got a tan.

So yeh if you dont have colour in your skin get some, it'll hide alot of flaws perminantly...the helps exfoliate skin, and we need to exfoliate, so if you have acess to the real sun i suggest you use it, coz a real sun tan lasts alot longer and if sun is on it enough, it actually wont fade at all, where most booth tans will fade in a week.

I am the self-proclaimed queen of sunless tanning. (Around here) NOT the booth variety- I don't believe in ruining my skin any more than it is now. I use the kind that comes in a bottle. If you have specific questions, let me know.

If that is what you're talking about- I don't have any problems using scrubs, neutrogena lotion, etc- but I don't use lachydrin or anything like that.

I use either Dove Nutrium body wash or St. Ives Collagen Elastin body wash, and exfoliate daily with St. Ives medicated scrub. I'm also using neutrogena multi-vitamin acne treatment in hopes that it will reduce the redness. It takes a while to work though, at least 8 weeks, and I think I'm only at 3 1/2 -4.

Hey.....care to reccommend a sunless tanning lotion that doesn't present that awful orange color that some do???

I use Savage Bronze, you can get it at Sally Beauty Supply. Make sure you exfoliate first though, and keep your skin moisturized after you use it, as with any sunless tanners. You can find a ton of info at www.sunless.com.

Another one that you guys might like is one made by Jan Tana, I forget where you can get it but I've heard that a lot of people like the results and that guys use it a lot for bodybuilding. You can find a product finder on that sunless website.

If you're really fair, stay away from the deep or dark formulas, especially neutrogena- that's the worst. Banana Boat Vitaskin is ok but you have to exfoliate a ton, otherwise it will ball up. Endless summer makes one that is pretty decent, especially if you layer it over a light real tan.

The mystic booths turn out pretty well, but not on the hands and feet, you have to do that at home later.

Clinique gives good color with one coat (only do one or you will be a carrot!) but it does NOT work on the hands and feet.

So in conclusion, the best one I've found so far is Savage Bronze, I can use it on my body, hands and feet, with no problems. It just takes practice. Be careful though, and never apply it with bare hands because it stains your palms. Latex gloves/and/or a mitt that you can buy with it takes care of that problem and smooths out the application.


It does take some practice- but its so worth it. Most of us here are fair, which is part of the condition, so we can't tan well anyways. I'm in love with this stuff though, because after I do it I look so much healthier, slimmer, and in turn it makes me feel more confident.

Oh and for those of you who don't want to do the upkeep, there's another option for you. If anyone wants info let me know, I've already typed a book!

Thanks for the info...

Appreciate it.

Please share!

For BiteSize - do the sunless tanners make the KP dots turn darker? That was my fear at doing tanning w/lotions, that it wouldn't look even and would actually accentuate the KP dots like tanning lotion tends to do on dry areas (elbows, knees). Any advice for application on KP areas?

segfault- I should clarify- its just easier to maintain it if you do this trick- mix 1/3 sunless tanner with 2/3 (scented?) lotion and apply every day either after the shower or before bed. The benefits are that the DHA smell is cut down a lot and the tan is lighter, more believable, it is more foolproof- your mistakes won't be seen as easily, plus it lasts a bit longer because your skin is more moisturized. You can do a major tan (direct sunless tanner) and then maintain it with this mixture, or you can start fresh and build up a tan slowly.

noraflan- It doesn't usually with me as long as my skin isn't too dry- but any spots where you've picked and it has a scab soaks it up (some more than others, some not at all) and create a small brown spot, usually not that noticeable and easily covered up with concealer, etc.

check out this ivillage link: http://www.ivillage.com/topics/beauty/0,,165759,00.html
Lots of good info.
Try Fakebake. It doesn't look orange but is a little expensive (around $20). It comes with gloves to prevent hands from staining. It comes out very dark, ts good because it is easier to get it on evenly because you see where you've appied & you can tell by the shade where you need more or less. If you notice a dark spot when you first apply just use a papertowel with a little bit of water and rub the dark spot to blend in. You sleep with the self tanner on & wash it off in the morning & it washes away the dark colored shade (which is just the guide for applying). I think most self tanners have this feature. I like fakebake because you get darker gradually with each night of application. No shock of looking in the mirror & you're all of a sudden dark orange. Use a makeup sponge for face, neck, hands & feet. If you have dark spots with any self tanner try rubbing the area lightly with lemon juice on a napkin or paper towel. You will see the color come off you skin & onto the cloth. Make sure you skin is clean & exfoliated before you use it. Because my skin is so dry I use a little bit of light oil free moisturizer first so that the self tanner goes on better. If you have dry patches of skin it seems self tanners stick more to the dry area & make it darker. Also use very lightly around areas with fine hairs - you know like peach fuzz - it will color the hair & elbows & knees. Ok this is was toooo long: