A Celebrity Spray Tanner's Top Dos and Don'ts for Keeping That Golden Glow

Although getting a natural tan is much easier on the wallet (free UV rays, right?), the true cost comes in serious health risks down the road. (Same goes for tanning beds.) That's why spray tanning and at-home products like self-tan mists are a worry-free way to get that golden glow — and if you're a first-time tanner, there are steps you need to take to ensure you get the most out of your bronze.

That's why we reached out to celebrity tanner and St. Tropez Tan spokesperson Sophie Evans. "Skin cancer is still on the increase and [real suntanning is] extremely damaging and aging to our skin," she says.

According to the FDA, there's "no such thing as a safe tan": when your skin is exposed to the sun's UV radiation, it protects itself by increasing production of melanin (the pigment that gives your eyes, skin, and hair color). That's how your skin gets that tan hue — and it's also "a sign of damage," the FDA says. (Here's where we tell you that wearing SPF is key to avoiding premature aging.)

Evans says that spray-on and self-tans not only keep us from baking our epidermis to a crisp — it also gives our skin a more flawless finish. "When the skin goes darker imperfections do not show up as bad — cellulite appears to be reduced and in some cases disappears, and redness is eliminated," Evan says. Plus, a professional spray tan artist "can go one step further by using a darker formula on your natural contour lines to really give you the illusion of being more slim and super-toned."

What's more, people of all skin tones can benefit from a spray tan. "The deepest, darkest complexions get a gorgeous uniform even glow (think Beyoncé and J. Lo)," she says. "[Although] the palest of the pale generally won’t go super dark, their skin is certainly transformed [with a healthy-looking glow and they'll] really see the true benefit of a self-tan's concealing powers."

Scroll through the gallery above for Evans' full dos and don'ts on getting tanned, then check out the latest episode of The SASS below to learn more about non-toxic, pregnancy-friendly tans.

Do you prefer getting a professional tan or doing it yourself at home? Tell us in the comments!

Main image: St. Tropez Tan