You've heard it before: the only safe tan is a fake tan. Sales of self tanning products have skyrocketed, and the results are more natural looking than ever before. Still, old habits die hard. In a recent survey by the American Academy of Dermatology, 92 percent of the respondents acknowledged they knew tanning from the sun was dangerous, yet 65 percent said they thought they looked better with a tan.

Despite dire warnings about the hazards of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, we can't seem to stay away from those tanning rays. More than a million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the US every year, and overexposure to UV radiation is the primary cause. Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, has tripled in the past twenty-five years. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it now accounts for most of the more than ten thousand deaths from skin cancer each year. At the very least, UV exposure accelerates photoaging.

Every day, some one million Americans visit tanning salons, intentionally putting their health at risk. Don't believe those signs that say "safe tanning" or "no harmful rays": if the tanning booth or bed emits UVA and/or UVB radiation, it's dangerous.

Health authorities are taking a stronger stand against indoor tanning. The World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, and the Dermatology Academy all support legislation to ban the use of tanning beds by anyone under 18, and prevent any facility from advertising its tanning devices as "safe." There is even a move to put a Surgeon General's warning on every tanning bed and booth.

Be smart. If you must have a tan, go for the glow with a self tanner. The idea isn't new: sunless tanners date back to 1960 when Coppertone introduced QT (Quick Tanning Lotion). In the years since, better formulas and technology have made self tanners nearly goof proof, so you can look believably bronze and sun-kissed, instead of artificially orange and streaked. The new products also smell better; gone are those off-putting chemical odors.

Most self tanners use dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, to achieve a burnished glow. When you apply a sunless tanner, DHA, a sugar, interacts with the dead cells in the upper layer of skin, causing them to change color. Your skin looks golden for a few days, until the tinted cells naturally slough off.

Self tanners come in many forms: gel, cream, lotion, spray, stick, mousse, even a towelette. You can choose a consistency to suit your skin type. If you have dry skin, for example, go for a cream. If your skin is oily, opt for a gel, mousse, or spray.

Though self tanners today are nearly infallible, some people just can't get the hang of them or don't want to bother. You can always turn to the professionals. Many salons, spas, and tanning facilities now offer sunless tanning. There are two main types of delivery. In one, you step into a booth where a machine sprays you with self tanning solution. In another, a technician sprays you with a hand-held machine that resembles a painter's airbrush. In either case, application is uniform.

Whether you choose to do it yourself or get someone else to apply sunless tanner, you can rest assured you've made the safe and healthy choice.

Tips for Self Tanning:

• Exfoliate your skin before self tanning to create a smooth surface for even application. Use a non-oil-based scrub, a washcloth, a loofah, or a body brush. Pay special attention to your elbows, knees, and feet—areas that tend to pick up more color if they're not completely free of dry, dead skin. Massage them with a drop of moisturizer before applying the product, so they won't soak up too much. For best results, the rest of your skin should be completely dry. Shaving and waxing will also exfoliate the skin, but to ensure an even result, remove hair a day or two before applying self tanner.

• Avoid using retinoids, topical scrubs, or topical disinfectants, or skin care products containing alpha hydroxy acids or salicylic acid, right before or after you apply self tanner. If you absolutely must use one of these products, wait at least two to three hours before applying self tanner.  

• Wear gloves to apply self tanner. You can find them at most drug stores or beauty supply stores. If you use your bare hands, wash them thoroughly every two to three minutes during application. Have a nail brush handy to clean your cuticles and between your fingers.

• Follow the package directions to the letter, both how to apply the self tanner and how long to wait afterward before getting dressed. (Generally, you need to wait about fifteen minutes.) Shake the product well before applying, and be sure to massage it thoroughly into the skin. It usually takes one to four hours for the color to fully develop. If you end up with streaks of color, you may want to try a self tanner that contains a tint, so you can see exactly which areas you've covered as you're applying it.

• Be prepared to reapply. Self tanners look best when you apply them once a day for a few days in a row. After that, you can reapply the product every five to seven days to maintain the color.

• To prolong the glow and prevent your sunless tan from fading, apply moisturizer after bathing.

• Don't forget to apply sunscreen. Unless your self tanner contains sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher, it won't protect you from the sun's harmful rays.