Men: How to Be Summer Ready with a Fake Tan

With men's fashion becoming more and more part of the mainstream, with everything from ranges of guys' make up sold in high street department stores to salons specialising in waxing men's most intimate areas, it was only a matter of time before guys caught onto the benefits of fake tan. The tabloids are always full of fake tan victims, those orange looking disciples who have overdone it on the bottled stuff, but thankfully there's no need to fall foul to the same fate.

Now that summer is right round the corner, there's no better time to start subtly adding a little colour to your skin. Sure, nothing beats a natural tan, as sunlight in moderation makes you and your skin look and feel great, but we don't always have the luxury of dashing off on holiday every time we want to get a little bronzed. So, before you look out the summer shorts and T-shirts, first top up your complexion, as there's nothing worse than being the pastiest bloke on the beach.

Where to start? Well today everywhere that offers fake tanning services for women know full well that more and more men are getting onboard too, so don't be afraid to just ask your girlfriend or friends where they go and follow suit. If not though, just head to the nearest respectable tanning salon.

Tanning beds do traditionally give a more natural looking tan that bottled tanning lotion, as the bulbs actually produce UV radiation; the same stuff the sun gives out. However, the key word here is 'radiation'. Do not spend too long on a sun bed, as the rays are potentially harmful and over use can lead to dry and damaged skin.

Most people find that simply booking a few minutes at a time keeps the skin looking bright and healthy though, without going over the top. The golden rule is, if you're not sure of anything, just ask the assistants.

If sun beds aren't for you, or you've got a night out ahead and don't have time to hit the tanning shop, then keep a bottle of tanning lotion in your bathroom cupboard. These start from lightly coloured moisturisers which gradually darken your skin tones over many applications, for a subtle approach to summer, and go right up to instant golden tan in a bottle.

Whether it's creams, gels or sprays, they all do much of the same thing. However, remember that you're applying something all over your skin, so don't forget to test a small amount somewhere sensitive, like the inside of your elbow, first. Don't get dressed for at least 15 minutes afterwards either.

If it's just your face you're self-tanning, wash and exfoliate it first to ensure an even complexion, and moisturise afterwards to maintain your new healthy glow. Don't get caught out though, always remember to wash your streaky fake tan hands afterwards.

So to join the ranks of celebrity tanners like Hugh Jackman, Jude Law and Gerard Butler; either visit a top notch spray tan or sun bed shop, or head to the nearest pharmacy and apply as much as you need to look and feel ready for the mens T-shirts, shorts and sandals this summer.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.