Contest Tip: Tanning

 

There are many discoveries made when starting out in competitive bodybuilding. One of the biggest is tanning. If you've never experimented with getting a dark tan, you can easily be fooled when preparing for your first contest. As you become darker than you've ever been, you start to think you have a great tan, and that you're ready. Then you get up on stage only to realize you're the palest contestant in the lineup. What happened?

The stage lights are very bright, and they make you look much lighter once you get under them. This washes out some of your definition. Don't fall victim to this common oversight. Make sure you will still have a dark tan once you're under the lights. Here's one way...

You'll most likely need to add artificial color before the show. Even African Americans, whom many tend to think wouldn't need to tan, find they can benefit at a competition by having darker skin coloring. Tanning beds are not needed for that one-day you'll be on display, although many competitors do use them to get a base tan.  You should shave your entire body at least a week before the show in case you break out from shaving in areas not accustomed to being shaved. To look really dark, use a skin dye like Pro Tan Competition Color or Jan Tana Show Tan the night before the contest. Be aware that this stuff can really dry out your skin, so it's wise to apply a moisturizer before you apply the skin dye product.

Don't fool with a spray nozzle that some brands come with. They are messy and take much longer to apply. Pour the dye in a cup and dip the applicator in it. You will get a thicker coat, and cover yourself much faster. While applying the dye, you may wish to stand on a towel to catch any dye that drips to the floor.  When you go to bed for the night, make sure you use old sheets where you sleep, as the dyes leave many stains. In the morning, you'll be real dark, but probably look blotchy. Take a shower, but just rinse off. The excess tanning agent will come off. You will appear lighter afterwards, but your tan should be nice and even. Now you have your base tan, whether you used tanning beds or not. For show day, you can either use two coats of Pro Tan Bronzer or Jan Tana Competition Tan (bronzer).  (Bronzer is intended for use on contest day. It does not leave one real blotchy like the skin dyes tend to do, as long as it is rubbed in thoroughly and evenly.  Not rubbing bronzer in thoroughly and evenly is the #1 reason (or so it seems) for one looking 'dirty' instead of tanned, so be sure to take your time when applying the Pro Tan bronzer or Jan Tana Competition Tan (bronzer). Bronzers darken the skin's appearance, but do not stain it. Bronzers also wash off afterwards.)  Let your first coat of Pro Tan or bronzer dry, then apply a second coat and allow it to dry.  NOW you're ready for the bright lights.  If you need to even out streaks from sweating, apply another coat of the bronzer prior to the finals.  If you use a skin dye more than one day before your contest, don't apply it to your face or neck until the night before to avoid peeling skin in these more sensitive skin areas. It's not necessary to dye your hands, wrists, feet or ankles until the night before either. Doing so can make those areas more noticeably dark than the rest of your physique. Go easy around the elbows and knees when applying tanning agents or those areas will appear darker due to being more porous.

A product called Dream Tan is available too. It was designed is to make life a bit easier for the competing bodybuilder. However, there are times when things go wrong which are due to poor preparation and unfamiliarity with the product. Be familiar with the product; don't wait till the hour before the show to read the instructions. It's wise to actually do a trial application before the show for some pictures. This will take care of problems you may run across. If you are extremely light, get a base tan, or apply some Pro Tan before the show. Dream Tan looks better on darker complexion or tanned people. Wear black or very dark posing trunks, Dream Tan doesn't dry completely. If you want to use fluorescent yellow, they will get dirty! Do not over apply! Some have applied a whole jar for the prejudging. This will make you appear smooth. It takes about one or two drops of Dream Tan to cover your whole face, you should only give it a tint of color. It's probably the best tanning product for the face. The color pigments, which are used in Dream Tan, are FDA approved to be used on the face and around the eyes. About an hour before you go on stage apply 1/3 to 1/2 of a jar of Dream Tan. After that try not to put any clothes on until after going on stage as that will ruin the look. Apply more Dream Tan before going on for finals, or at least add some Hot Stuff vasodilator as this will help bring the shine back out. Baby oil does help a lot when removing the color, after you've scrubbed with a lufa or washcloth. Be courteous in the contest venue or in other people's cars. And that goes to all tanning products users. It takes less than half an hour to apply Dream Tan. It takes some only 15 minutes!