How to stay safe while getting a great tan
A great tan makes you look healthy and attractive. But getting a tan isn’t necessarily a healthy process and there are several potential harmful effects of tanning. Ultraviolet, or UV, rays for example can lead to skin cancer. But you can follow a few steps to get a great tan without putting yourself in harms way.
Wear a sunscreen!
You might think that you shouldn’t wear a sunscreen to get that tan faster but that is not a wise decision. While wearing a good sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 8 you can gradually develop your tan. The sunscreen will protect you from all the harmful effects of the sun.
Take it slow!
You should take it easy when it comes to sun exposure even if you are wearing a sunscreen. When you begin with your tanning process you should only spend 10 to 15 minutes in the sun or under a tanning lamp. If you’re tan is already developing you can add time to your sunbathing moments. The hours between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm should not be used to tan as the sunrays are most harmful during this time.
Keep your skin moisturized!
Exposure to sunlight can cause your skin to prematurely age but you can prevent this from happening if you keep your skin well moisturized. You should not only keep your skin moisturized while sunbathing but as a part of your daily routine. Many sunscreens contain moisturizing elements as a moisturized skin is very important while sunbathing. If your favorite sunscreen does not contain a moisturizer you can and should of course apply it at another time. A moisturizer containing aloe vera is ideal as it will not only keep your skin healthy but also help to make your tan last longer.
Know your skin!
Special considerations need to be kept in mind if you fit certain conditions. Acne medication or other medications for example can lower your resistance to the sun. This means you would need a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating. Light skin is also more prone to sunburn than a darker complexion.
Besides sunbathing you could always use a tanning lotion. With such a lotion you do not have to expose your skin to the sun at all!