We all know the sun’s UV rays are both healthy and unhealthy for you. While you need a little bit of the sun for the vitamin D, the rays can cause some major health problems in the future. But with all this, the rays can tan the skin, leaving you looking golden and sun-kissed.
Tanned bodies are all the rage. We all look for ways to get a healthy and natural looking tan. The great news is you don’t have to use products, like at home tanning oils and tinted moisturizing creams. You can get it the good old-fashioned way. With a few simple steps, you can keep your skin from burning and succumbing to the damaging effects of the rays.
Here’s a look at all you need to know about getting a natural and healthy tan. It’s time to put your skin health first without sacrificing your look.
Start by Exfoliating Your Skin Regularly
If you have a lot of dead skin cells, you will create a layer that blocks the rays from your skin. This will lead to difficulty in tanning the skin. If you want to get the best possible tan from the natural sun, you will need to make sure your skin is exfoliated.
Exfoliating is good for the skin anyway. You will get rid of the dead cells that tend to block pores. The healthy cells will rise to the top, and you instantly get a natural glow. Without blocked pores, you can reduce the risk of acne-causing bacteria growing, so you have healthier and brighter skin throughout the year.
You can also remove dirt and oil from the pores in the skin. Your skin will look less greasy, and you’ll feel like you’ve cleaned much deeper.
There’s no need to exfoliate on a daily basis. In fact, this can be damaging to the skin and can disrupt the oil production. You can end up with dry skin conditions, as well as irritated skin. Exfoliate once a week for best results and help your skin glow and tan easily.
Don’t worry about rubbing your tan away. That’s not how it works. Exfoliating will help the tan appear and fade more evenly than ever before.
Don’t bother spending a fortune on exfoliating products in the store. Opt for some sugar or sea salt. Sea salt is the best, as it has the antibacterial and antiviral properties. You could also use mineral salts, which aren’t dehydrating at all and can add nutrients to your skin. Oatmeal is another popular natural exfoliate.
Make Sure You Wear Sunscreen
It can seem like you’re working against the idea of tanning, but sunscreen is essential. But you don’t just want any sunscreen. You need one with the right sun protection factor for your skin type and needs.
Sunscreen creates a layer that will prevent the sun’s harmful rays affecting your cells. The sun can’t burn your skin, but that doesn’t mean it can’t tan it. The sunscreen doesn’t prevent everything from getting into your layers of skin. The tanning will just be healthier, more golden, and cleaner. You also won’t have the pain of burning!
You can get sunscreens that offer SPF 5 and up. You’ll hear different recommendations for your skin, but it will depend on the exact skin type you have. If your skin is pale and prone to burning, you’ll need stronger SPF sunscreen than if you had darker skin. Darker skin makes it harder for the sun’s rays to penetrate the skin.
Look out for sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Most will only protect UVB, which is the one that causes burning to the skin. The UVA rays are those that are more likely to cause cancer and other skin cell damage.
SPF 30+ is highly recommended for the skin. If you’re not used to time out in the sun, starting with SPF 50 is recommended, and you can work your way down.
But it’s not just about the type of SPF you get. You need to make sure you get enough sunscreen and give it time to work on your skin. You should apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you go out into the sun, giving it time to create the protective layer. The sunscreen needs to be absorbed naturally into the skin, so use enough that will give a liberal cover.
Reapply your sunscreen every few hours and always after water activities. While sunscreen will say that it’s waterproof, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
You can also keep your skin covered through the use of hats and clothing. This tip is useful for areas that you can’t apply the sunscreen too, like the parting in your hair or over your eyes.
You will read that some unprotected exposure to the sun can be good for you. That is certainly the case. You can get your daily recommended amount of vitamin D from the sun. However, you don’t need that much time out in the sun. Just 15-20 minutes a day unprotected will do you some good.
Reduce the Time You Spend Tanning
If you’re lounging by the pool for your whole vacation, you’ll want to think again. Your skin can only produce so much melanin, which is the pigment that helps with the tanning process. After two or three hours in fair skin, the skin reaches its peak of melanin and won’t produce anymore for tanning.
There’s just no point staying out in the sun for longer. It’s best to go into the shade or indoors to protect the rest of your health. After all, the melanin may have reached its peak, but the sun’s rays are still a risk for the health of your skin and cells.
Opt for two or three hours of tanning and then find shade. You don’t need to do the full two or three hours in one sitting. You can do an hour and then go inside for an hour. When you return outside, you’ll be able to top up on the melanin for another hour and then repeat the cycle.
Not only do you protect your skin, but you’ll also get more out of your holiday and time in the sun. You’ll be able to do more activities, without questioning whether you’ll be able to get the tan of your dreams.
Taking breaks from the sun can do your tan some good. Time out of the sun helps the body to repair from some of the damage. You reduce the risk of sunburn, so your tan will look and feel healthier. The tan also lasts longer and is more even when you take time out of the sun.
When you choose to expose your skin to the sun, make sure you think about the timings. Between 11am and 3pm the skin’s rays are the most intense. You put your skin health at more risk. You will still get a good tan if you choose outside of these hours for lounging by the pool!
Buy a UV Wristband
Did you know that there are items out there that will help you know when it’s time to reapply your sunscreen? You need to invest in a UV wristband. Nobody else will know that you have something practical, as it looks like an accessory.
The UV band changes color throughout the day. When your skin is taking in strong UV rays because your sunscreen levels are diminishing, the UV band will warn you of this. You will physically see it change color as you apply more sunscreen to offer your skin more protection.
One of the best things about using a UV band is that you don’t need to keep checking your watch. You’re less likely to overlook the time to reapply your sunscreen, and you don’t need to worry about exposing your skin to unnecessary UV rays. You can also use up less sunscreen if you have a habit of applying too much in one sitting!
The only downside to wearing the band is the tan line that you’ll get. Unfortunately, the rays can’t get past the band and to your skin. You’ll have a reminder that you’ve always put your health first. But it’s just like having a tan line from wearing a bracelet or a watch!
Skip the Tanning Beds
Tanning beds may help you get a tan and can certainly help you increase the amount of vitamin D you get, but they can also be bad for you. There’s a reason they’re nicknamed “cancer in a box.” The UV rays in the lights are intense. They are often far more intense than the rays that you would get from the sun.
You want to cut out the time on the tanning beds completely. Opt for the real deal instead. Not only will you get a natural glow, but you also get a much healthier one.
Tanning beds also give out the wrong type of UV. They give out UVA rays, which are the ones that cause cell damage in your body. The UVB is the one that you want for the vitamin D and changing coloring to your skin. Experts believe that the use of tanning beds will increase your chance of developing skin cancer by 75%!
Even the use of sunscreen will damage your skin on the tanning beds. You’re directing the rays straight onto your skin and will be in contact with them. The FDA has limits on the amount of time you’re allowed to spend on tanning beds in stores because of how bad they are for the skin. However, there are many horror stories of people getting badly burned or who have cancer later in life due to them.
What to Do If You End Up Burnt
With the tips above, you shouldn’t cause any damage to your skin. However, there are times that you will forget to top up your sunscreen or overlook the damage that it’s doing. You may not even put enough on in the first place or use the wrong type just once.
If your skin is burned, you will need to help improve the healing process. Vitamin A is the best nutrient to add to your skin, although vitamin E is a good option too.
The vitamin A will help to rebuild the tissues and repair the damage. It helps to improve the collagen production and ensure your skin heals naturally and quickly. The vitamin E will help to soothe the burn and protect the skin cells. It offers a calming element to your skin, which will help the vitamin A work better.
You can also apply vitamin C creams to your skin. This will help the cells repair, while also boosting the immune system for elsewhere in the body while your skin repairs.
Moisturising cream is essential. Switch out the exfoliating creams until you’re fully healed and use the moisturizing creams to hydrate the skin fully. The burn will draw out the moisture and cause more damage, including peeling.
Don’t remove the peeling layers of skin, as they are creating a protective layer while the lower layers of skin repair. The peeling skill will flake away naturally when ready.
Get that Natural Tan
With the above steps, you won’t just get a tan, but a natural and healthy tan. Your skin will look golden, feel great, and be healthy. You get away from the risk of burning skin and damaged cells. You can reduce the chance of signs of aging shows.
Make sure you follow the steps. Opt for a good sunscreen and don’t be afraid to put the health of your skin right. The sun protection isn’t going to stop your skin from tanning completely. You just get a more even and healthier glow that will last much longer. It’s all worth the extra time and hassle.
