Sun Safety: 5 Essential Facts About Tanning
Photo by Patrick Powers.
There are at least three tanning salons within a two-mile radius of most colleges for a reason – it’s no secret to anyone that college girls love to be tan.
While most people look good with some color, getting that color from the sun or a tanning bed is more dangerous than most girls realize.
Be smart this summer and learn the facts about tanning to protect yourself for the future & keep your skin looking fabulous for years!
If you’re already a tanning addict, or are just thinking about getting some color this summer, keep reading to learn some important facts about your skin & sun damage, and what you can do to keep yourself safe in the sun this summer.
1. Sunscreen is the world’s best anti-aging product.
Forget about Creme De La Mer. Sunscreen is your best friend when it comes to fighting wrinkles. Sunscreen not only blocks out the sun’s damaging rays – it also blocks their aging effects.
If you wonder how Hollywood stars over 40 like Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman stay looking young, I’m willing to bet that they wear serious sunblock, and have done so for years. It’s really the best, cheapest, and most natural way to keep your face looking fabulous for years to come.
2. Sun damage happens now, but appears later.
You may think that just because you haven’t developed wrinkles or skin cancer yet, you’re fine. That couldn’t be more false. The more you tan and damage your skin at a young age, the worse you’re going to look when you’re older.
Picture yourself at 40 and 50. Would you like to have skin like Demi Moore’s, or would you rather resemble Demi Moore’s distressed leather purse? If your answer was the first option, tanning is not for you. While you might look tan now, your skin will suffer in the long run.
3. There is no such thing as a “safe” tan.
Yes, it’s true. Despite what tanning salons may claim, their beds can’t be safe, because tanning itself isn’t safe. Tanning is actually your skin’s reaction to damage already done, and a defensive attempt to protect itself from further harm. All those tanning beds that claim to be safe are lying.
Remember: the only safe tan comes from a bottle.
4. Dark skin is at risk too.
While it’s true that darker skin does have more natural protection from the sun than light, sun damage is still an issue. Darker skinned ladies still need to wear sunblock: at least an SPF 15 whenever you go out in the sun. This will help fight wrinkles, prevent cancer, and keep your skin looking beautiful.
5. SPF 15 is the minimum protection you need.
Don’t slather on an SPF 6 and think that you’re covered on a sunny day at the beach. While SPF 6 may be better than nothing, it’s the same thing as wearing nothing after a few hours in the sun. You’re also still inviting skin damage, wrinkles, and possibly cancer by not wearing enough SPF protection.
The absolute minimum amount of SPF that you should be wearing is SPF 15. Anything lower, and you’re risking serious sun damage and all the other horrible effects that come along with it.
For more information on your skin, sun damage, and skin cancer, visit The American Academy of Dermatology website.
How To Get A Tan Without Skin Damage:
So what can you do if you want to be tan but don’t want wrinkles and cancer? Simple – invest in a great sunless tanner. The good ones won’t make you look orange or streaky, and are super-simple to put on.
If do-it-yourself isn’t your deal, consider getting spray tanned if you really feel the need to be dark. Sure, it might cost a little extra money, but you’re saving your skin and possibly your life in the long run, which are both more important.
Now that you know some facts about summer skincare, you’ll be better prepared to hit the beaches and keep yourself looking fabulous for years to come! At the end of the day, natural beauty is the best fashion statement of all.
Posted on on July 17, 2008 / Filed Under: Beauty & Hair / Tags: Beauty, Skin, Summer 2008
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Juls
I have a bronze-y kind of complexion (I’m latina) and I wear SPF 50 to avoid skin damage and since I started using it, it’s been doing wonders for my complexion.
Shop Network
Ineed, Juls. The higher the SPF, the better. High SPF is especially recommended for children.
Zephyr
Juls – That’s great! I’m sure it will keep your skin looking great for years too :)
Shop Network – That’s somewhat true, although there has been research that says that SPF’s over 60 are really no different from one another. So it’s not always the higher the better. High is good though if you want really good protection.
jessica
Hey,
Great tips–but what are some of the best self tanners? I get really tan easily in the summer, but in the winter, i am white as a ghost. I tried using dove, but it left streaks!
I was wondering how you know when to stop using the tanners? Are you suppose to continue use one you get the desired shade? Or is that what causes streaks?
Please write an article about this because (especially college students) my friends and I were wondering what to do when we have thoe impromptu formals at school!
Thanks! I love your site! Keep up the amazing article!
Franky Abs
I definitely believe that you should wear sunscreen when you go out. If you aren’t you are asking to get burned. Also, It’s really dangerous for the skin because you could develope skin cancer.
Zephyr
Jessica – My favorite self tanners are Tan Towels and Loreal Sublime Bronze. Self tanners are also a lot about the application – you have to exfoliate really well before you use them, and wait a while for them to dry to avoid streaks. You should also definitely keep using the tanner daily until you get to the right shade. That doesn’t cause streaks – it actually helps make sure you don’t get streaks! Hope that helped some :)
Colleen Dougherty Bronstein
Since skin cancer and the deadly malignant melanoma is on the rise for young women ages 15 through 39, and melanoma is being diagnosed thicker and a later stage, which is very serious, please practice and role model sun protective practices; cover up with clothing, wear a broad brimmed hat, seek shade and avoid tanning salons. I am a malignant melanoma survivor, artist, designer and I designed a line of sun safe clothing – hope I can add the site here. I am an advocate for getting the word out to everyone about the dangers of sun exposure. I have teamed up with the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania, my site is; http://www.sunsafedesignerclothing.com
Trisha
what happens if you’ve been taning for to long my friends say you get skin cancer but i love to tan at the beach in Huntsville me and my cousins set are towels down and lie down is it true you get skin cancer from taning or not
steph
“There is no such thing as a “safe” tan.”
A fake tan is a safe tan ! Letan foaming mousse is the best.