In the summer everyone wants to look tannedBut do it with caution. Many people have a preference for tanned skin over a paler shade. But achieving the perfect shade can put your skin’s health at risk.
We all know the harmful effects on the skin of the UV rays that the sun emits. It can even cause skin cancer in the most extreme cases, as well as mild or intense lesions depending on how long you have been exposed to the sun.
Get a safe tan
You can also get the perfect tan without affecting your skin. It is not just a matter of lying under the sun for hours at a time, changing position from time to time.changing position from time to time, this is about as dangerous as it gets. You can achieve the tone you want without taking any risks.
That’s why it’s important to know how to tan safely and without risk to your skin. Follow these tips so that on your next vacation you can get a golden hue worthy of a magazine cover, without putting yourself at risk.
- We recommend: “Effects of UVA rays on the skin: 6 advantages and disadvantages”.
1. Sun protection
If we are going to be exposed to the sun, we must protect ourselves.. For many years, the only way to get a dream tan was with prolonged and direct exposure to the sun, with the help of a tanning cream that promises to unify the skin tone while protecting us from sun damage.
However, it has been proven that exposure to sunlight with insufficient protection and for prolonged periods of time increases the probability of developing skin cancer, one of the most aggressive and potentially lethal cancers. For this reason, exposure to sunlight for tanning should be moderate.
If you are going to expose yourself to the sun, you should undoubtedly apply sunscreen with a protection factor of 50, which is the highest. Those who promise more than 50 SPF are lying.. Wear hats, long-sleeved clothing that protects your arms, sunglasses and avoid being under the sun’s rays for more than 20 minutes. Apply sunscreen every two hours.
- You could also read: “The 7 best tanning products for the beach (low cost or brand name)”.
2. Tanning in the sun
Although it is not recommended, you could get a light tan with these recommendations. For this, the first thing you should do is exfoliate your skin. In this way the product you apply will have a faster effect and thus have the need for less exposure to the sun.
Apply the sunscreen about 20 minutes before going outside.. Once you are outside, wait a maximum of 15 minutes and discontinue tanning. Remember to choose a sunscreen that also offers protection, i.e. a product with at least 15 SPF. Do this for several days until you get a darker shade.
It is important to know that with this technique you should not expect a very deep tan, as this will put you at a great risk of contracting skin cancer later on. UV rays are really harmful, so you should expect only a slight darkening of your original tone and not try to go any deeper.
Another important tip is that you should not do this exercise during the hours where UV exposure is highest. In other words between 10 am and 4 pm, avoid staying for more than 20 minutes continuously in the sun to tan, even if you are wearing sunscreen. under the sun to get a tan, even if you are wearing sunscreen.
3. Spray tans
Nowadays spray tans are the safest are the safest option for darkening the skin.. If you want to tan safely and without putting your skin at risk, the best alternative is a spray tanner that will help you achieve it. It does not serve as protection against the sun’s rays, so you will have to use a sunscreen to go outside.
This product comes as a spray and just spray it on the skin to get a tan, which to get a tan, which most of the time is light. It works because it contains a sugar-like molecule that reacts on contact with the skin, creating a brown color and thus the tanning effect.
Some dermatologists do not recommend the use of this product either, so it is advisable to consult a doctor before applying it, since some skin types do not receive the components of this tanning product very well. But in other people it works without inconveniences, becoming the ideal alternative to darken the skin.
This product is commonly is commonly used in tanning booths. In these booths, eyes, mouth and nose must be covered so that the spray does not enter the body. However, this is practically impossible, so there are those who advise against these sprays, since inhaling this substance could also cause damage to the body.
4. What to avoid when tanning
Tanning is a risk in itself, but if you decide to do it, you should take precautions.. Just as direct and continuous exposure to the sun is not at all advisable for tanning, there are other alternatives that are not advisable either, even if they promise that they are. These are alternatives that initially appear safe, as they do not involve direct sunlight on the skin.
One such option is tanning beds. For a long time they were advertised as a safe alternative to prolonged exposure to sunlight to get a tan. But today, tanning beds are tanning beds are strongly discouraged and should not be used and should not be used even once.
These beds emit low levels of UVB rays, which is why they were considered safe, but contain large amounts of UVA rays, which are highly harmful to the skin. The U.S. government has spoken out against their use and has labeled them as carcinogenic.
Another product that is offered as an alternative to show off a good tan, are tanning pills. These are illegal because their components have not been approved as safe. Una ingesta prolongada de este producto genera daño al sistema digestivo, a los ojos y a la piel, así que debería evitarse.
Referencias bibliográficas
- Rodrigues, A. M., Sniehotta, F. F., Birch-Machin, M. A., & Araujo-Soares, V. (2017). Aware, motivated and striving for a ‘safe tan’: an exploratory mixed-method study of sun-protection during holidays. Health psychology and behavioral medicine, 5(1), 276–298. doi:10.1080/21642850.2017.1335205.
- Garone, M., Howard, J., & Fabrikant, J. (2015). A review of common tanning methods. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 8(2), 43–47.