Is there a healthy tan?

May 11, 2023Sofia Francès0 comments

We all long to get a tan, but you have to do it in the best way to avoid damaging the skin and get all the benefits of healthy exposure to the sun.

There are many reasons why we love to sunbathe and show off a healthy tan. It increases serotonin levels and gives us a feeling of peace and happiness. In addition, it activates the production of vitamin D in our body, essential for good bone, teeth and skin health. But if there is something that we really love, it is seeing ourselves in the mirror with that tan that favors us so much. Because a vibrant lipstick or a pretty eye shadow doesn't look the same without tanned skin.

We know very well that if we abuse the sun, the medium-term effects will be devastating and irreversible:

– Premature wrinkles : the early appearance of wrinkles is a classic symptom of having sunbathed too much or even having abused UVA ray cabins. Is a tan worth that much?

– Dark spots on the skin : Consult your dermatologist if you take oral contraceptives, since they can have this type of effect when exposed to the sun.

– Skin cancer: the prevention of melanomas and carcinomas make the constant use of sunscreen a matter of health.

And let's not forget the short-term effects , capable of ruining a few days of vacation: burns, sunstroke, heat stroke, etc.

For this reason, we suggest you change the chip and practice conscious tanning , to show off a healthy tan this summer.

Healthy tanning, myths to banish

– A protector with a high SPF prevents tanning – FALSE. UVB rays activate melanin and after three or four days the pigmentation of the skin is visible. Sunscreens only block up to 98% of these rays.

– If you are already brown, you do not need sun protection – FALSE. The damage is the same.

– If there is no sun, you cannot burn – FALSE. Cloudy days are usually conducive to serious skin burns, due to the false sensation that the fact of not seeing the sun directly creates for us.

– Sunscreen should only be applied when sunbathing – FALSE. A simple walk can burn our skin, favoring its premature aging.

– With sunscreen you can sunbathe for as many hours as you want – FALSE. Sun abuse is harmful even if we protect ourselves with specific products. You have to sunbathe with your head.

Tan Lovers Pack is the kit you are looking for if you want to keep your tan for longer and take care of your skin as it deserves.

Includes 2 tubs of Bloody Mary Tan Enhancer , California Surfer Dry Protectant Oil SPF30 and After Fun Moisturizing Lotion .

How to get tan in a healthy way

So that you don't end up with a red face or burned shoulders, here are the best tips on how to get a healthy and perfect tan naturally.

1. START SLOWLY, ENJOY LONGER

Even when the air is still cold, the sun can already damage your skin. It is important that exposure to the sun is gradual:

Choose the morning (between 9 and 11) or the afternoon (between 4 and 7) to take your sunbaths.
Sunbathe for 10 minutes (you can do it once in the morning and once in the afternoon)
Increase the duration of the sunbath by 1 minute every day until you reach 20 minutes.

2. DO NOT EXPOSE YOURSELF TO THE RAYS OF NOON

The sun is at its peak between 11am and 3pm. It is in this time slot when you are at high risk of sunburn. Therefore, it is advisable to sunbathe outside of this time if you want to tan in a healthy way.

Once your skin has tanned with the morning sun (9 to 11) you can briefly expose yourself to the most intense radiation of the central hours of the day, but not more than 20 minutes.

3. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR SKIN TYPE

Not all skin types can tolerate the same amount of sun. There are four different types depending on their tolerance to the sun.

People with very fair skin, light eyes, blonde to reddish hair, and a tendency to go red rather than tan may develop the first damaging redness of the skin after just 5 to 10 minutes in the midday sun without sunscreen.
The second type has similar external features, but a light tan can be seen on it in summer. This type of skin can resist about 20 minutes in the sun.
The third type has darker skin, light or dark eyes, and fairly dark brown hair. It can resist 30 minutes until the erythema appears.
The fourth typology is that of dark-skinned people with dark hair and eyes, who tan quickly when sunbathing and rarely or almost never burn. Such people can sunbathe for 45 minutes without cream.

4. CHOOSE A NATURAL SUNSCREEN

If you are going to spend the day outside the home in the fresh air or are going to do an activity for several hours, the use of sunscreen is essential, but it must be natural, that is, with physical mineral filters, not chemicals. Most chemical filters are endocrine disruptors.

5. CHOOSE THE RIGHT PROTECTION FACTOR

As a general rule, experts recommend reducing the calculated protection time by one third. For example, if your skin without protection resists 30 minutes without reddening, with a protection factor of 30 it will last up to 10 hours. But do not trust this calculation too much either because in practice the application on the skin is never uniformly perfect and areas may remain without sufficient protection. The rubbing of the clothes, the sweat and, of course, the water, also eliminate the cream and therefore the protection.

6. USE AFTER SUN

Experts say that there are still those who forget to take care of their skin after sunbathing and this is the step that prevents it from peeling and suffering further deterioration after sun exposure .

Self-tanners are not always recommended

The German publication Öekotest has taken a close look at the composition of self-tanners and the effects of the ingredients on health and the environment. Unfortunately, many of them have been very unsatisfactory.

The reason is that these ingredients achieve a rapid tanning of the skin through DHA. DHA (dihydroxyacetone) is a sugar that binds to the skin through amino acids, triggering a chemical process and tanning us. The biggest problem is that over time and with a high temperature, DHA can turn into formaldehyde and this happens in many products before they are consumed.

However, a quality, certified organic self-tanner can be a good option, according to Öekotest.