Sun Tanning, Protect skin from Sun Tan and Sunburn
The key to the safest tanning is high protection with gradual exposure.
A tan makes us feel and look good. While dermatologists warn us of the dangers of sunbathing, there is a bright side to the sun. The sun's rays enhance our feelings of well-being - we feel relaxed and revitalized.
They help our bodies to synthesize vitamin D which improves the absorption of minerals. There is also evidence that the full-spectrum light we receive from the sun reaches the brain via the eyes, stimulating the production of hormones, making us feel more energetic and improving our mood. We now know, though, that if we are not careful we can pay a heavy price for a golden tan.
UVB and UVA are bands of ultraviolet light from the sun, which sun products can filter or screen. UVB causes the skin to go red, and, if unprotected for long enough, to burn. It also stimulates the skin's pigment-forming cells, a natural protective measure. UVB is the main cause of skin cancers (which themselves are linked to a history of burning, especially in childhood) and premature ageing of the skin. In Northern Europe, UVB is at its strongest during the summer months, while in hotter climes it's more constant throughout the year.
UVA is less damaging than UVB, but it is thought to increase UVB s burning effect. It penetrates the
skin more deeply than UVB and plays a larger role in ageing the skin, i.e. loss of tone and wrinkles. UVA is also more likely to cause sun-sensitive reactions. It is present at virtually the same strength all year round, even in Britain, which is why many dermatologists are now recommending wearing a moisturizer with built-in sunscreen on a daily basis.
In Australia, which has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, sun protection is taken very seriously. Life guards can throw you off the beach if you're not properly protected. School children too are sent home or kept in if not adequately lotioned up. Draconian may be, sensible certainly. Incidences of skin cancer are expected to fall.
Sun Protection Tips and Sunburn remedies
BE AWARE!
Skin cancer is the third most common cancer occurring in women in the 15-34 year-old age group. If you notice any changes in the size or shape of moles on your skin, itching or bleeding, you should see a specialist as quickly as possible. A common site for skin cancer in women in on the legs. With men, it is often found on the back.
With early detection, skin cancer is curable. Be aware and take preventative measures, too - avoid burning and always cover up with a high protection sunscreen. Sunscreen worn on a daily basis is the single fastest way to protect the health and appearance of your skin, both now and for the future.
Sun PROTECTION: THE SHORT CUT TO STAYING YOUNG
The good news is that protecting your skin from the sun and tanning gradually will cut the cost of sunbathing. You will develop fewer lines and greatly reduce the chances of suffering skin disease.
The key to safer tanning is to know your skin type and to use adequate protection.
Time your exposure to the sun
Your skin has built-in natural protection against the sun. The skin's pigment - melanin - will prevent your skin from burning for a short time if you are not wearing protection. This protection time ranges from ten minutes for very fair skins, which have very little melanin, to many hours for black skins, which contain a lot of melanin. If you multiply this natural protection time by the factor number of your sunscreen cream, you can work out how long you can sunbathe before you start to burn when wearing the sunscreen. The sunscreens recommended below should be used for at least the first two to three days while the skin steps up its production of melanin and you tan.
After this time, you can use a sunscreen with a lower factor, for example from SPF15 to SPF12, if your skin is not red or tender.
Sun protection tips if you are red-haired and freckled with pale eyes This skin type always burns extremely easily and never tans.
Your skin's natural protection time is just ten minutes, so the recommended sunscreen for you is an SPF15 or higher.
Sun Tanning Tips for Different Skin Types
Fair skinned and blue-eyed
This skin type burns easy and tans minimally.
Your skin's natural protection time is ten to fifteen minutes. The recommended sunscreen for your skin is an SPF15 or higher.
Dark hair and eyes and pale skin
This skin type can burn and tans gradually.
Your skin's natural protection time is twenty minutes. A sunscreen of SPF10 or higher is recommended for you.
Olive skin and dark eyes
This skin type hardly burns at all and always tans, but still needs to be protected.
Your skin's natural protection time is between twenty and thirty minutes. The recommended sunscreen for your skin is an SPF6 to SPF8 or higher.
Dark olive skin
This skin type rarely burns and generally tans well.
Your skin's natural protection time is many hours. A sunscreen of SPF4 or higher is recommended.
Black skin
This skin type rarely burns and is deeply pigmented.
Your skin's natural protection time is many hours. A sunscreen of SPF2 or higher is recommended.
TAKE EXTRA CARE
In addition to taking into account your skin's natural protection time when you sunbathe, you should also consider the following factors:
Time of day
The sun's ultraviolet rays are most intense between 11 am and 3 pm. Temperature We gauge the strength of the sun by the warmth we feel, but the infra-red rays, which raise the temperature on the thermometer, are not a guide to the damaging potential of the ultraviolet radiation.
Even on a cloudy day the ultraviolet rays are still quite powerful. Beware as well, when it is windy - the wind makes it seem cooler and we are lulled into a false sense of security. Surroundings Sea, sand, snow and white buildings reflect light and can dramatically increase the effect of ultraviolet rays.
Latitude
The sun is always overhead at the equator, giving your skin more concentrated doses of ultraviolet rays because they pass through less of the atmosphere before they reach you.
Altitude
If you are on holiday in the mountains you're closer to the sun and the atmosphere is thinner, increasing the risk of sunburn.
All-round sun protection
It is important to screen out both UVB and UVA rays, so choose a sun product that has a high ratio of both. Extended protection Many sun preparations now offer waterproof or water-resistant protection - great if you're playing sport in the sunshine or in and out of the water. Even this type of product needs reapplying though, so check the label carefully and follow the reapplication instructions to ensure you're properly protected.
Lips and eyes
These need extra care, so use specialized products whenever possible. Wear sunglasses, too, to prevent you from squinting and to protect from glare.
Sunscreens and skin repair
There is an added advantage to using sunscreens. Studies have shown that, if the skin is protected in this way, it can actually repair the damage done during previous periods of exposure to the sun. New collagen is formed and laid down on top of the damaged, cross-linked connective tissue.
After-sun skincare Advice
- Shower off salt or chlorinated water before it dries on your skin, which may cause irritation.
- Use shower gels after sunbathing rather than soap, which will further dry sun-damaged skin.
- Lavish after-sun lotion on your face and body. It will contain skin-soothing and cooling ingredients, such as aloe vera.
- You could also try aftersuns with fake tan to enhance your natural color without damaging your skin. Fake tans for face and body can, of course, be used any time to create the illusion of a golden tan. The latest formulations are technologically more advanced so you won't be left with those tell-tale orange streaks that characterized early self-tanners.
Sunbeds
Dermatologists strongly advise against using them. The risks of damaging your skin are high and one-third of the people who use them don't get a tan at all.
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