Tanning can be a relaxing activity that can help improve your appearance by giving you a natural glow. It can also improve your mood by providing the body with plenty of vitamin D. However, it’s no secret that tanning can be harmful to your health. To protect yourself from sunburn, heat exhaustion, and to lower your risk of developing skin cancer, there are several before and after tips you should always follow:
1. Check the UV index
The UV index measures the intensity of the sun’s rays on a linear numerical scale. For example, a UV index of six or higher can pose a severe risk to your skin if you stay in the sun too long without protection. As such, tanning should be avoided on days when the UV index is high, so be sure to check the weather before heading out.
2. Always apply sunscreen
It may seem counterintuitive to apply sunscreen if you are trying to get a tan, but wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher will ensure you don’t get a nasty burn. Sunburn doesn’t just hurt and look bad, it can cause irreparable damage to your skin that can lead to skin complications, including skin cancer, and premature aging. As such, it is important to protect your skin and wear sunscreen while laying out.
3. Wear protective clothing and accessories
If you’re spending the day at the beach, bright surfaces like sand and water can amplify the sun’s UV rays. To minimize skin damage after tanning, you may want to cover up for a short period of time or seek some nearby shade to cool off. Be sure to also bring a big sunhat and a long sleeve shirt to put on when you’re done tanning. You should also always wear UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes while tanning.
4. Apply lip balm
Did you know your lips can get sunburned? The skin on your lips is very delicate, so it can easily become dry and burned if you don’t wear protective lip balm. A moisturizing lip balm containing sunscreen should be applied and periodically reapplied while you are tanning.
5. Bring plenty of water
Heat exhaustion and dehydration are two risks associated with sun exposure and tanning. Be sure to bring plenty of cold water to your tan session so you can stay hydrated and cool. You can even pop a few bottles in the freezer overnight so they stay cold longer. If you aren’t a fan of plain water, you can also add frozen strawberries or lemon juice to your drink to enhance the flavor.
6. Rinse off and exfoliate
After you return home from your tanning session, it’s important to rinse off any leftover sunscreen and tanning lotion so it doesn’t clog your pores. Once you get squeaky clean, you can also soften your skin and remove dead cells by gently exfoliating with a loofah sponge. The loofah can help remove excess dirt and oil that may be hiding in your pores and causing acne, so this process is an important part of skincare, especially after you’ve been to the beach.
7. Moisturize after tanning
Moisturizing after tanning can help soften your skin and improve the look of your tan. Dermatologists recommend that it’s best to apply lotion after rinsing away sunscreen and sweat and drying off. There are countless moisturizers available, such as cocoa butter, aloe vera, and shea lotions that can deeply penetrate and moisturize skin, so be sure to pick one that’s formulated for your skin type to get the best results.
