Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Tanning In The Sun The Safe Way

By Haywood Hunter


There are warnings about how too much sun exposure can be harmful, which leads people to slather on tanning lotions or go to tanning salons. Despite these warnings, tanning in the sun can be done effectively without sunburn or harm to your skin. All you have to do is a little prior planning and you can get a beautiful brown tan.



There are two types of rays the skin is exposed to by the sun ultraviolet rays and ultraviolet-B ones. While both will help you tan, the ultraviolet-B rays penetrate deeper into the skin than UVA ones. For this reason, they are the ones that you should be the most concerned about. Without proper precautions like shade and suntan lotion, these rays can penetrate the skin too much, causing sunburns and other damage.

In order to properly protect your body when tanning, you must realize that protection goes beyond just the skin. Your eyes are a vital part of your everyday life and can be damaged by the sun. You must ensure that when you go outside for any significant length of time, that you are wearing sunglasses. Check to ensure that they block both UVA and UVB rays or else they won't be of much help.



One of the keys to not getting sunburned is stay in the sun for a set amount of time, then leave and stay in the shade or indoors for the same amount of time. Alternate sun and shade to help give your skin a rest so that you are not exposed to quite so many of those ultraviolet-B rays. This greatly lessens the risk of a sunburn, which is bad for your health and very uncomfortable.

Before you do head outside to tan, it is of vital importance that you apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before exposure to the sun. Without it, you up the risk of a sunburn, which can be very painful. There is a wide variety of options on the market, but don't think that more expensive or fancy is better. Look for a product that has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15, though pale people should go higher. Bear in mind that the higher the SPF, the less you'll tan, but the better chance you have of not burning.

The key to proper sun exposure is in applying the suntan lotion 20 minutes before going outside. This lets it set in and begin protecting properly. If you are going to be perspiring a lot or in a swimming pool, lake, or the ocean, you should use a moisture-proof sun protecting lotion so it will stay on longer. If you don't have this type, put more of the regular lotion on every half hour or so since it will rinse off faster. If you do use this type, you should still put more regular stuff on at 80 minute intervals or so to prevent burning.

Your regimen after sun exposure is just as important as your pre-sun routine. The rays can really dry out skin, which can lead to uncomfortable itching and even peeling. Apply aloe or a gel or lotion containing aloe onto your body to help rehydrate. This will also soothe skin that may be a little red or burned from being outdoors too long.

Once you get these guidelines down, you can be well on your way to tanning in the sun. That golden brown tan will make you the envy of all your friends and neighbors. You can achieve it with a little prior planning and the right tools. That's all it takes to get you a healthy glow that only the sun can truly provide.




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