There’s just something about having a tan that gives the skin a healthy, youthful glow. But achieving that perfect tan can get tricky really quickly.
It’s very important to listen to the pros when it comes to tanning. If you’re getting it done professionally, make sure to visit a reputable salon.
We’re going to go over some of the basic safety tips for tanning, whether you’re wanting to do a sun tan, a spray tan, or get in a tanning bed.
Read on and make your next tanning experience the best one yet!
Sun Tan
Spending time by the beach or the pool is a great and relatively hassle-free way to get a nice tan.
However, we know by now that the sun can be really damaging to our skin. Be sure to follow these precautions:
Tip #1: Use Sun Protection
This is without a doubt the most critical tip you should keep in mind if you want to go about tanning the natural way.
The correctusage of sunscreen is important enough in our daily lives. It is even more so when trying to achieve a tan.
The sun’s UV-A and UV-B rays can be really harmful to our skin and overall health if we’re not careful.
When choosing a sunscreen, look for one that is at least SPF 30 and offers broad spectrum protection.
Experts say that we should apply one ounce of sunscreen on the entire body. For reference, this amount is enough to fill a shot glass.
Sun protection doesn’t end with sunscreen though. Consider wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes and a wide brim hat to protect your face from burns.
Remember to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, especially if you’re going into the water or playing sports.
Tip #2: Don’t Stay in the Sun for Too Long
Putting on the correct amount of sunscreen is excellent but it doesn’t mean you should bake under the sun for an extended period.
According to experts, after spending 2-3 hours in the sun on a given day, we don’t get any tanner.
It is also advised to time your sun tanning schedule before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m. because the sun is at its most powerful and damaging between that window.
Tanning Bed
Want a tan that screams “I just went on a vacation” but don’t have time to spend at the beach? Tanning beds are great indoor tanning options that you can consider.
Keep the following in mind to avoid any complications from tanning beds:
Tip #1: Keep Sensitive Areas Protected
The magic of tanning beds is that they recreate the effects of staying under the sun artificially through the use of special light bulbs.
This means that you are still exposed to UV-A and UV-B rays that are harmful for the skin.
To prevent as much damage as possible, make sure to wear protective goggles on your tanning sessions.
You can also use UV-blocking towels on areas that are prone to burns, like your face and chest, after exposing them to the lights for a few minutes.
Using sunscreen is also a good way to do it, especially on paler areas of the body which are prone to burns.
Tip #2: Keep Appointments Spaced Out
As mentioned above, using tanning beds still leaves you open to the effects of the sun’s harmful rays.
To mitigate the bad effects of overexposure, your trips to the tanning bed should be infrequent.
The number of times you can do it safely depends on your skin type, but be sure to wait at least 24-48 hours between appointments.
In addition, be careful not to exceed 20 minutes per session.
Talk to the expert at your local tanning salon to get more details for your specific skin concerns.
Spray Tan
Getting a fake tan is a great choice for those who want to get a golden glow that’s sun-damage free. DIY-ing it is possible but it is definitely not foolproof.
We recommend going to a salon to get the best results. Be guided by our safety tips below:
Tip #1: Follow the Experts’ Instructions
Spray tans use the active ingredient dihydroxyacetone (DHA) which reacts to the outer layer of skin, darkening it.
The US Food and Drug Administration considers this safe to apply to the skin.
However, the effects of inhaling or ingesting it have not been studied so it’s best to be cautious about this when getting your spray tan.
Pay special attention to the instructions given to you at your salon and follow them carefully.
Not only will this protect you from accidental inhalation or ingestion, but it could also be the key to the best and even-looking tan possible.
Protective gear like tanning goggles and nose plugs are advised to be used if they are provided.
Tip #2: Prep the Skin Correctly
If the skin isn’t properly prepared, the DHA in spray tans could stick to it in an unflattering way.
To prevent this from happening, try to do the following things as best you could:
If your schedule is in the morning, prep the night before it. If it’s in the afternoon, do your prep the morning of.
Exfoliate to remove dead skin cells that may get in the way of an even application. If you shave, you should also do it beforehand.
It’s important to moisturize so that the spray tan doesn’t cling to any dry patches of your skin.
Conclusion
These days, there are plenty of ways to get a gorgeous tan but each comes with their own set of risks. Like anything in life, it’s best to approach them with caution.
If you’re tanning naturally under the sun or artificially in a bed, mind the damage you could get with the exposure to UV-A and UV-B rays.
If you’re going for a spray tan, remember to follow instructions and prep well.
Follow these safety tips for tanning and get your golden glow on!