If you’re looking to get a natural-looking tan this summer, the beach is the place to be. But before you head out into the sun, there are a few things you need to know about how to tan sensibly on the beach. While everybody wants a golden bronze appearance in summer, it’s not worth risking your short-term or long-term health over.
Use Sunscreen
The first and most important step in how to tan sensibly on the beach is to use sunscreen. It’s important to find a sunscreen that is right for your skin type and that has an SPF of at least 30. Apply the sunscreen evenly all over your body, including to areas that are usually covered by clothing. Be sure to reapply the sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you are swimming or sweating. Many people believe that you cannot get sunburned on a cloudy day. It is important that you protect yourself with sunscreen, even in cloudy weather.
Even if you’re covering up with sunscreen, you will still get some colour if you’re outside in the sun consistently. However, the difference with wearing sunscreen is that you won’t burn and you protect your skin from damaging UV rays. UV radiation is reflected or scattered to varying extents by different surfaces.
Why should we be concerned with burning in the sun? Burning causes our skin to become red and inflamed. This is because the UV rays from the sun damage the DNA in our skin cells. This damage can lead to serious health conditions like skin cancer.
There are three types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB rays and are responsible for causing wrinkles and aging skin. Meanwhile, UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn. UVC rays are the most dangerous, but fortunately, they are mostly absorbed by the ozone layer and don’t reach the ground. However, this doesn’t mean that burning doesn’t cause problems (as we’ve seen!).
Never Complement Your Beach Tan with Sunbeds
Sunbeds are dangerous because they give off high levels of UV radiation. This can increase your risk of skin cancer, especially if you use them regularly. If you want to get a tan, it’s best to do it gradually in the sun. Start with just a few minutes of sun exposure and gradually increase the amount of time you spend in the sun. This will give your skin time to adjust and build up a tan (while still applying sunscreen for protection).
Use the Shade for Breaks
When you’re spending time in the sun, be sure to take breaks in the shade. This will help to prevent you from getting too much sun exposure and will also help to keep you cool. If you’re at the beach, take a break in the shade of an umbrella or a tree. With the right swimwear by Type, you will look amazing wherever you choose to relax on the beach.
Don’t Combine SPF with Fake Tan
When you’re using sunscreen, don’t also use a product that contains a self-tanner. These products can interact and cause your skin to become irritated. What’s more, the fake tan has been known to break down the SPF and make it less effective. Suddenly, you’re out in the sun and your skin is left exposed with very little protection.
If you want a tan this year, allow it to happen gradually while protecting your skin rather than allowing yourself to burn. Seek shade, learn how your skin responds to periods in the sun, and always put your health first!
