After months of having to stay inside due to cold weather, when the sun finally comes out and the temperatures rise, who doesn't want to run outside and bask in the sun? However, while you're sunbathing over spring break, or trying to achieve the perfect sun-kissed look, do it the right way: safely and effectively. By following these twelve steps, your tan can be healthy, radiant, and long lasting.
1. Exfoliate before sun exposure.
By exfoliating your skin, you remove dead skin cells from your uppermost skin level. This allows for a fresh layer of skin to tan easier.
2. Wear a sunhat and shades.
The most delicate skin is the part around your eyes. Your eyes are also very susceptible to harmful UV rays. By not protecting your eyes disease such as cataract, macular degeneration, and eye cancers. Wearing a sun hat protects your faces, ears, and scalp by still allowing you to get a gorgeous tan.
3. Wear sunscreen!
If you do not wear a sunscreen, harmful UVA and UVB rays will reach your skin. If you use a low SPF, a tan is still possible. Choose an SPF level of at least 15. Allow the sunscreen approximately 20 minutes to soak in. Also, pick out a lip balm with an SPF, your lips can also be susceptible to burning, and OW! who wants dry, peeling burnt lips?
4. Try using natural oils.
Natural oils, such as coconut, olive, or hazelnut oil can easily attract the sun to give you a natural glow. They can easily be washed off after your sun sesh!
5. Do not shower before you go tanning.
Your skin has natural oils in it that help soak up the sun, so do not shower before you go tanning, or you will wash those away.
6. Move while you're sunbathing.
If you only lay in one position, you will not get a completely even tan. Make sure that you move your arms and legs to avoid awkward tan lines.
7. Try to get next to water.
Water reflects sunlight so by being next to water, you will attract the sunlight even more. So grab a pool float or a beach towel and get next to some water!
8. Position yourself directly in the sunlight.
Whether it is out in your backyard, by the pool, or at the beach, you want to be in direct sunlight to achieve an even tan.
9. Lay out between 10 AM and 4 PM.
By laying out when the sun is at its peak, you will get tan, quicker!
10. Moisturize after tanning.
Use a good moisturizer after tanning to keep your skin cool and replenished. Moisturizing will prevent your skin from drying out from all of that sunshine.
11. Take care of any burns.
Sunburns happen sometimes despite your efforts to prevent them, but do not just blow off a sunburn, take care of it. Apply a compress of either cold water, or witch hazel, take a cold shower, and soothe with aloe. It is important to remember that sunburns increase the risk of skin cancer, so do not make the same mistake twice.
12. Do NOT overexpose!
Being tan is nice, but have you ever heard the saying "too much of a good thing can be a bad thing?", this is the case with sun exposure. The best way to get a healthy tan is in small doses. Do not bake your body!
Have fun in the sun, but stay safe, too!
