Summer makes you feel giddy just thinking about the beach, the waves, and refreshing drinks that will satisfy your parched throat. You might also be looking forward to having a glowing sun-kissed skin. But with all of the known dangers of exposing your skin to the sun for too long, you might be wary of splaying out into the sand and getting that tan.
Before you work on getting the glow of a sun-kissed skin, make sure that you are well-prepared for a safe tanning with a natural skin care. But first, learn how dangerous it is to do this unprepared.
Dangers of Sun Exposure
To get a tan without damaging your skin, you first need to know about basic facts. These things will sound familiar and it will give you a deeper understanding of how just how dangerous it is to expose your skin to the sun.
Almost all of the skin care products you can buy has SPF. Experts and doctors highly advise using products that have SPF because it helps defend the skin from getting damaged. But what does it really mean to protect the skin from the sun?
- Harmful UV rays.
There are different kinds of UV rays. There are UVA, UVB, and UVC. But the first two are the only ones that get past the layers of atmosphere and reach the earth. Both UVA and UVB can damage the skin and cause problems from sunburn to having skin cancer.
- Premature skin aging.
Unprotected skin, when exposed to the sun, is prone to premature skin aging. It boosts the deterioration of the skin and this leads to the formation of wrinkles, fine lines, and sun spots.
- Sunburn.
Although this is a common issue that happens when you stay out too long in the sun, it is still a sign that the skin is damaged. The effects of the sun and the signs of sunburn depend on your skin type, the period of exposure, and how intense the sun is. Darker skin tends to have higher tolerance compared to fair and white skin.
Other damages include the dryness of the skin, irritation and the development of skin cancer. While you can prevent drying and irritation by using some essential oils like lavender and castor oil, it’s still best to be aware of what you’re exposing your skin to. Some damages also accumulate over time only to grow into worst cases like skin diseases. Covering yourself up or using an umbrella does not do the trick. Get ready to lie down under the sun and let its warmth give your skin a bronze color.
Tips to Safely Get A Natural Sun-Kissed Skin
A bronze skin is not far from your reach. Gear up with these tips for a safe and natural skin care that lets you enjoy tanning without the dangers of skin damage. Remember to consider the risks of tanning before you do it.
- Avoid artificial tanning.
Technology made it easier to devise ways to get a tan fast and easy. But some of these methods are dangerous and also carry risks of skin damage. These alternatives include tanning beds and sprays. You also need to consider tanning oils. These are products that help boost the speed of tanning on the skin by attracting UV rays. This is quite risky for skin health.
- Prepare the skin before going out.
Because tanning only affects the outermost layer of the skin, you need to make sure that you’ve removed the layer of the build-up dirt, dead skin cells, and toxins. Start with a fresh surface to get a nice bronze. You can do this by exfoliating the skin with some homemade recipe. While you’re at it, why not turn it into a pampering session? Turn up some music and use rose oil for aromatherapy to enrich your experience.
- Drink lots of water.
This does not have any other effect than preventing dehydration. But it also replenishes the water that you lose by sweating which helps the body flush out toxins. It also improves blood flow and gives the skin a healthy glow.
- Layer up on sunscreen.
Aside from applying sunscreen before tanning, you should also remember to frequently apply some on your skin every 30 minutes or as directed on the label. This helps create that layer of protection that defends skin from sun damage.
- Pick a time where the sun’s warmth is gentle on skin.
There are a lot of things you need to consider when tanning. This includes picking the right time to do it. From 11 am until 2 in the afternoon, the sun tends to get to its most intense level. While you can tan your skin faster during these times, it might prove to be too harsh on the skin. Since 7 am until 9 in the morning is when the sun proves to be healthy and nourishing, you can choose this time to go get that lovely bronze color. But you also need to remember not to exceed two hours of exposure or you might risk some painful skin damage.
- Replenish skin moisture.
You can exfoliate the skin right after tanning but you can also opt to leave it out of your routine. However, make sure to cleanse the skin gently and apply some moisturizers. Essential oils also work well to hydrate the skin deeply. One of the oils that you can use is the castor oil of AromaOils. It works for all skin types and is a great moisturizer.
