Your Guide to Tanning Safely in the Sun
How to Look Bronzed, Buff and Effortlessly Beautiful This Summer
Jun 27, 2009
In 1923, Coco Chanel emerged from a yachting holiday with a rich, deep tan that was to change the way we looked at sun tans forever. Once the preserve of poorer peasants who had no choice but to work long hours in the sun, the sun tan was soon to become a status symbol for the rich and famous signifying a life of wealth and pleasure. Over 80 years later, with an incidence of skin cancers and Malignant Melanoma running at an all time high (40,000 new cases in the UK each year, and cases tripling in the US over the last four decades) why hasn't our obsession with a rich dark tan, paled?
Your Tan. Keeping It Real with a Bit of Fakery
A natural tan will always involve exposure to the sun, the skin's number one enemy when it comes to ageing. But, you don't have to look pale and uninteresting for the rest of your days when there are so many fantastic fake tans on the market. Simply select the right one for you, a straight forward fake tan, a moisturising lotion or even a professional spray tan, and you can stay brown and actually still be healthy too! Though there are times when a fake tan just won't cut it.
Getting an All Over Safe Tan in the Sun
For many of us, avoiding the sun and applying fake tan is enough for 51 weeks of the year. But what about your week long beach holiday? Do you really need to sit under the parasol the whole week? The good news is, you can sunbathe if you choose the right sun protection...
Choosing the Right Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
Gone are the days of frying on the beach, covered in tanning oil that will make you as brown and wrinkled as a handbag! Now, all you need to do is choose a sun protection with a high SPF that will allow you to worship the sun, without being condemned to sunburn. In theory, an SPF of 15 will allow you to go out 15 times longer than you would without protection (for pale, English Rose skin, that's probably about 10 minutes, so would protect you for 150 minutes). However, the laboratory testing often doesn't account for a dip in the swimming pool, a good rub with a towel or perspiration. The only way you can ensure protection is to apply liberally and often, especially in the height of the sun.
Not All Sun Tan Lotions are Created Equal
While SPF prevents skin damage from sunburn, it does little against the UVA and UVB rays that are responsible for ageing and wrinkles. To make sure you get the best protection, you've got to take a look at the ingredients listed on the back of the bottle.The main ingredients to look out for in the USA, for maximum protection are avobenzone, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. In the UK, the winners on the double protection stakes are Mexoryl (patented by L'Oreal) and Tinosorb S (also called Tricosene). Both chemicals absorb UVA and UVB rays and as they are photo stable, they don't break down in the sun and can offer good all round protection for your skin.
The Great Cover-Up
Topping up your suntan lotion can be tedious, as well as expensive! It is estimated that the average person on a beach holiday will use two 250ml bottles of lotion over the course of a week's sunbathing. So, how do you protect your skin, without slathering yourself in expensive sun tan products? Simply slip on a cool cotton kaftan, slide a sarong around your waist and put on a wide brimmed hat for instant beach chic, without the sunburn.
Eat Your Antioxidants!
Just as many scientists believe you can't effectively get all your vitamins and minerals from a single pill, so dermatologists are skeptical that eating extra fruit and vegetables can protect your skin. However, a study presented at the British Society for Investigative Dermatology, begs to differ. Researchers at the Universities of Manchester and Newcastle fed ten volunteers 55g of tomato paste and 10g of olive oil daily for three months, and saw the skin's natural sun defenses against sunburn increase by 33%.
"The tomato diet boosted the level of procollagen in the skin significantly. These increasing levels suggest potential reversal of the skin ageing process," said Professor Lesley Rhodes, a dermatologist at the University of Manchester.
Great news for your skin and a great excuse to indulge in spaghetti Bolognese and pizza before your holidays.
And Lastly, You Have Fallen Asleep in the Sun...
You have slopped on the suncream, worn a hat... and fallen asleep. Hours later, you wake up bright red and knowing that you're going to suffer with the sunburn. Don't shower. The pressure of the jets will cause irritation and burning sensations. Instead, apply a specific sun soother that will get to work on repairing the skin before it blisters and peels. If you don't have a specific aftersun treatment, use a moisturiser or body cream to start topping up the skin's lost moisture as soon as possible. Better still, make sure you sunbathe with a friend who can help you avoid sunburn all together, with the all important trip to the bar for a sundowner cocktail!
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