Tan Your Hide The Right Way!

Summer is still a long way away, but for those who live for the beach, getting a gorgeous sun tan cuts across seasons, especially if you’re the type who dislikes being ghostly pale any day of the year. And while some ladies are lucky enough to tan pretty easily and evenly, you might want to learn a trick or two (or three, or four) on how to get the perfect bronzed skin if you’ve ever experienced sunburn and all its accompanying discomforts. Or if you aren’t too keen about fake spray-on tans and salon tanning beds.

For starters, it’s best to invest in a sturdy pair of sunglasses. You don’t have to go the fashionista route and splurge on a trendy pair with rhinestones, designer gewgaws, and what-not. The most important thing to consider when buying sunglasses would be the level of UV protection they’ll give your peepers. Same goes for the type of sunscreen you should invest in: if you really burn in a relatively short time, don’t get anything below SPF 30. You’ll peel and flake like old paint if you do.

Slather on sun block for at least half an hour before you soak up the rays of the sun, because this gives your skin time to absorb it. Be especially careful in applying on certain points that are susceptible to peeling, such as on the rounded parts of your shoulders, the tops of your feet, your nose, your nape, and even the spaces behind your ears. Cover every inch of your skin…even those hidden underneath your bathing suit. No spandex can keep out the sun’s rays like a suit of armour, so best get all bases covered (in a manner of speaking). Don’t forget to re-apply sunscreen every couple of hours if you sweat excessively and after swimming.

To keep the dangers of skin cancer at bay, always remember that the best times to get a lovely tan would be before ten in the morning and after three in the afternoon. Between those periods, the ultraviolet rays can wreak havoc on your skin. So if you must go out in the sweltering heat and glare at those times, bring with you a wide-brimmed hat and your sunglasses, apart from the sunscreen protection you’ve applied to your body. Better yet, stay in the shade until it’s okay to get exposed to the rays again. Your skin cells will thank you for it.

That’s not to say a cloudy day means no dangers from ultraviolet rays, however. UV rays are so powerful, they can penetrate clouds (hey, they can go through spandex, remember?), so best invest in a good UV protection lotion as well. Those with aloe and Vitamin E are particularly effective at soothing and moisturizing the skin while providing added protection from harmful UV rays. They also help rehydrate the skin zapped by the sun of its protective moisture.

Lastly, always remember to do tanning in moderation. Don’t think that exposing yourself to sunshine for a prolonged period will mean a more evenly bronzed skin tone, because you might just end up with skin burnt to a crisp or with angry red patches. Wait for 24-48 hours for your skin to “reap” its rewards…in the form of a glorious, glowing tan that’s done the right, effective, and safe way.