Beach season is about to begin and many people are already getting ready to go out and celebrate May with barbecues, swimming and sunbathing. It’s time to think about how to prepare for ultraviolet radiation without negative consequences. We’ve followed the advice of doctors, beauticians and beach goers. These tips will help you get a tan that will make you envious!
Here are the 20 steps to take to make sure you get a flawless, long-lasting tan without getting sunburned.
1. Peeling and exfoliating
You’ve probably noticed that in winter, traces of skin can remain on your skin if you run your nail over it. These are dead parts of the epidermis. Get rid of them so that they don’t interfere with your tanning process or clog your pores. Exfoliate well a day or two before tanning. Another benefit of the procedure is that it helps get rid of irritation after waxing and shaving. In addition, exfoliation and peeling give the skin a smoothness and a beautiful glow.
2. Hammam
The ideal option is to enjoy the benefits of a steam room or sauna so that the skin is heated with steam and only then perform exfoliation and scrubbing procedures. It is not recommended to sunbathe immediately after cleansing the skin.
3. Hair removal or shaving
Many girls wax just before going to the beach, but it is not recommended. There will be small cracks or scratches on the skin that you won’t even notice. However, over time, you will notice that the beautiful chocolate skin is dotted with white patches of scars. It doesn’t look sexy, and it doesn’t look chic. The hair should be removed at least a day before sunbathing.
4. Lip protection
The skin on the lips is very delicate and under the influence of sun and water can crack and cause chapping. To avoid this, always use a hygienic lip balm or lipstick; or better yet, make it yourself.
5. Protect the nose
The skin on the nose is also sensitive. To prevent the skin on the nose from peeling, after tanning, make a mask on the nose from grated cucumber. When tanning, don’t forget to apply protective lotions and creams on the nose. We also advise you not to expose your face to the sun all the time, otherwise it will age quickly. Wear a hat, it gives a certain style.
6. Nipple protection
If you prefer to tan on naturist beaches or topless, make sure you use nipple covers. Some say that nipple tanning can cause breast cancer, so it’s best to play it safe. The skin on the nipples is thin and delicate. Nipple stickers are cheap. They can be purchased at any drugstore or solarium. The advantage is that these stickers do not fall off when swimming. Stick them on carefully, covering the entire nipple and the halo (peripapillary circle) around it.
7. Pre-tan
Never expose yourself immediately to the sun for a long period of time, especially for those who have very light skin and do not have the discomfort of people used to the sun. If a southerner sits quietly on the beach all day, a northerner can have red and burned skin in half an hour. It is desirable that the first sunbath lasts about 15 minutes. Gradually increase the time so that the skin becomes tanned without burning.
8. Solarium sessions
Many prepare for beach season by visiting solariums. This is a good option if you follow all the rules of tanning in a solarium. Be sure to read the conditions of such a tanning. Some salons don’t care about burning you, so don’t be fooled by the pleas to tan longer. It’s like the sun, you have to go very gradually!
9. Diet
Yes, yes, you read that correctly. For a good tan, you need to follow special diets. To make the color more beautiful, add more carrots or carrot juice to your diet. Moreover, carrots are nutritious, tasty, good for health and figure. Another interesting benefit is that carrots are part of the anti-aging foods – foods that slow down the aging process.
10. The right tanning product
There’s no need to let the process take its course and be stingy about the quality of tanning products. They will help to fix the pigment and protect the skin from the traumatic effects of the sun. Creams must be selected individually and for this it is important to know your skin type. A pharmacist will help you find the most suitable cream.
11. Choosing a swimsuit
The choice of swimwear is just as important. Many girls buy swimsuits on the basis of “I look good in them”. If you want to stay in the shade all the time, choose any style. But for a nice tan, it’s best to get the more open styles with narrow, removable straps.
12. Time of day to tan
The most favorable time for natural tanning is the hours before noon and after 5 pm. You should not tan between 12:00 and 5:00 pm, as the sun’s rays are most active at this time and you may burn instead of tanning. Please note that this time frame may vary from city to city and region to region.
13. Tan while standing or moving
The most even tanning comes out when we are standing. If you lie down all the time, the sides, as well as the inner area of the legs and arms, will be lighter than the stomach and back. Go for beach games – this will allow you to tan evenly on the move.
14. Moisturize your skin after sun exposure
Skin dries out when exposed to the sun. To keep it from peeling off, be sure to moisturize your entire body. When you come back from the beach or the tanning booth, wash off any tanning oil residue, take a shower and apply baby oil or cream to your skin. Before using any product, it is important to test for allergies.
15. Makeup Removal
I often see my friends putting on makeup before the beach, like they’re going to a party. You can’t do that. First of all, the skin won’t tan well under a ton of cosmetics. Second, pores will expand in the heat, and cosmetics, sweat and dirt will clog up inside and pimples and/or blackheads will appear. Third, makeup does not allow the skin to receive all the benefits of a beach vacation, including minerals from the sea and vitamin D from the sunlight.
16. Duration of tanning
After you have already prepared the skin for tanning and started to increase the duration of the solar procedures, the total duration at a time should not exceed a few hours. Again, it all depends on your skin type. If you still want to relax on the beach, lie under an umbrella. You can wear a wide-brimmed hat and throw a sarong over your shoulders.
17. Alternating sun and water
Don’t just lie in the sun – make sure you bathe, even if you don’t like swimming. Just wash in the water from time to time. The water will give a temperature contrast (it rejuvenates the skin), provide extra hydration and help you tan more intensely. Even if you’re sunbathing in the backyard in the country, water your skin anyway.
18. A few breaks
Of course, if you’re on vacation by the sea, you won’t want to miss the beach. But if possible, don’t go out in the sun every day. This way, you protect the skin from burning and premature aging and fix the tan.
19. Medical contraindications
Avoid active tanning if you have warts, varicose veins, rosacea (enlarged red blood vessels under the skin) or numerous moles. In these cases, the sun’s rays are harmful, so it’s best to protect yourself under an umbrella. By the way, in the shade, the skin also tans, but not badly.
20. Procedures for protection against burns
If your temperature has risen, your skin has turned pink or (worse) red, do not let the process take its course, urgently apply protective measures. Classics of the genre – kefir. Simply slather on fresh kefir to relieve irritation and redness. If you do not want to dirty the whole house, take a bath, pour 1 to 2 bottles of kefir into the water and stay there for at least half an hour. By the way, the skin will become tender, like a baby’s! You can also use natural remedies for sunburn.