How to Make Sure That the Sun Doesn’t Tan You

When it comes to anti-aging and the wellness and wellbeing of your skin, there is one tip that surpasses all others in terms of importance: stay out of the sun. Skin tanning has increased, especially as harmful UV rays start to penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere more prominently. We’re not just talking about lying on a beach getting a deliberate tan, either. Tanning can occur when you are going about your daily life, due to the prevalence of these harmful UV rays. It is a problem for both men and women, and something that all people should be aware of at all ages.

 

To protect your skin from tanning, you should ensure that you put in place a robust skin care regime. Prolonged exposure to the harsh sun can cause burns as well as leading to sun spots on the skin, but there are things that you can do to reduce tanning. These are natural ways that do not involve using sun blocks or sun lotions (many of which are quite ineffective).

 

It is important to use a sun block or lotion whenever you are out in the sun, but it is not enough to simply rely on this to protect you from tanning. The easiest and most convenient way of protecting your skin from tanning is to cover it up. Cover your hands and legs and your face when you are out.

 

A decent scrub can also help to remove tan from the skin. Every time you have been exposed to the sun, you should use a good scrub to remove dead skin cells and tan. If you don’t manage to do this every day, then aim for at least once a week to get the tan off your skin. Do not bleach your skin – ever. When you bleach your skin and then expose it to the sun, you are actually more susceptible to tanning than ever before.

Categories: aging, bleach, harmful uv, nbsp, rays, skin, tan, Tanning, uv rays

Sunscreen: What Should You Be Aware Of?

Sunscreen is something that you should use generously and according to the label directions, and if you choose a good one it will serve you well as a great skin protector. There are so many sunscreens on the market now that choosing one can be daunting, but once you’re aware of the prime ingredients to be on the lookout for it will seem far easier. Begin by remembering the bigger picture – sunscreen is there to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, but there are certain elements of good sun safety that should never be overlooked. For example, you should avoid the sun during peak hours, which generally fall between 10am and 2pm. These hours are prime for the sun’s potency and the UV rays are especially harsh during this time. You should also wear protective clothing, including a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses. Lastly, always wear sunscreen – this should be applied generously and reapplied throughout the day. Research has never shown a connection between wearing sunscreen and an increase in the risk of skin cancer, and most experts have never claimed that this rumour is true. However, there have been studies which suggest that sunscreen can reduce the risk of melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer.

 

There are two types of UV light, UVA and UVB, which can both cause damage to the skin. A broad-spectrum sunscreen can protect you from both. UVA rays are responsible for premature ageing, whilst UVB rays burn your skin. Too much exposure of either one will increase your chances of developing skin cancer. You should aim to find a protective sunscreen that shields your skin from the effects of the sun. SPF stands for sun protection factor, which is an indicator as to how well the lotion deflects the UVB rays. It is calculated by how long it would take for the sun to burn the skin if it has been treated with the lotion, compared to bare skin. In theory, the higher the number the more protection you have. However, it isn’t that easy and most people are unaware of this. Even when applied correctly, an SPF 30 only provides slightly more protection than SPF 15 – it isn’t double as many people think. There are two forms of sunscreen, organic and inorganic. The former use active ingredients to absorb the UV radiation and convert it into a small amount of heat. Inorganic sunscreens are also called physical sunscreens, and work by reflecting the radiation. The type of sunscreen you use is whichever works best for you, and you can normally find types that specifically target certain body areas. For example, a spray may work better for areas such as the scalp, whereas a cream could be beneficial to drier areas such as the face.

The most important thing to remember is that the amount of sunscreen you use is imperative. Most people don’t apply enough, so the protection you receive suffers. Aim to use a blob the size of a 50p coin on your arms and legs, and one the size of a 20p coin for your face. As previously stated, you should also protect your skin with clothes and a hat. If you go swimming, you need to reapply when you get out – even sunscreens that are advertised as waterproof need to be reapplied once you’ve dried off, as they won’t remain protective. You should also reapply more regularly if you’re on sand or standing on a concrete surface, as these will reflect the light and increase the risk of burning.

Categories: anti-ageing, Protection, rays, skin, Skin Cancer, sun damage, sunscreen, sunscreens, uvb rays

What is Tanning Really Doing to Your Skin?

There’s no such thing as a healthy tan, whether you’ve done it naturally or with the use of a sun bed. Exposing yourself to too much ultraviolet radiation is extremely dangerous for your health, leading to sunburn, eye damage, and an increased risk of skin cancer. In order to really protect yourself from this damage, you should educate yourself on the risks of the sun and how you can protect your skin in the future. Ultraviolet, or UV, rays are a type of invisible light given off by the sun and certain kinds of lamps such as tanning beds. There are differences between UVA and UVB rays, such as how deep they penetrate the skin, but both are associated with health risks and sun lamps emit both kinds. Depending on the kind of sunbed you’re using will depend on how strong the lamp is, and as such how strong the exposure to these damaging rays is. Studies show that a tanning bed can emit up to 15 times the amount of UVA radiation that the sun produces. This goes some way to showing just how damaging these rays are.

 

Exposing your skin to UV rays produces a tanned effect, which has become increasingly desirable in recent years. You may think you’re achieving that healthy glow you’ve been craving, but the reality is that a tan is the sign of damaged skin. Many people also mistakenly believe that tanning on  sunbed provides a certain level of natural protection from sunburn on holidays to sunnier climes. This isn’t true, and actually provides very limited protection from solar UV. It’s not all bad news, of course – sunbeds do help to kill germs and treat some skin conditions, such as rickets, eczema and psoriasis, but the UV radiation you’re exposed to far outweighs the benefits. You shouldn’t attempt to treat these conditions with UV radiation without consulting your GP first, as it can be very dangerous. One of the common associations with UV radiation is that your body produces the much-sought after vitamin D after your skin is exposed to it. Your body can change how much this happens though, such as your skin pigmentation, age and how much sunscreen you use. In addition to this, there have been no studies as to whether UV-induced vitamin D synthesis can happen without increasing your risk of skin cancer. You can source vitamin D far more safely from your diet, by eating more eggs, fish and fortified products like bread and cereal. Supplements are also useful if you’re finding that you’re not getting enough vitamin D through your diet alone.

If you are exposing yourself to solar UV radiation, you should try to protect your skin as best you can. Try to find shade where possible, and always wear sunscreen to protect your skin. Wear protective clothing, such as sunglasses and a hat, and try to avoid sitting in the direct sunlight between 11am and 4pm as this is when it is at its strongest. If you have young children, they should be discouraged from spending too much time out in the sun. If you are going to use sunbeds, make sure that you follow safe practices outlined by the staff and check that the bed you’re using has been labelled for safety, so that you know it is as safe as it can be. Too much sun exposure can be very dangerous, as well as causing premature ageing, so it’s best to avoid it where possible to keep your skin healthy.

Categories: radiation, rays, skin, Skin Cancer, solar uv, Sun Exposure, Tanning, uv radiation, uv rays, vitamin