We all know the cliché sayings about summer, but the most important part is getting that perfect golden tan (for those of you who can actually tan instead of frying like a lobster in 2.3 seconds). Laying out at the pool or beach is the goal; it's the most important part of summer.
Funny enough, we know that tanning is pretty much terrible for our skin. It is literally our skin cooking in the sun. While it makes everyone look fantastic today, wait until you're 40 and you'll have a change of mind, I promise. So in the spirit of summer, here are some straight up truths that will change your fun in the sun game.
1. Sunscreen
I hate this stuff, but for my pasty white skin, it's a must. The mayonnaise-like cream that I have to lather on every time I'm in the sun longer than 15 minutes is literally my least favorite part to a day in the sun. I would rather suck on a shard of glass than apply lotion sunscreen. I stick to the spray sunscreen, although it is much less effective than its lotion counterpart. Unfortunately, a lot of lotion sunscreens have harmful or cancer causing chemicals in them. This doesn't mean all sunscreens are bad, some actually help your skin retain moisture and keep it looking healthy.
2. Tans
A tan is your body's response to harmful UV rays. Your body makes more melanin (which gives your skin its color) to protect your skin. So in reality, a tan is basically like a giant scar covering your whole body, trying to heal your damaged skin. There is no such thing as a healthy tan. Tanning in every way shape or form is bad, ESPECIALLY tanning beds. Overtime, tans make your skin loose its elasticity causing premature aging and wrinkling.
3. Sunburns
We've all had them, we all hate them. Sunburns suck, no arguing that. Fortunately for us, they are 100% preventable. According to the FDA, try to stay out of the sun from 10am to 4pm, when the sun is at its strongest. But we know that is not always possible, so when you do get sunburnt, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the pain!
For starters, reapply sunscreen a minimum of every 2 hours, more if you're sweating or in and out of the water. Second, get out of the sun when you get feel yourself getting burnt, it's that simple. When something hurts, don't do it! If you smash your hand with a hammer, you don't do it multiple times, so why would you stay in the sun? Next, get yourself in a cold shower, your skin will continue to burn even after you're out of the sun. Think of a steak, once you take it off the grill, it will continue to cook a little, same concept. Lastly, drench yourself in aloe. Yes it will be cold, but aloe has healing qualities and helps take the heat away from the skin.
4. Peeling
After a bad sunburn you will inevitably start to peel. This is your body trying to heal itself. The skin that is peeling off is literally dead skin from excessive sun exposure. Also, be very careful to not burn the newly exposed skin, as it has not had time to heal completely and is very prone to sunburn. Best advice I can give you is to let the skin peel off naturally to not irritate the new skin underneath.
5. Last Words
Don't take this article as me telling you to stay inside and be an albino. That is just as bad as excessive sun exposure. Our bodies need about 20 minutes of direct sun light a day for maximum vitamin D absorption. But a few rules to help us all avoid wrinkly, leathery skin in a few years:
Wear sunscreen, apply liberally to every part of your body, and don't forget your ears and the tops of your feet, burnt feet are not happy feet. SPF 30 is fine, no need for anything higher, you're just wasting your money.
Wear clothing and sunglasses that protects from UVA/UVB when possible; your eyes are just as susceptible to sun rays as your skin. Wear hats that cover your face. Stay out of the sun during the heat of the day which is from 10am to 4pm. Lastly, NEVER EVER FOR WHATEVER REASON GO TO A TANNING BED! I cannot stress this enough, tanning beds are so bad. Spray tans are fine, though.
