Image by Terri Cnudde from Pixabay
Summer is here, and it’s time to hit the sun-kissed golden beaches. And, to get the right skin tan! Since it stands as an issue for some, others look to feel the bronze beauty of it. If you get a good tan, which of course is healthy too, it lasts well the entire season, till the autumn end. And an excellent golden-brown tan will always make you look slim. Basking in the sun boosts the serotonin levels in the body while giving you the feel-good factor. So, there is nothing in comparison to a healthy tan, and getting the right dose of vitamin D.
Before slipping inside your favorite swimwear and donning the fashionable beach slippers, read below the seven amazing ways to get that healthy tan.
What determines a good tan?
When the question of skin tone arises, every individual is different. Their skin texture and tone vary, and some experience a tan faster as compared to others. It occurs due to a large amount of melanin, causing skin pigmentation. Surprisingly, the presence of melanin is everywhere, right from hair, skin, and eyes too!
Light-complexioned people have less amount of melanin, as compared to dark ones resulting in varying percentages of pigmentation and tanning. The body creates melanin in the natural course that protects the deep layers of the skin. And, it is worth noting that, even if you do not take a sunbath, the sun automatically damages the skin.
Unsplash Photo 1. Use good SPF sunscreen.
When you’re hitting sun-kissed beaches, proper application of sunscreen is mandatory. Why? Because it puts a coating over the exposed skin from getting dark. If you tan slowly, then the effect lasts long. Rely upon a good sunscreen lotion or gel having an SPF of 30 and above. Apply sunscreen within 15 to 20 minutes before hitting the beaches or the poolside area. The SPF blocks harmful UV rays and does not tan your skin.
2. Exfoliate your skin well
Tanning is your skin’s reaction to harmful UV rays. With irregular exfoliation, your skin will experience even-layered tanning. To get a healthy tan naturally, you can prepare a scrub pack at home. There are many options you can lay your hands on, but they have to be effective. For instance, mix a spoonful of sugar granules with honey. Make a thorough paste, along with some coffee powder and olive oil. You can also switch over to oatmeal if olive oil is not available. Lastly, add a pinch of coarse salt. Apply the paste smoothly, all over your skin, and give a gentle rub. Leave for 5 to 10 minutes. Wash off with water. Feel the glow and suppleness of your skin.
3. Moisturize thoroughly
Moisturize your body with a good moisturizer the night before you plan to sunbathe. Your skin will glow with a soft tan, and the feel will be silky smooth! While moisturizing, apply on the problematic areas, or the ones, which dry up fast, as compared to the others. If not done correctly, you will get a patchy tan. Bring the use of Australian gold tanning lotion, as it helps in moisturizing and gives a golden glow to your skin. Along with this, keep your body well-hydrated by drinking a lot of fluids, mostly water.
4. Flip your sides
While lying on the deck chairs or the beach towels to tan your entire body, you should keep flipping your sides. It will get you an equal tan all over your body. Position your arms correctly while you are tanning your body facing upwards. And, while lying on your stomach, keep your arms out by your side. Continue flipping over every 10 to 15 minutes. In this manner, your entire body is equally tanned.
5. Wear a hat and shades
The bright sunlight stimulates the hypothalamus glands and also produces melanin, which assists in getting a better tan. Protect your eyes by wearing a sun hat along with UV-protected shades. Follow this religiously while you are sun-tanning on the beach.
Photo: KAL VISUALS/Unsplash 6. Keep a time-check
Staying outside in the sun for a long creates melanin, the pigment responsible for tanning. Every human body has melanin cut-off points, varying between 2 and 3 hours. Most dermatologists on sunbathing are of the opinion that sunbathing is best avoided between 10 AM and 4 PM.
7. Get a good shower
Take a good shower after your tanning session to experience the perfect bronze tone in your skin. It also washes moisturizer, sun-tan oil, and sand particles, and your skin feels soft and smooth. Apply a cooling gel or lotion, preferably made of aloe vera. Its cooling properties protect the skin from any itchiness or excessive dryness. Moreover, your skin will not look patchy or dry in some places.
Tanning precautions
Before or during the tanning process, it is advisable to take all these precautions to remain safe. It is always better to prefer tanning for a short period. Read below the various do’s and don’ts to get a safe and healthy tan.
Don’ts:
- Do not fall asleep under the direct sun.
- Do not apply sunscreen that has less than SPF 30.
- Avoid consuming any alcoholic drink, as it dehydrates the skin quickly.
Do’s:
- Apply and reapply the sunscreen every couple of hours, and once you come out of the water.
- Apply sunscreen on your scalp, hands, feet, and ears.
- Wear a sun hat, and shades, and drink an adequate amount of water.
Takeaway
Most beach-loving people prefer lazing on the sand with a magazine and letting their bodies get a good tan. There are various ways and means you can experience a pleasant and fast tan. Right from wearing an excellent sun-tan lotion, to selecting the right time for basking in the sun– you have to be extra cautious. The seven surprising ways discussed above will help you in getting into your favorite swimwear and head toward the golden beaches.
