How to Tan Safely

Do you require a sun-kissed glow but don't require to increase your likelihood of getting wrinkles or cancer? While there is no such thing as a healthy, safe tan, it is feasible to reduce the negative effects of tanning by taking the following steps.

Steps

1. Understand how tanning works. Melanocyte cells in your skin produce melanin, which is responsible for your skin color. Everybody has the same number of melanocytes, no matter what their natural skin tone--the difference lies in how much melanin they produce. Exposure to UV light stimulates melanin because the UV rays "break" parts of your DNA, & one of the pieces that breaks off (thymidine dinucleotide or pTpT) triggers melanogenesis (the production of melanin) otherwise known as tanning.[1] Three times the melanin is produced, it protects your skin from UV rays by absorbing them, converting them in to heat, & stopping the creation of free radicals that can destroy DNA. It is the preliminary "breaking" of the DNA to stimulate melanin production that can destroy your skin permanently & lead to skin cancer.

2. Use a self-tanner. This is the only way to "tan" safely because it is not tanning at all, as described in the earlier step. Self-tanning products that contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient react with the dead cells in the outer layer of your skin so that they alter color. There is no increase in melanin production. A sunless tan will last 3-10 days. It is important, however, that you learn How to Apply Self Tanner Properly so that you avoid streaks, orange hands, & dark spots or creases. Lots of individuals who try self tanner & have a negative experience give up & return to tanning in the sun.

• A more temporary tan can be achieved with bronzer or tinted moisturizer.

3. Tan gradually. If you are going to be in the sun, limit your exposure. In lieu of spending 3 hours in direct sun in one day, try to break your tanning sessions in to smaller pieces, such as one hour or a half hour at a time. This reduces the likelihood of sunburn & also gives your body time to equip itself with melanin which not only gives you color, but also protects your skin from the next round of sun exposure. That being said, because you tan in tiny doses doesn't make it safe. You ought to still keep your tanning to a maximum, & supplement with self tanner when your tan starts to fade.

4. Wear sunscreen. Moderate your exposure to UV further by wearing sunscreen. The more naturally fair your skin, the higher sun protection factor (SPF) you'll require. Keep in mind that SPF extends the time you can spend in the sun without suffering from additional damage--it does not eliminate sun destroy altogether. For example, with SPF 10, you can spend 150 minutes in the sun (2.5 hours) but only get the effects of spending 15 minutes tanning.

• Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before you go in the sun. Reapply 15-30 minutes after you are exposed to the sun. After that, only reapply after any activity that might've removed the sunscreen, such as swimming, toweling, or excessive sweating & rubbing.

• The protection offered by sunscreen is tested by the FDA assuming a person applies 2 mg/cm2 of exposed skin.[5] A one that is 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) & weighs 150 lb (68 kg) with a 32 in (82 cm) waist & a bathing suit covering the groin area ought to apply 29 g (about 1 oz) evenly to the uncovered body area to accomplish the advertised protection.

• Conventional sunscreen is not as effective against UVA rays as it is against UVB rays. Both cause skin destroy. Look for sunscreen containing micronized titanium oxide, micronized zinc oxide, avobenzone, & ecamsule, all of which offer better protection against UVA.

5. Take off your sun shades. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) is produced by the pituitary gland, which is tied to your optic nerve, which is sensitive to sunlight. In other words, seeing sunlight triggers the production of the hormone that triggers the production of melanin. Without it, there is actually a greater likelihood of sunburn (& a lower chance of sun tanning) because melanin is produced to protect your skin from further UV destroy.[8] Simultaneously, it is important to protect your eyes from UV destroy. Think about not wearing sun shades in the work of the beginning of your time in the sun, so that the pituitary gland is stimulated, then put on your sun shades for the remainder.

6. Extend your tan. In lieu of going back in to the sun to replenish a fading tan, try to maintain your existing tan for as long as you can. Since the melanin that gives you color is located in the outer layer of your skin, you'll keep it longer by slowing down the rate at which your skin peels or sheds. Apply moisturizer generously three times a day[9] & do not exfoliate your skin.