Joanna James
Daydreaming of that time you can head back outside and even go on holiday to work on that perfect tan? Here are some tips to keep in mind that will help you prepare to when you can soak up the sun and provide your skin with a more bronzed shade!
The best and safest way to get a tan is naturally via the sun. That said, it is also commonplace for people to make use of sunbeds and sunlamps which they may think offer a healthier alternative. This would be wrong however; sunbeds have increased levels of UVA rays which have been linked to causing skin cancer. In fact, in 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which is part of the World Health Organisation (WHO), rated such UV-emitting tanning devices as "carcinogenic to humans". (Source: https://www.who.int/phe/news/sunbeds-skin-cancer/en/)
While the sun is the best source for that ideal tan, do remember you shouldn't be freely exposed to it the entire day. You need to plan just how long you will be spending in the sun; remember, even your skin has a cut-off point where it will not be able to produce the tanning pigment known as melanin. Generally, two to three hours a day should suffice, though this can vary due to various factors such as skin type and colour, time of day and climate.
Choosing the right sunscreen is not only important to avoid bad sunburn, but to also protect you from overexposure to the sun's rays; ensure to select a "broad spectrum" sunscreen which means you are covered against UVB and UVA rays. A sunscreen with an SPF 30 protection factor or higher is well-suited and do remember to reapply it every two hours or so. Be you enjoying lazy days on the beach at hotels like Amethyst Resort Passikudah or heading off on a coastal adventure while sightseeing in Sri Lanka, don't forget to choose the right sunscreen!
Believe it or not, certain food will help your skin generate more sun protection. These are ideal and natural solutions that are healthier too. One way to do this is by consuming food that helps to increase lycopene, which is your skin's very own SPF! Orange and red veggies or fruits are ideal for this, with tomatoes being one of the best. The flavonoids in dark chocolate are also believed to help against sunburn, while an alternative would be to take a 25g beta caretone supplement daily which will enhance your protection against UV rays.
Before heading out in the sun, consider exfoliating your skin which is likely to remain moist and will reduce the chance of flaking off. It is also important to remember that when in the sun, one should take breaks in the shade which will decrease the chance of sunburn as well as the UV intensity on the skin. Once done, using a soothing aloe vera gel may also assist for that longer-lasting tan!
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