How to tan safely and without risks for your skin

In the summer everyone wants to look tanned, but you have to do it with caution. Many people have a preference for tanned skin over a paler tone. But achieving the perfect shade can put your skin's health at risk.

We all know the harmful effects on the skin of the UV rays that the sun emits. It can even cause skin cancer in the most extreme cases, as well as minor or intense injuries depending on the time of exposure to the sun that has been had.

Get tanned safely

Getting the perfect tan can also be done without affecting your skin. It's not just about lying in the sun for hours, changing positions from time to time, this is the most dangerous there is. You can achieve the shade you want without taking any chances.

That is why it is important to know how to tan safely and without risks for the skin. Follow these tips to get a magazine cover-worthy golden hue on your next vacation without putting yourself at risk.

• We recommend: "Effects of UVA rays on the skin: 6 advantages and disadvantages"

1. Solar protection

If we are going to be exposed to the sun we must protect ourselves. For many years, the only way to get a dream tan was with prolonged, direct exposure to the sun, with help of some tanning cream that promises to unify the skin tone at the same time that it protects us from the damages of the Sun.

However, it has been proven that exposure to sunlight with insufficient protection and for time prolonged increases the chances of developing skin cancer, one of the most aggressive and potentially lethal. For this reason, exposure to sunlight to tan should be moderate.

If you are going to expose yourself to the sun, you must unquestionably apply sunscreen with a protection factor of 50, which is the highest. Those who promise more than 50 FPS are lying. Wear hats, long-sleeved clothing that protects your arms, sunglasses, and avoid being in the sun for more than 20 minutes. Apply sunscreen every two hours.

• You could also read: "The 7 best bronzers for the beach (low cost or brand)"

2. Tan with the sun

Although it is not recommended, you could get a light tan with these recommendations. For this, the first thing you should do is exfoliate your skin. In this way, the product you apply can have a faster effect and with this have the need for less exposure to the sun.

Apply sunscreen about 20 minutes before going outside. Once you're outside, wait up to 15 minutes and stop tanning. Remember to choose a sunscreen that also offers protection, that is, a product that has at least 15 SPF. Do this for several days until you get a darker tone.

It is important that you know that with this technique you should not expect a very deep tan, as this will put you at great risk of later contracting skin cancer. UV rays are really harmful, so you should expect only a slight darkening of your original shade and not try to go further.

Another important tip is that you should not do this exercise at times when UV exposure is greatest. That is between 10 am and 4 pm, avoid staying for more than 20 continuous minutes under the sun to get a tan, even when wearing sunscreen.

3. Spray bronzers

Today spray bronzers are the safest option to darken the skin. If you want to tan safely and without putting your skin at risk, the best alternative is a spray that will help you achieve it. It does not serve as protection against the sun's rays, so you will have to use a sunscreen to go outside.

This product comes in spray and you just have to spray it on the skin to get a tan, which most of the time is light. It works because it contains a sugar-like molecule that reacts on contact with the skin, creating a brown color and thus the tanning effect.

Some dermatologists also do not advise the use of this product, so it will be advisable to consult your doctor before applying it, as some skin types do not receive the components of this very well bronzer. But in other people it works without problems, becoming the ideal alternative to darken the skin.

This product commonly used in tanning booths. Eyes, mouth and nose should be covered in them so that the spray does not enter the body. However, this is practically impossible, so there are those who advise against these sprays, since inhaling this substance could also cause damage to the body.

4. What to avoid to tan

Tanning is a risk in itself but if you decide to do it, you must take precautions. Just as it is not at all advisable direct and continuous exposure to the sun to tan, there are other alternatives that are not, although they promise that they are. They are alternatives that initially seem safe, since they do not involve direct sunlight on the skin.

One of those options is tanning beds. They have long been advertised as a safe alternative to prolonged exposure to sunlight to get a tan. But today tanning beds are strongly discouraged and they should not be used even once.

These beds emit low levels of UVB rays, which is why they were considered safe, but contain large amounts of UVA rays, which are highly damaging to the skin. The United States government has spoken out against their use and has classified them as carcinogenic.

Another product that is offered as an alternative to show off a good tan are tanning pills. These are illegal, so its components have not been approved as safe. Prolonged intake of this product causes damage to the digestive system, eyes and skin, so it should be avoided.

Bibliographic references

• Rodrigues, A. M., Sniehotta, F. F., Birch-Machin, M. A., & Araujo-Soares, V. (2017). Aware, motivated and striving for a 'safe tan': an exploratory mixed-method study of sun-protection during holidays. Health psychology and behavioral medicine, 5 (1), 276–298. doi: 10.1080 / 21642850.2017.1335205.
• Garone, M., Howard, J., & Fabrikant, J. (2015). A review of common tanning methods. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 8 (2), 43–47.