Tanning Lotions: Tanning Without Harming Yourself
A lot of people believe that applying tanning lotions after their exposure to the sun or to the tanning bed or lamp is enough to protect their skin. Unfortunately, applying tanning lotions is NOT enough to protect the skin. According to studies, the actual exposure to the ultraviolet rays can cause damage and premature aging. On the other hand, using those tanning beds or tanning booths expose the skin to even more ultraviolet rays.
If you are one of those people who love to get a tan, you need to protect yourself from damage. To do this, experts recommend they use sunscreen while tanning and the application of tanning lotion thereafter. Never go out into the sun without a sunscreen, especially if you have light colored skin. This kind of skin tends to burn easily when exposed to the sun or the artificial lights from the tanning bed or tanning booth, so you need to be extra careful.
Using Sunscreen
Sunscreen that has SPF factor of less than 15 is ideal for tanning. Do not use sunscreen with high SPF because this can prevent your skin tanning nicely. On the other hand, do not use any sunscreen with SPF that is lower than 8. Sunscreens with SPF that is lower than 8 cannot really protect your skin from harm.
When applying sunscreen, make sure that you cover all areas of the skin that will be exposed to the sun or the tanning light. Aside from applying sunscreen, you should not spend too much time under the sun or the tanning light. How much is too much? According to some experts, maximum exposure should not exceed 30 minutes at one point. If you are sunbathing or using the tanning lamp for the first time, you maximum exposure time should only be 15 minutes at one point.
Application
After sunbathing or using the tanning lamp, do not forget to apply tanning lotion. The tanning lotion will moisturize your skin and give it a more even glow. Before applying tanning lotion, you need to test yourself for allergies. Note that some types of tanning lotions can cause allergic reactions in some people so test the product first before using it. To test the product, apply the lotion in a small area of your skin and wait for signs of irritations or allergic reactions. Some people do not show immediate reactions to tanning lotions so it would be best to wait for a few hours to make sure that you are not allergic to the lotion.
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