So, You’re Going to Get a Tan Anyway

By Butch Blasingame

You heard and saw it all –
the risk of skin cancer, the older people with wrinkly, leather-like skin, and the painful sunburns. But, you think it looks so good. A tan used to be a “badge of health” that the rich and famous got on their trips to sunny locales. And, your favorite star has that golden bronze look. So, you decide it’s worth the risk.

Before you take that face that looks like a mime out into the broiler, maybe you should know a few things. A little knowledge could make the difference between gain and pain. Understand that tanning is the skin’s reaction to the sun, the sign that the skin is actually damaged. Best results come with a little preparation beforehand. Without getting into the medical side of things, you need “protection.” Check with your local pharmacist – he or she will be glad to advise you on that ever important SPF – Sun Protection Factor – and give you ideas about what to put on that will let you out in the sun with minimal damage.

Lots of people don’t understand the difference between sunscreen and sun block. Sunscreen has an SPF factor, because it lets some of those rays that do the tanning in. The higher the number, the less sun gets to you. Sun block has no SPF – it is made to just stop those rays. If you see something that says sun block, and it lists an SPF factor – it’s not really sun block. Put this on body parts that you don’t want any sun to get to – and keep it on.

Since the goal is to tan and not to burn, you should take a few things into consideration. First, what is your skin like? If you have a fair complexion, cut your time with sunscreen. If where you’re going is closer to the equator (the middle of the planet for you non-science types), or at high altitude (think skiing), then cut down that time. Also, check the list of medications that you use – some of them can make you much more sensitive to those sunrays.

When you’re out in the sun, limit your stay during that midday time when the rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. if you can. Make sure you have waterproof sunscreen on and that it is on all of you. Reapply it often. Watch out for places you may miss, like the bottoms of your feet. Wear light colored clothes and bathing suits, and remember a hat looks great for your 15 minutes of fame on the beach. A good pair of UV and UVB protecting sunglasses is essential.

Check out other options. You can go to a tanning salon, but this will still damage the skin. And, there are potential problems of sanitation – and you may feel like Dracula. Those self-tanners have a bad rep, but you will be surprised how far they have come. Many of the celebs that you see that tanned look are using the best of these products. Check them out on the shopping channels, and if you give them a try, put it on somewhere for a test first (after you thoroughly read the directions).

Hey, it’s your time in the sun. You want to look like you went on vacation. But, there’s no safe tan. If you decide to take the risk, hit the beach the smart way. You can save yourself a lot of pain, peeling and problems.