Common Tanning Myths and Mistakes to Avoid
“I have to burn before I tan” – No, you don’t. A lot of people with fair skin believe this old myth because they spend too long in the sun during the early stages of the tanning process, and they were too impatient to do it correctly. The truth is that your burn might fade to a tan, but it actually slows down the tanning process, as your skin has to heal before you should sunbathe again, and it causes peeling, which strips away color.
Once you’ve got a tan, you can’t get burned – There is a kernel of truth in the center of this lie. The more tanned you are, the longer it will take for you to burn, but you can still get burned. Don’t get fooled into believing that just because you’ve established a base tan you can spend as long as you want in the sun without burning. You’ll end up paying a painful price.
You have to sunbathe every day for the best results – Not only is this false, it can cause unnecessary damage, and even potentially slow down the tanning process. Your skin needs time to recover in between tanning sessions. While you’re establishing your tan, it is recommended that you sunbathe every other day. Once you’ve reached the color you desire, you can decrease your tanning sessions to a few times a week.
Wearing sunscreen while you tan doesn’t make any sense – It might seem counterintuitive to wear sunblock when you’re trying to get a tan, but it’s actually an important part of the process. While it is true that wearing a medium SPF sunscreen will allow you to tan without burning. It will give your skin time to adjust to sun exposure while you’re melanin production is ramping up.
It’s best to sun tan during the sun’s peak hours – The sun’s peak hours vary slightly depending upon your location and the time of year. You should become acquainted with the peak hours where you are, and avoid sunbathing during this time. Some people mistakenly believe that because the sun is the most intense during this time, it’s the best time to tan. The truth is that it makes you more prone to burning, even if you already have a tan, increases your risk of developing skin cancer, and you’re more likely to have unpleasant, and potentially dangerous, symptoms of overexposure. Sunbathing while it is sunny, but not during the most intense hours, is a much safer and pleasant way to get a tan.
You don’t have to wear sunglasses as long as you keep your eyes closed while you’re lying on your back – This is one of the most dangerous and common sun tanning myths out there. Many people think of sunglasses as a fashion statement, not protective gear, but they serve a purpose far more important than making you look like a movie star. They protect your eyes from UV damage that can lead to all sorts of eye problems, including the development of cataracts, and visual disturbances like night blindness, becoming color blind, and in the most extreme cases, complete blindness. Your eyelids only block a small fraction of the UV rays you’re exposed to. The skin is thin, nearly transparent on some people, and closing your eyes is absolutely not a replacement for the protection offered by sunglasses. If you’re worried about the lines caused from wearing sunglasses, remember that it’s a very small price to pay compared to irreversible sight damage. You can minimize lines by choosing shades that are smaller, and you can always use bronzers and other cosmetics to help minimize the contrast.
Tanning oils are a waste of money – While tanning lotions and oils are not totally necessary, they’re certainly beneficial. The ingredients in these products are specially formulated to help your skin stay hydrated and healthy while you sun tan. Your hydrated skin will be primed to absorb the sun’s rays, helping you to tan more quickly. Many of these products also contain accelerators that encourage your skin’s melanin production when you’re exposed to the sun, which means you’ll obtain color at a much faster rate than you would without them.
