Get your summer glow and tan on…safely and without fuss!

The summer holidays are finally in sight, and everyone is hard at work planning for the festive season and wrapping up the year.

Eeeek… we are so ready for the holiday to begin.

Speaking of the holidays, have you sorted your summer glow aka tan yet?

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GET THE PERFECT TAN – SAFELY

Spending lazy days lounging around the pool or the beach sound pretty good right now, but while spending time outdoors is great for your mental wellbeing as well as for your vitamin D production, it’s important to take precautions against one of the biggest threats to our skin: the sun.

Exposure to some sunlight can be good for you, but overexposure can be extremely harmful. The sun’s UV rays penetrate the outer layers of our skin and have the ability to reach the deeper layers where they can potentially damage or even destroy skin cells.

UVA rays are the type that cause ageing (think fine lines, wrinkles and that leathery texture we’ve all seen before) and UVB rays are the ones responsible for burning the skin. Without protection against both of these rays, your skin will not only burn, but it can also develop sun spots, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and even precancerous and cancerous growths.

Living in South Africa means that you are likely to develop a tan during summer, even if you take all the proper precautions.

Follow these simple do’s and don’ts to ensure a safe and healthy glow this season.

DO

• Get a fake tan
  While a little bit of sun exposure is good for our vitamin D production, there is no such thing as a healthy tan, with any level of skin darkening indicating damage. The best way to get a golden glow is to use self-tan products at home. Modern formulas are easy to use, offer even, natural-looking colour and don’t result in any mess or fuss.
• Avoid direct sun during peak hours
  The sun’s rays are at their strongest between 10am and 2pm. Try to schedule your outdoor activities outside of those hours, and if not possible, find a spot in the shade and cover up with a sun hat, sunglasses, kaftan or other protective materials.
• Apply after sun lotion
  Even if your skin hasn’t been burnt by the sun, it’s important to hydrate it after sun exposure as the sun can be incredibly drying. Aftersun products are specifically formulated with this in mind, offering plenty of hydration and cooling formulas.
• Choose a broad spectrum SPF formula
  It’s important to select a sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection to ensure you’re protected against sunburn as well as against developing signs of ageing.

DONT’

• Forget to reapply SPF
  Even when a sunscreen is water-resistant, you’ll need to reapply it after each and every swim to ensure you get full protection. In general, it’s recommended to reapply after every two hours, however, you may need to do this more often if you are swimming or sweating, and less often if you are indoors.
• Bake in the sun
  We all know that a fake tan is the healthier option, but regardless of this, there will always be people who opt for a natural tan instead. If you’re going to go that route, it’s important to take precautions. Don’t lie in the sun and bake during peak hours. Rather get your tanning time in early morning or late afternoon. Protect your skin with a tan-enhancing SPF product.
• Forget smaller parts of the body
  It’s so easy to forget to apply SPF to your ears, lips or even between your toes, but don’t neglect these areas: skin cancer often develops on one’s ears because they’re usually forgotten when it comes to sunscreen!

However you are planning to spend your summer holiday, be sure to be sun-smart.

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