We are in the summer and our body is looking forward to freeing itself from clothes and letting the sun caress you, which stimulates the production of the " molecules of good mood ", of vitamin D that fixes calcium in our bones. And then ... tan we are all a little nicer! The best tan is the gradual and natural one.
To fully enjoy all these benefits, one must know how to expose oneself with due care. Let's see some important tips for tanning.
1) Gradual exposure
Do not expose yourself too long in the first two or three days . At the beginning, do not take more than three quarters of an hour of sun per day (20 minutes in the intense sun). Beyond this limit, no other melanin is produced.
The superficial tan of the first days is due to the melanin immediately available, but it is destined to disappear quickly. Only after about a week does the lasting tan begin to form.
Advice: after the first few days, the duration of the exposure can be progressively increased, without forgetting the adequate protection.
2) Protection
Whether depending on your skin type (skin, hair, eyes), climate, season or latitude; if in doubt, opt for high protection.
Advice: apply sunscreen products before going out, starting in the morning, and renew the application frequently, especially in case of intense sweating and after each prolonged bath. Apply the sunscreen even on dark skin and if you already have a nice tan, possibly reducing the protection factor.
3) Times and times
The best times to expose yourself for a healthy tan are the morning until 11am and the late afternoon after 3pm . Avoid the hours from 12 to 15: at this time of day, solar radiation is at the peak of its intensity (and the danger of skin damage!), If you really don't want to do without it, protect yourself with high factor products protective.
Advice: do not expose children under the age of 3 to the sun during the hours of most intense irradiation (after all, they must not show off their tan to their colleagues when they return!). The skin in fact keeps track of all the rays received during childhood: the greater the quantity, the greater the risk of the appearance of tumors in adulthood.
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4) No perfumes in the sun
To prevent skin tanning and allergic reactions from tanning, do not put alcohol-based perfumes or body water before exposing yourself to the sun; if you take medication ask your doctor for advice .
5) Movement
Advice: sunbathe while walking or playing. In this way the solar radiations are distributed homogeneously over the whole body, the metabolism remains active and your tan will be uniform.
6) Sunstrokes are not taken only on the beach
If you decide to stay outdoors for a bike ride, a walk, water sports or any other activity, it is always advisable to protect yourself with a sun treatment .
Advice: pay attention to circumstances that increase the risk or reduce the perception of danger, such as altitude, slightly cloudy sky, reflective surfaces (snow, sand, water), fresh wind.
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7) Protection in all ways
The sun not only gives your skin a tan: it can be harmful to your eyes.
Advice: wear a hat and sunglasses with approved lenses, able to filter UVA and UVB (CE label). Protect children with a dry shirt: a wet shirt lets the UV filter through.
8) Dry yourself
The mirror effect of the droplets favors highlights and reduces the effectiveness of protective products even if they are resistant to water and can favor sunburn and dehydration. So it is good to dry thoroughly after each bath to get a tan without hassle.
9) At the end of the day
Take a shower with fresh water to remove traces of sea salt (or chlorine if you have been in the pool). Conclude with the after-sun: after exposure the skin must always be hydrated to keep it elastic and keep the tan longer.
Advice: attention to hair should be treated and protected with suitable products
10) Attention to the diet
We do not neglect the nutritional advice for a top tan.
Foods rich in vitamins are able to provide the skin with the right hydration: vitamins C (peppers, citrus fruits and kiwi), E (eggs and broccoli), A- beta-carotene (red or yellow pulp vegetables, carrots), which gives the tan a more golden color ..
Drink lots of water and often . The sun deeply dehydrates our body.
Advice: attention to elderly people, who have a reduced sensation of thirst, and to small children, who need water more and have less effective regulation of body temperature.
