Last Minute Summer Tan
- Caroline S
- Aug 9, 2018
- 3 min read
I don't think it's just me... But in case you aren't thinking the same thing I am, I will spell it out for you.
Summer FLEW by.
Not like a gentle, slow flight. It was like a full force helicopter on its way to save someone's life kinda FAST.
OK that's a bad analogy, but you get the point.
And if you're nodding your head in utter agreement right now, then you are probably looking at the mirror, and your calendar, all while realizing there isn't much time left to get tan.
Or travel.
Or get fit.
Or do your summer homework.
I am here to offer you aid in the tanning category, but good luck with all the others. I hope I can relieve some pressure off of your list of things to do before the summer is up by sharing the ways to get a LAST MINUTE TAN! A safe, natural tan.
Here are my best tips. After research, I collected the reoccurring ideas, and threw in some of my own. I bolded my favorites!
-Don't spend the whole day at the pool. You are exposing yourself to unnecessary sun damage. Most people have a tanning aka melanin (what makes you tan) produce cut off in day, so it is a waste of time to spend hours sweating and overheating.
-ALWAYS wear sunscreen. Sunscreen does not prevent you from tanning, it actually just prevents the harmful rays, therefore, giving you a safer tan and not a burn. SPF 30 is a good option.
-According to Cosmopolitan, SEEK SOME SHADE while getting a tan. "Taking breaks from the sun will reduce UV intensity and your sunburn risk which means your tan will be healthier and longer-lasting" says Dr Frank Schwanke, head of suncare R&D for Beiersdorf.
-Take beta-caretone to improve your skin's ability to tan. Do not abuse vitamins and end up "overdosing." Follow the instructions on the bottle. While I have not tried this myself, I have read that this increases the yellow/orange pigment strength in your body. All the more reason not to abuse it... No one wants to look like a carrot.
-Eat certain foods that can increase your natural SPF protection. Eat tomatoes, carrots, kale, strawberries, oranges, and green tea. In order to help fight inflammation (burns), have dark chocolate, (hello YUM), green leafy veggies, and fish.
-MOISTURIZE. I find that when my skin is hydrated, I tan easily. My skin feels much better while I tan if it isn't dry, since the chlorine, sweat, and sun dry it out already. I also found out that your skin cells need moisture to repair and color well too. Do it before AND after.
-HYDRATE. Just like moisture, your skin cells need water to replenish and look healthy & vibrant. Drinking water will also help reduce your risk for dry or sunburned skin after sun exposure. Do it before AND after.
-Don't wear skin irritants. Sometimes people find that deodorant or scented products make their skin burn with sun exposure. Know what your skin can tolerate!
-NO heavy fabrics that can create weird tan lines. If you're going to get tan, you want natural lines that won't interfere with your daily style and fashion.
-Check the UV index and weather before going out to tan. You can use google to search it. It will give you an indication of how long it is safe to be in the sun, and what the best times are to be outside.
-Stop when your skin feels dry. It can not tan anymore and is more prone to damage.
-Tan in the ocean (best), tan in or next to the pool, or use a reflective beach towels. It will reflect the sun rays on to you.
-Tan in small increments each week. I say a session of 1.5 hours anytime from 11-2 pm, about 2 times a week is best. Spread out the days you tan so your skin can gradually maintain it and darken. If you go 4 hours, 2 days in a row, you will quickly tan and then quickly fade. Not what you want!
-Tan BOTH sides of your body, front and back. I think this tip explains itself.
-And you CAN get tan when it is cloudy! According to multiple sources, 87% of the suns rays (depending on the cloud thickness) make it through the clouds. Now you don't have to be scalding hot and sweaty to get a tan!
Got enough tips?
Did you even have enough time to read these??
Why are you wasting time still reading! Go out and get tan people!
OK but for real now, I will give you an outro just to make this post more professional.
I hope these tips produce good and natural results for you! Everyone deserves to have confidence in their tan going into school. Let me know how they work.
Happy tanning!
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