We can bet that almost everyone who reads this article has experienced the unpleasant consequences of too much tanning in the form of burns, redness and burning. Why does this happen and what can be done to prevent it? All doubts related to safe tanning are discussed below.
How do burns occur?
Sunburn refers to the effects of excessive UV rays on the skin, which can occur during sunbathing as well as when using a tanning bed. If the exposure time or intensity exceeds the suggested norm, then the skin is at risk of damage. Sunburn primarily affects the outer layers of the skin, and in more severe cases, damage occurs to the deeper layers of the skin. The problem of sunburn is most common in people with fair skin, whose skin contains little melanin, the pigment that makes the skin tan in response to radiation. It is also worth knowing that sunburns develop for about 1 to 4 hours after sunbathing and are caused by UVB radiation, the so-called erythema-forming radiation. It is UVB radiation that causes the erythema, or redness caused by the dilatation of blood vessels, to appear on the skin. As a rule, the erythema disappears after about 3 days and leaves behind a slight tan. If, however, the condition of the skin does not change, you need to start appropriate action to gently cool and soothe it.
Prevention is better than cure
This age-old truth fits well with the issue of safe tanning. There are several ways to get a beautiful tan without burning. The first is to be sensible, which means choosing the time and frequency of tanning so that it does not strain the skin. Any worrying symptom (such as redness, skin very warm to the touch, itching) should be a signal that this is the moment to end tanning session in a solarium or on the beach. On the other hand, patient dosage of rays will help to achieve a nice and more durable effect, because without discoloration and small scars visible after peeling skin. Another clever way to reduce the exposure time while guaranteeing the intended effect are appropriate tanning intensifying products. They work mainly by speeding up the tanning process and enhancing the color with bronzing ingredients. What else can you do to get a beautiful tan fast? Have a look here.
Oops... or burned skin
And what if, despite your best efforts, you do not manage to protect your skin from burning? Then you should first reach for simple ways to soothe it. Start with a cool shower (not a cold one! - then you may experience a thermal shock), and then try home methods to soothe this type of irritation, such as compresses of buttermilk or kefir, application of strawberry paste, cucumber slices or aloe vera juice. If that doesn't help, then reach for drugstore products that have a soothing and calming effect. In the period when the skin is regenerating you should also resign from products with exfoliating, drying effect (such as alcohol-based), to spare the skin additional irritation. It is also very important that when the skin is in the process of regeneration, it is necessary to provide good conditions for it, that is, give up sunbathing for some time and take care of its regular conditioning and moisturizing to support its protective barrier.
Is there tanning that doesn't burn?
Yes! What's more, there is a tan that is completely safe for people who do not use tanning beds and do not tan in the sun. This way is properly selected self-tanning product or use a professional spray tanning service.
In the article "The Way to a Natural Tan" you'll find tips from experts who know how to properly use self-tanners, such as our natural self-tanning mousse “No-Lie Self Tanning Bronzing Mousse”. The good news for many tanning enthusiasts is also that fake tan does not interfere with the ability to tan in a tanning bed or in the sun. However, going back to the starting point, it is again crucial that the skin does not get burned because then the peeling will make the tanning effect appear unsightly.
Bottom line: the best way to prevent sunburn is to dose your tan wisely, both in the tanning bed and in the sun. To avoid overexposure to UV rays and still enjoy a darker complexion, use tan intensifying products. And if you don't manage to protect yourself from excessive heat build-up, skin irritation and painful blisters, it's worth having both home and professional methods of skin regeneration at hand.