Tanning Lotion

Summer is the time of year to show a lot of skin but if it is embarrassingly pale, you might have reason to be self-conscious and hesitant. You know you need to work on a tan but the harmful UV rays make you think twice, so you will need to apply a good quality Tanning Lotion. One thing cannot be emphasized enough; no tan is completely “safe”. Going out into the sun unprotected will potentially cause nasty, painful sunburns, premature aging or even skin cancer. Most of the 57,000 new cases of skin cancer that will be reported this year involve people, who quite frankly, did not take care of their skin while outdoors and did not use Tanning Lotion properly if at all.

SPF means Sun Protection Factor. All sunscreens are given a number between 4 and up, and most dermatologists recommend using a Tanning Lotion with a minimum SPF of 15. A person’s tanning history is the greatest determining factor of how much protection from the Tanning Lotion is actually needed. In general, the paler the complexion, the more SPF is needed. A pharmacist is a good source to consult regarding which SPF level in which Tanning Lotion would work best for you.

It may seem that defining "tanning" should be a simple task but in fact it is not so simple. Tanning occurs when the skin absorbs ultraviolet radiation (commonly called "UV rays") and in response, produces a substance known as melanin, which causes the outer layers of the skin to darken. Despite being referred to as a healthy tan, a tan actually indicates damage to the skin. It can best be described as the very start of a first degree burn. Tanning Lotions with high SPF levels can help minimize the damage to the skin.

The "UV index" refers to how much ultraviolet radiation is hitting the earth's surface at a given point in the day. UV is an invisible light that is always present, though in varying degrees. UVA and UVB are the two types of UV rays that affect the skin. They both have harmful effects so the Tanning Lotion you use should specify that they guard against both.

On any given day before considering sunbathing it's a good idea to check the TV, newspaper or other medium to find out what the UV index is for the day. It is measured from 0 to 10+. The higher the number, the greater the exposure to ultraviolet radiation. On days with a high UV index, extreme caution should be used. Too much time in such conditions and burning and peeling will result. That is why you need to apply plenty of high quality Tanning Lotion to keep your skin safe.