Skin tanning guide to get that perfect sun-kissed look

As soon as someone mentions summer, some of the common images that you visualize happen to be a beach, sun hovering above you for hours, poolside, deck chairs, and bikini. In short, you are lounging with your gang, sipping your favorite drink, and flaunting your toned body. Sunbathing is no doubt a fun activity that almost all of us love indulging in, however many of us do it the wrong way.

Unfortunately, as harmless as getting a sunburn seems like, it is not. Sunburn increases your risk for suffering from the deadliest form of skin cancer called melanoma and results in a premature aging. So, what does that mean? Do you have to put an end to your summer bliss? A big no! If done the right way, sun tanning is fun and can give you the perfect golden summer glow.

Here is a complete skin tanning guide that will help you avoid sunburns and get the perfect summer tan.

Sun tanning essentials
Before you plan a beach outing where you wish to go sunbathing, make sure that you have all the essentials so that you succeed in getting the perfect tan. Here are some of the things that you must invest in.

• Swimwear
• Cover-up
• Glares
• Sunscreen with SPF 30 preferably
• Beach towel
• Tanning lotion
• A bottle of water
• Lip balm with SPF

Tips to get the perfect tan
Here are some useful tips that will help you get the perfect sun-kissed look that you wish for.

• Before you hit the beach for the perfect tan, make sure that you have a shaved and exfoliated skin. This is because it is believed that the tan sets well if you have a smooth skin. Also, another reason why you should exfoliate and shave before going for a sun tan is that tanning oil and lotion work well on a smooth skin surface.
• Make sure that you stay hydrated as long hours in the sun can make you feel dehydrated quickly.
• Always listen to your body. At any point during the tanning process, if you feel dizzy, lethargic or if you get a headache, then get out of the sun immediately or take a break before you go out under the sun again.
• One of the most important skin tanning tips is to get acquainted with your skin and understand your tanning cut off time, which is nothing but the time at which your body stops getting tanned. While some people can laze around on a deck chair for three hours and still not get sunburned, for some, even an hour under the sun is enough to get tanned.
• Another useful skin tanning tip is to apply aloe vera gel to your skin to soothe any area that gets sunburned accidentally.

Who should avoid sun tanning?
There are some cases where sun tanning should be avoided as it might cause more harm than good. Here are some of the situations when it is best to ditch sun tanning.

• People with a skin that never tans – Some people’s skin does not tan when it is exposed to the sun and it directly burns. Such people are at a very high risk of suffering from sunburns, which also makes them prone to developing skin cancer. So, if you notice that no matter how long you are in the sun, your skin does not tan, then it is best to ditch the traditional way of getting a tan. You can instead consider getting a fake tan from a salon.
• People with a history of skin cancer – If an individual has suffered from skin cancer, then sunbathing should be something that they should avoid at all cost. Sunbathing might increase their chances of developing the cancer again.
• People consuming medicines that cause photosensitivity – There are certain medicines like birth control pills and blood pressure medications that cause photosensitivity in patients. So, it is essential that you confirm with your doctor if you are under any such medication before you hit the beach for sunbathing.
• Pregnant women – Pregnant women should avoid sun tanning as long hours in the sun might increase their body temperature, which is harmful to the baby and might even lead to a miscarriage.

So, did you find this ultimate skin tanning guide useful? How do you practice safe skin tanning?