Tan Don't Burn With ... a good sunscreen

When I was young I was always surprised when I would go out in the sun and come in like a lobster while some of my other friends got that rich bronze tan of their dreams, and we were all out together.

It was only much later in life that I learned that the amount of sun that it actually takes to cause a sunburn depends on skin type and color. The color of your skin is determined by how many pigmentation cells are within your skin, and how they are distributed.

A Dermatologist will talk about pigmentation in the skin by putting them in skin types ranging from a Type 1 through Type 6. It seems that it is these types that determine how easily you burn in the sun, depending on how light or dark your skin is.

Type 1 skin is white to light brown, and Type 6, which is deeply pigmented, dark brown to black. People believe that when you have brown skin you won't burn, but that isn’t actually true in all cases. Even though it is generally true exposure over a lifetime can still risk skin cancer and an overexposure to the sun can still damage and age your skin.

No skin type is entirely safe from sunburn and UV exposure. The energy from the sun eventually penetrates deeply into the skin and causes damage to the DNA of the skins cells and sometimes causes skin cancer. People with brown skin are more likely to develop skin cancer on the lighter areas of their bodies, which includes the palms and fingers.

Did you know that sunburn can actually be considered a radiation burn on your skin? In the summer time when all the trees and leaves are green and the Redbirds sing, a fair skinned person can burn in as little as 15 minutes, however, people with darker skin are less sensitive to the sun and, as a result, may rarely burn.

Your skin will turn red or darker within two to six hours of being burnt. This will then continue to develop up to as much as 24-72 hours. Basically, the more exposure that you receive to UV radiation, the worse the sunburn will become.

The reason why sunburn doesn't affect people with darker skin is the melanin that is present in the skin. Melanin is the pigment within our skin that makes it brown. Melanin absorbs UV rays, making it a natural sunscreen, but only to a certain degree, you still need the added protection of a good sunscreen.

The amount of melanin that is produced by your body is determined genetically and the phases of sunburn are actually your body's way of blocking the UV rays in order to prevent sunburn and other skin damage. However, even if you do have brown skin, it is highly advisable that you still protect your skin against the damage that the sun can cause by applying sunscreen.

Not only will you be protecting against sunburn but you will also keep wrinkles at bay and reduce your risk of skin cancer. So remember to protect yourself when you go outside in the summer sun, and I wish you a healthy tan instead of that nasty burn.

Achieve The Tan You dream Of

Getting a tan for a big event, like a wedding or a vacation, is a much different process than tanning for a competition event. For everyday life, most people strive for a little color to achieve a natural look.

On stage in the competition world, the darker your color, the better. Here are the basics for those who want to achieve a gorgeous tan worthy of a gold medal.

With all of the sun tan products available it is hard to know where to begin but one of the most highly recommended lines is Hoss Sauce Tanning Products.

In a competition one needs to understand why a good tan is important for a competitor’s look. Tanned skin enhances muscle definition by adding depth and dimension to the appearance of your physique. For those with African-American skin, tanning is used to brighten ashy skin tones.

In addition a tan evens out skin tones and any discoloration that may appear under stage lighting. Bright stage lighting can refract color away from the skin, creating a “washed out” look. The tanning process helps to absorb the bright lights and bring out the definition of muscle tone.

There are many methods to go about getting that “suntanned” look. Obviously going out in the sun comes to mind first, but this has its risks.

Tanning beds and salons offer the ease of tanning but without the added risk of overexposure. The most common form of sunless tanning in the competition arena is the use of tanning products available in lotion and spray forms.

Tanning lotions and creams, offer an emollient-based cream that is easily applied on the skin like regular body lotion. The lotions contain ingredients (DHA) that temporarily deposit color onto your skin which develop and darken the skin over a few hours. Lotions go on easily and often have moisturizers built-in to nourish the skin.

Lotions need to be applied carefully to reduce the appearance of streaks or uneven color. Tanning sprays, like Bronze faces, are a quick and efficient way to apply your tan. A spray goes on with minimal streaking and feels light on the skin. In whatever product type you choose, look for key descriptions such as “streak-free”, “easy application” and “non-comedogenic” to ensure a good coverage.

Once you have purchased your tanning product, there is some preparation needed before applying your color. Begin the tanning process 2-3 days before your event. Be sure to block out one hour each day to apply your tanning solution. This time will allow you to “build” the right color by layering applications of the product.

You will need some other supplies also, like disposable gloves, regular body lotion, hair clip, sponge and/or sponge roller, a well lit area with a full length mirror, and dark loose fitting cloths.Start with a clean, oil-free body (no lotions, make-up, anti-perspirants, perfumes, etc.) in a well-lit area with a full-length mirror. Take a shower, exfoliate with a body scrub or loofah sponge and remove any unwanted hair by shaving prior to tanning. Secure long hair up and away from body and face with a hair clip.

Use the disposable gloves to keep solution from staining the palms of your hands. If spray tanning, apply regular body lotion to fingertips and tips of toes to prevent staining. Follow all of the instructions. Afterwards, use a damp sponge or sponge roller to smooth out drips or where solution has settled into cracks of skin. This is especially important around the wrist area, backs of knees and underarms.

When skin is thoroughly dry, dress in dark, loose-fitting clothing because the product may rub off onto clothes as it is developing. Depending on how the product reacts with your skin’s PHP, you may repeat these same steps 1-2 days prior to and the day of your event. Some contestants will apply their product in the same steps but not shower in between.

By starting the tanning process a few days out before your event, you can customize your color to create the perfect looking tan.