All you need to know about tanning

Sun, sea, and sand, it’s the season for all you lovers of the tan! But before you head to the shore to start working on that summer glow, let’s take a look at a few must-knows when it comes to tanning safely.  

1. What’s to say about UV rays?

We’ve all heard about UV rays. But what do we really know about UV rays? Well, firstly, there are three types of UV radiation: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC). All of UVC and most of UVB is absorbed by the earth’s ozone layer, so nearly all of the ultraviolet radiation we get on Earth is UVA. When it comes to which ones affect our health the most, it’s UVA and UVB radiation, and even though UVA radiation is weaker than UVB, it penetrates deeper into the skin and is more constant throughout the year.

2. What’s SPF and how does it help protect skin? 

Every beach outing has one essential and that is sunscreen – with a decent SPF, of course. But what is SPF exactly? SPF – or Sun Protection Factor – is a measure of how well a sunscreen will protect your skin from UVB rays, which is the kind of radiation that causes sunburn, damages skin, and can contribute to skin cancer. Using sunscreen helps decrease your risk of skin cancers and skin pre-cancers, and also helps prevent premature skin aging caused by the sun, including wrinkles, sagging, and age spots. In fact, some research show that daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by about 40 percent and lower your melanoma risk by 50 percent.

3. Is there a safe time to tan?

A general rule when it comes to tanning is avoiding the sun when it is strongest, generally between 10 AM and 4 PM (depending where you live). Also, it helps to know that noon is when the sun is highest in the sky. Sunscreen is especially important between 10 AM and 2 PM, and for extra protection, it is always advisable to wear protective clothing, use SPF 15 or above, and stay hydrated while on the beach. 

4. Should the sun be avoided?

Daily exposure to the sun is actually very important. When natural sunlight hits the skin, it triggers the body’s production of vitamin D, which is also known as “the sunshine vitamin.” Vitamin D is crucial for overall health as it protects against inflammation, lowers high blood pressure, helps muscles, improves brain function, and may even protect against cancer. Adding a bit of sunshine to your life can also have a huge impact on depression, seasonal affective disorder, sleep quality, and even weight loss!