Why fake tanning is a safer option than the sun!
One of the reasons that I (and probably a lot of people!) use fake tan products is to try and save our skin from the dangers of the sun. Now I am in no way a killjoy and I love getting out in the sun when the weathers good, but I also understand that many risks come with it. As with anything that carries risk, you should do it in moderation; this certainly applies for spending time in the sun.
Generally, skin cancer is caused by long term exposure to the sun and can take years to fully develop. Sunlight contains three different types of ultraviolet rays; UVA, UVB and UVC. UVB is actually what causes us to get sun burnt and long term exposure can lead to skin cancer.
It’s important to understand that there are many factors that have an impact on your risk of getting skin cancer. These include your age, your skin type and whether skin cancer runs in your family or not. Check this page here for a detailed look at who is most at risk from skin cancer.
Getting a few days of sun a year is generally not going to increase your risk of getting sun cancer. It is when you regularly spend time in the sun that the damage is done. Obviously there are several things you can do to combat these risks:
1. Use a very high factor sun tan lotion. A recent study showed that factor 15 is not strong enough to mitigate the risks that come with sun exposure. Try to use a factor 50 when possible.
2. Limit your time in the sun. This is an obvious one, but you can also try to avoid the sun when it is at its strongest; i.e. between 12 and 3pm.
3. Wear protect clothing. You can still enjoy the sun without having to be near naked! Covering up will greatly lower your risk of getting sun burnt and damaging your skin
You’re probably beginning to see the reason why I love to use fake tanners. Because I’m naturally very pale, I like to have a nice glow to my skin. To get this I have two options; the first is to spend lots of time in the sun and put my skin at risk. The second is to use a good fake tan product like idol tan and get a great looking tan the safer way!
Don’t get me wrong, I still get out in the sun whenever possible, but I make sure I cover up and I limit myself to just short periods!
