How to get a great tan and look after your skin
We can't wait for summer: drinks outside, holidays, sunshine, getting a tan…
But that last one isn't as easy as it sounds – at least not if you want to tan evenly, healthily and in a way that lasts.
Enter sun cream, the bane of many a man's life! But it's non-negotiable if you want to avoid the misery of sunburn, end up peeling and lose that extra colour within days. It also helps prevent dark spots and wrinkles.
For a great tan that lasts, cut out these common mistakes:
The most common sunbathing mistakes
1. "It's cloudy, I don't need sun cream"
Big mistake. The sun's rays pass straight through clouds and reach your skin – and they can be even stronger, as clouds can scatter and reflect UV radiation, increasing its effects (good and bad).
The same goes for the classic "I won't burn in the shade". Clouds aren't the only thing that reflects the sun's rays: glass, water and sand do too. So even if you're going for a swim or sitting under a parasol on the beach, you still need sun cream.
2. "Red today, brown tomorrow"
Forget it! Red skin means sunburn, and however much moisturiser you put on afterwards (and you'll need it), you're going to peel. Avoid burning and you'll avoid a patchy tan.
3. "I've got darker skin – or I'm already tanned – so I don't burn"
Darker skin is tougher and more resilient, but we're sorry to say it burns too. What's more, UV radiation doesn't just cause surface damage; it changes your skin cells, leading to premature ageing or, worse, melanoma and other skin cancers. Protect yourself!
By the same token, apply sun cream to every bit of skin exposed to the sun, even areas you think are tougher because they're covered in hair, like your legs.
4. "I use low-protection sun cream so I tan faster"
Wrong! Sun cream protects you from the sun's harmful rays, and high protection is recommended. Sun cream does not stop you tanning – we'll say it again, it does not stop you tanning. It lets you tan without burning or damaging your skin.
Remember to reapply at least every two hours, and whenever you come out of the water if your sun cream isn't clearly labelled as water-resistant.
5. "I've got a perfectly good bottle from last year"
Careful! Sun cream does go off, and much faster once it's been opened. Out-of-date sun cream obviously won't protect you, but worse still, it can cause a rash or an allergic reaction.
How can you tell whether the bottle in your cupboard is still OK? If it's unopened, check the expiry date, usually on the back. If it's already open, look for the little open-jar symbol with a number followed by an M (6M, for example): that's how many months it stays effective after opening.
Now you know the facts, grab your sun cream and get to it. This summer, your tan will be the envy of the beach 😉
How to Get a Great Tan That Lasts
We can't wait for summer: drinks outside, holidays, sunshine, getting a tan…
But that last one isn't as easy as it sounds – at least not if you want to tan evenly, healthily and in a way that lasts.
Enter sun cream, the bane of many a man's life! But it's non-negotiable if you want to avoid the misery of sunburn, end up peeling and lose that extra colour within days. It also helps prevent dark spots and wrinkles.
For a great tan that lasts, cut out these common mistakes:
The most common sunbathing mistakes
1. "It's cloudy, I don't need sun cream"
Big mistake. The sun's rays pass straight through clouds and reach your skin – and they can be even stronger, as clouds can scatter and reflect UV radiation, increasing its effects (good and bad).
The same goes for the classic "I won't burn in the shade". Clouds aren't the only thing that reflects the sun's rays: glass, water and sand do too. So even if you're going for a swim or sitting under a parasol on the beach, you still need sun cream.
2. "Red today, brown tomorrow"
Forget it! Red skin means sunburn, and however much moisturiser you put on afterwards (and you'll need it), you're going to peel. Avoid burning and you'll avoid a patchy tan.
3. "I've got darker skin – or I'm already tanned – so I don't burn"
Darker skin is tougher and more resilient, but we're sorry to say it burns too. What's more, UV radiation doesn't just cause surface damage; it changes your skin cells, leading to premature ageing or, worse, melanoma and other skin cancers. Protect yourself!
By the same token, apply sun cream to every bit of skin exposed to the sun, even areas you think are tougher because they're covered in hair, like your legs.
4. "I use low-protection sun cream so I tan faster"
Wrong! Sun cream protects you from the sun's harmful rays, and high protection is recommended. Sun cream does not stop you tanning – we'll say it again, it does not stop you tanning. It lets you tan without burning or damaging your skin.
Remember to reapply at least every two hours, and whenever you come out of the water if your sun cream isn't clearly labelled as water-resistant.
5. "I've got a perfectly good bottle from last year"
Careful! Sun cream does go off, and much faster once it's been opened. Out-of-date sun cream obviously won't protect you, but worse still, it can cause a rash or an allergic reaction.
How can you tell whether the bottle in your cupboard is still OK? If it's unopened, check the expiry date, usually on the back. If it's already open, look for the little open-jar symbol with a number followed by an M (6M, for example): that's how many months it stays effective after opening.
Now you know the facts, grab your sun cream and get to it. This summer, your tan will be the envy of the beach 😉