Sunbathing: 5 Tips for a Healthy Tan
I think we all want a nice tan for the summer. But healthy sunbathing has to be learned – with these tips you can get a tan without risk!
Why do we need the sun?
Finally the sun dares to come out from behind the clouds and warms us with its rays! Then we are drawn outside – sunbathing is the desire, beautifully tanned skin the goal. And getting regular sunbathing is important for us, because only then can our skin produce the vital vitamin D. We need the hormone for various metabolic processes and a strong immune system. A vitamin D deficiency, on the other hand, can increase the risk of various diseases, such as diabetes, depression or Alzheimer’s.
Can sunbathing harm us too?
As important as the sun is for us – we should only expose ourselves to it in moderation. Because its UV-A and UV-B rays destroy the important collagen in deeper tissue layers. The result: cell damage and wrinkles. If the immune system is weakened at the same time, the body’s own regeneration can no longer adequately repair this damage, which in turn increases the risk of skin cancer. Particularly with sunburn, the cell damage can be considerable. Tip: Here we tell you everything you need to know about the duration of sunburn.
Sunbathing? Sure – but properly!
So that you can enjoy your sunbathing and not have to worry about your skin, here are the five best tips for healthy tanning:
1. Not without my sunscreen!
It cannot be said often enough: The power of the sun is often underestimated. To prevent skin cancer and so that the skin does not age prematurely, we should always apply sun cream when we are out in the sun or sunbathe properly. Which protection is best for which skin type is revealed in the article Sun protection factor. Important: As the protection provided by sun cream diminishes over time, it should be reapplied regularly (especially after swimming). You can find out more about baby sun cream here!
2. Better not to do without clothes
Even if we are creamed all over our bodies – clothing also offers very good protection against UV radiation. Especially sensitive parts of the body like the scalp and the eyes need every possible protection. Therefore, it is best to wear a sun hat or a scarf and sunglasses when you are outside for a long time.
3. The shade provides only limited protection
Want to take a nap under the parasol? I’d rather not. Even in the shade the sun still has a good 50 percent of its radiant power. So here too, always apply the sunscreen.
4. Avoid the midday heat
Sunbathing should generally be off-limits during lunchtime – because that is when the sun’s UV radiation is at its strongest. Between 12 and about 14 o’clock, it is better to stay in the shade to protect your skin.
5. Do not overdo it
Even if the thought of a whole day in the sun sounds like a dream for many – it is not recommendable. Even if we use sunscreen and wear clothes, a sun hat and sunglasses, the UV radiation reaches our skin to a certain extent. Therefore, we should not sunbathe too long or wander around in the sun. If the skin starts to redden, it means: Get out of the sun – there is the threat of nasty sunburn.