Perfect tan after tanning: 10 rules

1. Consultation with a doctor

The most important rule: before sunbathing, no matter whether in the sun or in a solarium, you need to consult a specialist. A dermatologist, oncologist and gynecologist will help you.

2. Age restrictions

If you are under 18, it is better not to go to the solarium. The fact is that up to this age, human skin is more susceptible to sunburn, which means that the risk of cancer also increases. Moreover, going to the solarium for persons under the age of 18 is officially prohibited in Russia. And add a few extra years to yourself is not worth it.

3. Contraindications

Sunburn is contraindicated when taking antibiotics, hormones, antidepressants, and blood pressure stabilizers. Ultraviolet light seriously reduces the effect of these drugs, moreover, its interaction with some drugs in the body is so little studied that the consequences can be unpredictable!

Also, you can not sunbathe during pregnancy, lactation and during the menstrual cycle.

4. Refrain from washing

Do not shower with soap or gel 4 hours before visiting the solarium and within 4 hours after tanning. Otherwise, you will wash away the top layer of dead cells, depriving the skin of its natural defenses. And after the procedure, washing negates the entire effect of the tanning session.

5. Schedule of visits to the solarium

You cannot visit the solarium every day. The minimum break between sessions should be 1-2 days, depending on the individual sensitivity of the skin.

The very principle of tanning is that ultraviolet rays injure the skin, and it produces melanin as protection. One or two days is enough for the skin to “calm down” after an injury. But if you do not follow this rule and sunbathe every day, after a few years, unpleasant consequences may appear.

6. Tanning time

Getting the right tanning time is very important. It is calculated based on several factors such as lamp wattage, skin type and tanning level. The solarium administrator is obliged to help you with this.

There is a misconception: “If I have not blushed, then I have not sunburned.” This is absolutely wrong! Redness of the skin after a tanning session is nothing more than a burn.

To minimize the risk and not to overdo it, we advise you to sunbathe a little, gradually increasing the session time. Try not to increase your tanning time by more than 2 minutes compared to the last time. And if you have light, sensitive skin, then no more than a minute.

“To get a golden tan, it is enough to go to the solarium 4-5 times. The main thing is to comply with the 50/48 rule. It means that you cannot visit the salon more than 50 times a year, and there must be an interval of 48 hours between sessions. However, the exact timetable depends on skin and hair color. If you…

– a light blonde with blue eyes and you immediately get sunburn on the beach, then a solarium is contraindicated for you;

– a fair-haired lady with brown or blue eyes, and at sea your skin only darkens a little, then the first session can last no more than 3 minutes. Then you can carry out another three to four procedures with an interval of two days, increasing their duration by a minute;

– a brown-haired woman or the owner of dark blond hair – the first contact with ultraviolet light can be 4 minutes. Then it is permissible to increase the time by a minute, repeating sessions with an interval of 2 days;

– dark-skinned brunette – the initial encounter with the artificial sun can be five minutes. Then the procedures are carried out with pauses of two days. You can increase the time gradually, but the longest session should not take more than 10 minutes, ”says Daria Chuvilova, esthetician cosmetologist. Read more expert advice in our material.

7. Protection of vulnerable areas of the body

Remember to protect vulnerable areas of your body – genitals, breasts, eyes, lips, and moles. Doctors recommend not removing your underwear, but if you basically sunbathe topless, use a stikini (nipple protector).

In addition, special glasses must be worn, which must be provided in the solarium. Many people believe that it is enough to close the eyes, but the skin of the eyelids is very thin and is not able to protect the retina from drying out. This can damage your eyesight and even get cataracts.

A cotton cap or kerchief will protect your hair from unwanted effects and prevent it from drying out and thinning.

8. Means for skin protection

Be sure to use special tanning creams in a tanning bed. Unfortunately, this rule is ignored by an incredibly large number of visitors. Most often, the argument is given that, they say, “on me, and so the tan lays down normally.”

However, protective equipment is needed not only to enhance tanning. Their main task is to moisturize the skin before the session. After all, ultraviolet light dries it out, and from this it ages faster. Hydrated skin resists UV rays much better, while remaining youthful and firm.

The question is natural: is it possible to use conventional moisturizing creams for the face and body?

They can and should be used, but they cannot replace professional cosmetics specially designed for tanning beds. The fact is that most moisturizers contain various whitening agents (for example, fruit acids). And you do not go to the solarium for that to nullify the result?

It makes sense not to use tanning creams in a solarium only for allergy sufferers, as well as for people with oily, problem skin, who, on the recommendation of a doctor, visit a solarium to dry the skin.

It is also widely believed that the use of tanning creams results in an unnatural complexion. Believe me, this does not apply to all creams! Undoubtedly, such an effect can be caused by creams with bronzers (an analogue of self-tanning, which manifests itself under the influence of ultraviolet radiation), if they are applied to unburned skin. If we are talking about high-quality creams-activators, then they are able to make the tan even and natural, increasing the production of melanin. A competent solarium administrator should tell you in detail about all available creams and warn you about possible side effects.

9. Remove all unnecessary

Jewelry and contact lenses have no place in a booth. And don’t forget to take off your makeup to avoid uneven tanning and inflammation. We also advise you to refrain from using deodorants.

10. Protect your hair

In order to avoid the negative effects on hair from the artificial sun, you need to get a cotton cap, which can be purchased directly at the salon.