Suntan lotion is a summer staple for many Americans. This is also the best way to help you develop an ever-elusive real tan. But is this lotion safe to use? Can it damage your skin? You’re going to find the answers here in this post. So, let’s dive in.
Is Suntan Lotion Harmful to the Skin?
Suntan lotion is a safe product. However, it depends on the lotion you’re using. Keep in mind that not all lotions have the same formulation. Thus, you need to read the label to know the ingredients used in the product. So, is it harmful to the skin?
Suntan lotion, per se, is a safe product. However, you need to use the product with SPF. The goal of this lotion is to attract more UV rays to help you achieve a tan. The ingredients in the lotion allow increased absorption of the rays. When you apply the lotion to the skin, though, it lowers the refractive index of the skin, resulting in more UV rays penetrating it. This results in a nice-looking tan.
Little SPF
But you must understand that suntan lotion contains a lower amount of SPF. In that case, its protection against the sun is limited. Thus, if you wish to use it, make sure to limit your time in the sun. In that way, you’re restricting the harmful sun exposure side effects. You should remember though that sun damage is cumulative. A short period of sun exposure throughout a lifetime can still cause major problems. Thus, when you soak in the sun to tan without protection, you’re putting yourself at risk of suffering from sun damage, including wrinkles, dark spots, and even skin cancer.
Tanning Safely
To apply suntan lotion safely, you need to have a base tan. You can achieve it using a self-tanner or a body bronzer. Once you have a fake tan, you can apply a suntan lotion and allow yourself to be in the sun. However, before you darken your skin, you must understand that darkened skin is the result of increased melanin pigment formation caused by UV rays.
Assess Your Skin
After every sun exposure, make sure to assess your skin for any unusual changes. Keep in mind that sun damage can appear like a sunburn at first. Over time, it leads to irritated skin and wrinkles.
Use SPF
Every time you go out in the sun, make sure to use sunscreen protection. And if you need to achieve a healthy tan and want to use suntan lotion, make sure to prevent overexposing your skin to the sun. Avoid laying out in the sun when its rays are the most powerful. In that case, avoid going out between 10 am and 4 pm.