Womens Issues Article | Beauty Tips - Sunscreen and Tanning Products Are Not All the SameMore Than Articles

Beauty Tips - Sunscreen and Tanning Products Are Not All the Same

Many of us like to visit the beach where we can lay around and soak in the sun as well as earn our selves a good dark tan in the process. However medical research has proven that the sun can cause more harm than good to the skin, so all necessary precautions need to be taken in order to protect ourselves. There are numerous sunscreen and tanning lotions on the market today ranging from the dirt cheap to the ultra expensive. The cream or lotion that you pick up really depends on what you can afford; however there is not much difference between an expensive or a really cheap cream just as long as you don’t pickup something substandard.

More and more medical research is becoming available about the effects sun has on skin. From premature aging to skin cancers, dermatology experts recommend the consistent use of sunscreen to protect skin from the sun’s rays regardless of the season. Any exposed skin is just as susceptible to the sun in the middle of winter as in the middle of the summer. Sunscreen should also be applied when utilizing a tanning bed and there are special formulas of sunscreen lotion available for this purpose.

Sunscreen products can be found in a variety of forms including lotions, creams, sprays, oils, gels, shampoos and conditioners, and even lip balm. Every sunscreen contains an SPF rating. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and it measures the sunscreen’s ability to absorb or block UVB radiation from the sun. The higher the SPF number, the more protection is offered. For example, using an SPF 15 means you can be in the sun fifteen times longer as without the sunscreen protection and receive the same level of sunburn. Most sunscreen are waterproof and sweatproof but should still be reapplied often, in even coats, over exposed skin. Some brands of sunscreen, especially those developed for children, come in an assortment of colors that turn clear when absorbed into the skin. These tinted lotions help identify areas of the skin that have not been properly covered with sunscreen lotion.

Manufacturers of sunscreen products also sell gels, oils, and lotions that promote darker suntans sometimes referred to as tan accelerators. The oil, gel, or lotion is rubbed into the skin while sunbathing and the product’s active ingredients stimulate the pigment cells to produce more melanin when exposed to the sun which results in the speedy development of a tan with less ultraviolet light exposure. Less exposure time does not mean that accelerators are safer and many accelerator products contain lower amounts of SPF ratings than standard sunscreens.

A popular alternative to lying in the sun or tanning in a bed is using self-tanners. Self-tanners are available in many forms including lotions, creams, oils, gels, sprays, and foam. The ingredients in self-tanning products chemically react with the top layer of skin and produce the appearance of a natural tan. New innovations in self-tanning products have made the application process less messy and easier to do. There are products that can be blended more smoothly onto the skin, reducing the appearance of streaks or uneven skin coloring. Staining is a downside to using self-tanners; however, specialized applicators and gloves are available to keep hands from becoming stained during the application process. There are also professional salons that offer spray-on tanning services, where color is evenly airbrushed onto the skin.

So the next time you feel like going to the beach be sure to take all the safety precautions necessary. And I assure you that you will have a ball of a time.

About the Author

Debrah Dragon is a writer for Beauty Items, a website about everything beauty-related - beauty tips, beauty salons, beauty products, etc. Debrah is also a featured author at www.ArticleKing.com

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