Top sunbathing tips for a perfect tan: You must follow a few simple rules if you want to tan in total safety:
- Apply your sun cream at least 30 minutes before actually starting to sunbathe.
- Let your skin get used to the sun gradually. Your first sessions in the sun should not last more than half an hour, then after a few days, you will be able to work up to a couple of hours a day. Increase very gradually the length of the time spent in the sun, whilst taking care to avoid those really hot hours around midday (from about 12.00 am to 3.00 pm.
- Choose the most suitable sun protection factor for your skin type (the paler you are, the higher the protection you need).
- Start off with high protection factor numbers, especially when you are sunbathing for the first time that year.
- Do not forget to apply sun filter to those often forgotten zones like your nose, feet, ears, shoulders and mouth.
- Do not stop using your sun cream just because you are tanned - even if the sun's rays are not provoking any evident signs of burning, they are still causing deep-down damage to your skin which will make it look older than it actually is.
- Repeat application of your sun cream at least every 2 to 3 hours, especially after having been for a swim, having worked up a sweat or having come into contact with the sand which tends to absorb your sun cream, leaving you unprotected.
- Avoid overly long sunbathing sessions. You get a tan under the sun-umbrella too !
- Watch out for perfumes ! Avoid wearing them when you go sunbathing - they contain substances that might react in the sun, leaving unsightly marks on the skin.
- Be careful about the contraceptive pill or other medicines (such as cortisones or antibiotics). These too can provoke dark marks on the skin exposed to the sun.
- Remember - a truly safe suntan requires a lot more time and patience to achieve, but it will have a much more uniform colour and will last longer too !
