Does Sunscreen Prevent Tanning?

What Is The Use Of Sunscreen?

Designed to protect against harmful aspects of the sun and especially sunburn, sunscreen does not prevent tanning.

Indeed, any cream, whatever its protection factor, allows a more or less high dose of UVA and UVB. And that’s how you can be tanned while being protected unless you stay in the sun for hours because in this case, no cream can protect you.

How To Choose?

You have to choose your sunscreen depending on your type of skin and the sunshine of the place where you want to spend your holidays. For example, for normal skin (that is, not too white skin) and a destination other than in the tropics, you can choose a cream with index 30.

By renewing the application on a regular basis, you should be protected effectively and get a gradual tan and will have the advantage of lasting longer.

On the other hand, the more sensitive skins or who leave in a region where the sunshine is intense will have any interest to choose an index of 50. Indeed, in this case, the goal is not to allow the tanning but to prevent the risk of sunburn and the skin lesions they can cause.

How To Properly Apply Sunscreen?

Even the most effective sunscreen will not protect you from the sun if it is applied incorrectly. For optimal application, you need to take enough products and use the right gestures.

For the face, apply about half a teaspoon of the product by small touches on the cheeks, forehead, nose, and chin and spread it in circular movements, not to mention the neck, décolleté, and ears.

For the body, prefer a solar spray product and apply a generous layer on all exposed parts. Spread the product until full penetration, not to mention the top of the hands and feet. Do not hesitate to get help for the back area, hard to reach.

You know everything now to get a nice lasting tan without encroaching on your skin health!

How Does Sunscreen Protect the Skin?

Everyone has the same number of pigment-forming skin cells. The tan depends solely on the “diligence” of these melanocytes. The more of the brown dye melanin is present in the skin, the better the skin is protected.

A sunscreen with a UVB / UVA filter absorbs scatters or reflects the UV radiation. This protects the skin, as the dose is lower and the melanocytes have more time to develop skin protection. In addition, the skin does not dry out so quickly, and the tan stays longer.

Myths about Sunscreen

The sun is important for our immune system, for the formation of vitamin D, and not least for our mind. No wonder summer lures people outside. However, there are many errors in the right way to deal with sun and sun protection. Sun protection is important – that has meanwhile gotten around. But not all the wisdom that circulates is true. Here is a list to clear up common mistakes.

After creaming extends the protection time

Not correct! The effect of sunscreen only lasts for a certain amount of time. That is, by repeated creaming – useful especially after bathing – you can renew the protection, but not extend it. It is also wrong to think that with tanned skin, no sun protection is necessary. The tan only provides some protection from the aggressive UV radiation. Even tanned skin is therefore damaged by intense radiation – only the consequences later, for example in the form of premature aging and age spots, are visible.

In the shade, you do not get sunburned

Not correct! The general opinion that you do not have to cream yourself in the shade is also wrong. Up to 85 percent of the radiation intensity is reflected by sand, water, or buildings.

Also, umbrellas or clouds do not completely stop the sun’s rays. Incidentally, this is the reason why sensitive people get a sunburn, even if they stay all day on the beach under an umbrella. Therefore, even those who do not go in the direct sun must be creamed.

The good news: You can also turn brown in the shade – slower, but more gentle and even!

You are safe in the water

That’s not true! The opposite is true – water is even more dangerous because the surface of the water reflects the rays. Thus, the harmful effect of the rays on the body parts that look out of the water intensifies.

Even underwater, you are not safe from the sun – half a meter below the water surface, up to 60 percent of the UVB and even 85 percent of the UVA rays arrive.

In addition, wet skin burns faster than dry. Tip: Since the skin is cooled while swimming, you often notice the sun only when the back is already reddened. Therefore, it is recommended to use a waterproof sunscreen for swimming.

Waterproof products hold better and better protect the skin from chlorine or seawater – but here too, the sunscreen must be regularly renewed by repeated creaming. In the case of children, it may even be necessary to resort to special swimwear with UV protection for splashing in the water.

Clothing protects against the sun

No! Certain UV rays also penetrate textiles. In particular, tight and light shirts or a wet fabric let the rays through. Sunscreen products should, therefore, be applied under the bikini or swimsuit half an hour before sunbathing.

Tip: Detergents with sunscreen are available on the market, which – after repeated washing – make the clothing more opaque to the sun. It is also helpful, for protection, to wear loose and rather dark clothing. Special sun protection clothing with a sun protection factor of 20 to 40 is also available on the market, which is filled with sunscreen substances. And do not forget head protection and sunglasses!

Sun blockers provide protection throughout the day

That’s not true! The name is deceptive: A sunblock cannot block the sun endlessly but is characterized by a very high sun protection factor (30 and more). The danger here: Many people feel so safe and forget to renew the sunscreen at regular intervals and above all apply it evenly.

Sunburn is not really dangerous

Incorrect! The factors responsible for sunburn are the high-energy UV-B rays. The long-wave UV-A rays, on the other hand, are responsible for the tanning of the skin, but also for skin aging and the increased skin cancer risk.

Even without sunburn, therefore, UV radiation can cause damage to the skin. The longer one exposes to the radiation, the higher the risk of suffering lasting damage. Too much sun and heat can also lead to sunstroke, which manifests itself through circulatory problems and nausea.

Sunscreen with high SPF prevents tan

That’s not true! Many people believe that a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) prevents browning – and instead use products with too low factors. A high sun protection factor protects against sunburn and helps to keep the tan longer.

Sun allergies come from greasy creams

True, but only partially! Sun allergies have very different causes: Medicines, fragrances, chlorine, or saltwater, but also a hereditary predisposition can lead to allergic reactions to the UV-A rays in sunlight in sensitive people.

Oil-based sunscreens can trigger a sun allergy and lead to the so-called Mallorca acne (or acne aestivalis professionally). Sun allergies can be caused by a fatty sunscreen, but not necessarily.

Self-tanner protects the skin

No! The tan from the tube offers no protection from the sun’s rays because the self-tanner has only a cosmetic effect. They combine with components of the human epidermis in the so-called horny layer and color the skin surface brown – the ability of the skin to protect itself from the sun does not change anything.