With summer at its peak, it’s impossible for me to step out and not get tanned. But what exactly does ‘tanning’ mean? And how can you reduce or prevent it altogether? Simply put, tanning is a direct result of prolonged exposure of your skin to the harmful UV rays from the sun.
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Which leads me to one obvious skincare product to reduce tanning. Yep, you guessed it right- it’s sunscreen! If you are wondering ‘does sunscreen prevent tanning?’, I’ve got the answers you need! Read on and find out why investing in a good sunscreen is your best bet to avoid sun damage and whether it can prevent tanning.
How Does Sunscreen Work?
Sunscreens are formulated with ingredients such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, and octisalate which are UV filters that shield your skin from damage. When applied properly, sunscreens block the majority of UV rays from damaging the skin. However, sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours to be effective in complete sun protection.
Why Is Sunscreen So Important?
Sunscreen is super important for healthy skin. I’ve noticed that I experience accelerated signs of ageing and skin tanning whenever I do not use sunscreen. Sunscreen also prevents skin cancer and shields the skin from sunburn.
Can You Prevent A Tan With Sunscreen?
The next question you might have is, “How does sunscreen prevent tanning?” The science behind tanning is very simple. Tanning is nothing but your skin’s injury response or your body’s way of trying to protect itself from the sun. Simply put, when your skin senses UV damage, it produces extra melanin to protect itself. When your skin is left exposed to sunlight, it absorbs the UV radiation which can lead to wrinkling, discoloration, development of sunspots, or even skin cancer. So, tanning is nothing but the result of your skin’s natural defense mechanism.
When you apply sunscreen to exposed areas of your skin, you provide your skin with an extra layer of protection against the UV rays which decreases the extra melanin production and as a direct result prevents tanning. Sunscreens can’t completely prevent tanning but can help prevent it. If sunscreen is reapplied every 2 hours, chances are you will experience little to no tanning.
How Long Does It Take To Tan The Skin?
It takes as little as ten minutes to catch a slight tan if you’re not wearing sunscreen. It varies for different people and skin types. But with sunscreen applied to your skin, you can increase the time limit and not catch a tan for maybe an hour or two.
Damaging Effects Of Sun Tanning
Tanning can cause premature ageing of the skin. It can make the skin dry, wrinkly, and dull. It can also make skin lose its elasticity. Tanning can also lead to skin cancer.
How Do You Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage?
There are a few easy tips and tricks I like to follow to reduce tanning or avoid getting a suntan altogether. Here they are.
- Limited exposure to the sun: While avoiding the sun rays completely may not be possible, I try to limit going out when the sun rays are at their strongest. This is usually between 11 AM to 3 PM (depending on where I am) so I plan my daily schedule around these times, if possible.
- Use of SPF 30 Or Higher: Higher SPFs can block slightly more UVB rays than lower ones, even though the difference is only marginal. Before I head outside, I make sure I liberally apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 (or higher) and keep reapplying every two hours.
- Additional Precautions: By this, I mean I try staying in the shade, thereby avoiding direct sun rays altogether. Besides that, I also opt for lightweight, long-sleeved t-shirts (sun-protective clothing), wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses with UV protection, and other sun-protective accessories that can offer protection from the sun.
POPxo Recommends Best Sunscreens
From sunscreens for dry skin to sunscreens for acne-prone skin and more, you’ll find dozens of products in the market. But with so many choices, finding the right formula for your skin can seem really daunting. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Below, we have listed some of the best sunscreens for every budget that you can consider buying.
Organic Harvest Sunscreen – SPF 60
This 100% organic sunscreen contains the goodness of plant-derived ingredients, and has a lightweight, non-greasy, quick-absorbing formula that your skin will love!
Avene Very High Protection Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50+
Whether you’re planning to take a dip in the pool, or just wanna enjoy a day by the beach, this sunscreen has got you covered with its high-protection sun care! The formula is water-resistant, non-greasy, and fragrance-free, and is extremely gentle, making it a good sunscreen for sensitive skin!
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Can We Apply Powder After Sunscreen?: Confused about how to layer all your skincare and makeup products? Do you apply powder or foundation over or under the sunscreen? You’ll find all the answers you need right here!
How To Treat Sunburn: Ever wondered what is sunburn and how can it be treated with home remedies? Here’s all you need to know!
What is PA+++ In Sunscreen: You might have seen a number of sunscreens or cosmetic products with the rating on the label that reads ‘PA+++’. What does that mean exactly? Read on to find out.
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