Everyone loves lounging around the swimming pool, soaking up the sun and enjoying those warm summer breezes. But take care – using a suntan lotion with the wrong SPF (Sun Protection Factor), or worse, not using any suntan lotion at all, can leave you, and especially young children, with a serious sunburn and possible skin damage. So here are some tips to help you get that golden glow this summer without damaging your skin.
Generally, people are choosing suntan lotions with a higher SPF to get maximum protection when they are outdoors from the suns’s harmful UV rays – even those with darker skin and hair are choosing a higher SPF to protect against skin damage. Although suntan lotions with an SPF of 10 are popular with those who want to tan, for maximum skin protection, with more gradual tanning, suntan lotions with an SPF of 15 or higher are recommended. And remember, the ideal sunscreen should offer both UVA and UVB protection!
New to the tanning scene? Then you are in luck. No longer do you have to smear on liquid lotions before you go outdoors. Today, non-greasy, waterproof spray-on lotions provide an even, clear, fast-absorbing mist on your skin without leaving any messy residue. There are even special ‘stick’ suntan lotions that make protecting those often forgotten areas – such the tops of your ears, feet and hands – easier to protect.
Don’t forget to reapply! Depending on your activities, you should generally reapply suntan lotion every one to two hours, and always after swimming.