Coco Chanel. That's who we can blame/thank for making tan skin be seen as beautiful and in style. In the 1920's this iconic fashion designer accidentally got some sun while vacationing with friends on a yacht. When she came back to Paris the public took notice of her darkened skin and, well..the rest is history. Up until then tan skin was perceived a working class trademark since it was associated with outdoor work. Coco changed all that and suddenly the bronzed look became fashionable, luxurious and healthy.
Unfortunately being a sun worshipper is anything but healthy. With the risks of deadly skin cancers, premature wrinkles and leathery skin its a wonder that we all don't just stay indoors all the time. But we do quite the opposite. We slather ourselves in tanning oil, buy memberships to tanning salons (more on that later) and spend hours baking ourselves to a crisp on the beach or by the pool. We nonchalantly shrug our shoulders whenever we hear/read about the dangers of too much sun exposure. I've even heard some tan-aholics say that they don't care if they die because at least they will die tan and beautiful. How sad. Nothing is worth the risk of your life and health no matter how beautiful it makes you look.
So what about tanning beds? They aren't as bad because they mainly use UVA instead of UVB rays right?? WRONG! Both UVA and UVB rays have been linked to causing skin cancer. Also UVA rays will prematurely age you like you wouldn't beleive! "Well I only tan for a few minutes at a time." Did you know that 30 minutes in a tanning bed is equal to 7 hours in the sun?! And did you further know that women under 30 who tan regularly are 75% more likely to get melanoma? That's the deadliest type of skin cancer and it can spread to other parts of your body and be very difficult to treat.
Even now that you know the risks I realize that you aren't going to stay inside or carry umbrellas everywhere you go to protect yourself. You still want dark, golden, glowy skin. Yeah, I do too. That's why I self-tan. There are so many self-tanners out these days that can give you all the beauty with none of the health risks. Yes, there are some low quality tanners that will go on streaky or turn you into an Oompa Loompa. But there are several out there too that will give you a natural, dark color. My personal fave is Banana Boat Summer Color self-tanning lotion.
It goes on dark so you can see exactly where you are applying it, the color develops within just a few hours, it naturally fades away without leaving you patchy and its only about $7 at the drugstore.
The main thing I want you to remember is that besides self-tanning, no tan is a safe one. And with all the cosmetics nowadays that have SPF in them, you have no excuse not to remember to put your sunscreen on every single day. When you go to the beach or pool please take just a few extra seconds to spray on or rub in your sunblock. Your future older (and healthy, unwrinkled;) self will thank you for that extra effort!
