How to properly prepare your skin for the sun
Photos Johnny Walker
Words Anthony Vincent
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Since the summer will be hot, find out and plan ahead for a nice tan.
Summer is officially here, bringing with it our cravings from aperitifs on the terrace, holidays, but also the risk of sunburn. To avoid that, and get a better tan, you can prepare your skin by following a few simple habits.
The sun joins you for lunch
When the market stalls take on colour, it’s time to stock up on carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein). Carrots, tomatoes, spinach, sweet potatoes, apricots, or even mangoes are full of these nutrients, promoting the synthesis of melanin. The latter is responsible for the pigmentation of the skin.
Vitamins E and A strengthen the cells’ defenses against UV rays. It is found in vegetable oils such as wheat germ, hazelnut and olive – for the first case – and in the liver of calves, poultry, or cod for the second.
It doesn't need to be as gross as you think: cod liver has nothing to do with the filthy cod liver oil your grandparents, or the candidates of reality show, “Le Pensionnat de Chavagnes” savoured every morning. Try it on a slice of toast with a squeeze of lemon, for a nice surprise.
A carrot, tomato, cod liver salad will surely taste better than any dietary supplements for tanning, which are made up of a blend of carotenoids and vitamins A and E. Bon appétit.
Exfoliate for better skin
After spending several months under layers of clothing, your skin is likely to be dry. Covered up in cold seasons, it is difficult to peel: dead cells accumulate, which causes a crocodile skin effect.
Performing a deep scrub once a week, in the evening, with a body scrub or lotion, removes the stratum corneum on the surface. This stimulates cell renewal. Keeping the body hydrated right after will optimise the process.
Exfoliating and hydrating your face and body, with dedicated formulas will help restore your skin to a healthier state. Rid of dead skin, it will be easier to achieve and retain a tan. An investment of 5 more minutes in the bathroom equals a brighter future.
Protect yourself, so as not to get burned
Sun protection is even more important in the summer because the intensity of UV radiation is generally higher. So much so, that about 20 minutes of exposure can be enough to cause sunburn. This is even the case in the city, because the white walls and glass facades of buildings reflect rays of the sun, some of which pass through windows.
Sunscreen does not prevent you from tanning, but rather from burning in the sun. A sun protection factor of 20 is suitable for the darkest skin, 30 for the majority of people, and 50 for the fairest skin. Go out covered and warmly dressed in sunscreen.
Expose the skin in gradual phases
As irresistible as a terrace lunch is, on the first sunny days, it is better to skip your turn because the sun will be more brutal and cause sunburn. Indirect exposure, under a parasol for example, spares the skin, which will still be affected by the reflection of UV rays from the ground.
This gives it time to activate its main defence mechanism: tanning. To protect itself from radiation, skin tissue increases the synthesis of melanin in particular, which is transferred to the surface of the skin to preserve the cells’ DNA. The real tan usually occurs 48 hours after the first exposure. For a proper tan, patience is a virtue.
Accept the realities of nature
Not everyone can tan easily, that’s a fact. The tan is the skin’s response to the stress caused by ultraviolet radiation. This defence mechanism works differently for lighter skin types: some blondes tend to burn in the sun, and certain redheads, such as Félix Antoine or Pierre Mollfulleda tend to blush. It’s better to accept the reality, than grill in the sun.
Gradually exposing skin, with appropriate sun protection, and a diet of fruits and vegetables can therefore best prepare the skin for the sun. The perfect warm-up for a gold medal in tanning.
