Tan Safely

Do you want a sun-kissed glow but don't want to increase your likelihood of getting wrinkles or cancer? While there's no such thing as a healthy tan, it is possible to minimize the negative effects of tanning by taking the following steps.

Steps

Understand how tanning works. Melanocyte cells in your skin produce melanin, which is responsible for your skin color. Everybody has the same number of melanocytes, no matter what their natural skin tone--the difference lies in how much melanin we produce. Exposure to UV light stimulates melanin because the UV rays "break" parts of your DNA, and one of the pieces that breaks off (thymidine dinucleotide or pTpT) triggers melanogenesis (the production of melanin) otherwise known as tanning. Once the melanin is produced, it protects your skin from UV rays by absorbing them, converting them into heat, and preventing the creation of free radicals that can damage DNA. (This is why naturally darker skinned people, whose cells produce melanin without UV stimulation, have a lower incidence of skin cancer.) Unfortunately, it's the initial "breaking" of the DNA to stimulate melanin production that can damage your skin permanently and lead to skin cancer.
Use a self-tanner. This is the only way to "tan" safely because it's not really tanning at all, as described in the previous step. Self-tanning products that contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as the active ingredient react with the dead cells in the outer layer of your skin so that they change color. There is no increase in melanin production. A sunless tan will last 3-10 days. A more temporary tan can be achieved with bronzer or tinted moisturizer.
Tan gradually. If you're going to be in the sun, limit your exposure. Instead of spending 3 hours in direct sun in one day, try to break your tanning sessions into smaller pieces, such as one hour or half hour at a time. This reduces the likelihood of sunburn and also gives your body time to equip itself with melanin which not only gives you color, but also protects your skin from the next round of sun exposure.
Wear sunscreen. Moderate your exposure to UV further by wearing sunscreen. The more naturally fair your skin, the higher sun protection factor (SPF) you'll need. Remember that SPF extends the time you can spend in the sun without suffering from additional damage--it does not eliminate sun damage altogether. For example, with SPF 10, you can spend 150 minutes in the sun (2.5 hours) but only get the effects of spending 15 minutes tanning.
- Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before you go in the sun. Reapply 15-30 minutes after you're exposed to the sun. After that, only reapply after any activity that might've removed the sunscreen, such as swimming, toweling, or excessive sweating and rubbing.
- The protection offered by sunscreen is tested by the FDA assuming a person applies 2 mg/cm2 of exposed skin. A person who is 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) and weighs 150 lb (68 kg) with a 32 in (82 cm) waist and a bathing suit covering the groin area should apply 29 g (approximately 1 oz) evenly to the uncovered body area to achieve the advertised protection.
- Conventional sunscreen is not as effective against UVA rays as it is against UVB rays. Both cause skin damage. Look for sunscreen containing micronized titanium oxide, micronized zinc oxide, avobenzone, and ecamsule, all of which provide better protection against UVA.
Take off your sunglasses. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) is produced by the pituitary gland, which is tied to your optic nerve, which is sensitive to sunlight. In other words, seeing sunlight triggers the production of the hormone that triggers the production of melanin. Without it, there's actually a greater likelihood of sunburn (and a lower chance of sun tanning) because melanin is produced to protect your skin from further UV damage. At the same time, it's important to protect your eyes from UV damage. Consider not wearing sunglasses during the beginning of your time in the sun, so that the pituitary gland is stimulated, then put on your sunglasses for the remainder.
Extend your tan. Instead of going back into the sun to replenish a fading tan, try to maintain your existing tan for as long as you can. Since the melanin that gives you color is located in the outer layer of your skin, you'll keep them longer by slowing down the rate at which your skin peels or sheds. Apply moisturizer generously twice a day and do not exfoliate your skin.

Tips

The most damaging hours of the suns effects are between the hours of 11 and 3 so make sure you apply regular sunscreen, or stay out of the sun in these hours.
You are also at increased risk for skin damage at higher altitudes and closer to the equator.
Well hydrated skin is less likely to burn and more likely to tan, so keep that water glass full!
Due to the ozone layer depleting, tanning in the Southern Hemisphere's summer can portray a higher risk. Near January wear sunscreen at all times, and avoid the beaches around noon.
If you are going to tan make sure you see a Dermatologist once a year to examine your skin for signs of skin cancer.

Warnings

Don't take pills or supplements that claim to stimulate melanin production. There's no scientific evidence that they work, and they might have unintended negative consequences.
- There's no research showing that consuming the amino acid tyrosine increases the production of melanin.
- Products containing canthaxanthin (a color additive used in moderate amounts for food, but used in much greater doses in sunless tanning products) can cause undesirable effects such as retinopathy (deposits of crystals in your eyes).
Tanning beds are no safer than real sun exposure and the increased proportion of UVA exposure could be detrimental.[11] Take the same precautions as you would in the sun.
No tanning is safe. It should be understood by all that read this, that this article merely explains how to damage your body a little less. It is sort of like an article explaining that smoking only one pack a day is a safer way to smoke. As long as you understand this, the decision is entirely yours to make.