It's Tanning Time - Be Safe!

Summer will be here sooner than you think. So if you're like most people
and don't want to blind folks on the beach with a pale body, you're more
than likely planning to get a tan.

But before you bronze your bod you'll want to read on before you go about
it the wrong way. Here are some tips to get the tan you want without
damaging your skin for life!

First you need to know that braving the sun without any protection is flat
out stupid. Think of the old wrinkly lady from those Shoebox Greeting Card
commercials. Better yet think about a California raisin. That's what
you'll look like. Plus you'll feel the pain from the sunburns and skin
cancer. Researchers say most complaints of the 56,900 cases of skin cancer
that will be reported this year will come from careless sunbathers.

Don't be a fool and think getting a little burned is a good thing. Some
people think a burn becomes a tan. WRONG! The body naturally defends
itself against ultraviolet radiation (UV) by tanning. Burned skin means
damaged skin, more than likely the outer layer. The skin swells. After it
repairs the tan shows because the melanin in your skin became active
before you got burned - not because you burned. It's a lot of pain for
little gain. Better to tan the gradual way than to sizzle to a burnt
crisp.

Ok, now that I've scared you a bit and you'll never ever again venture
into the sun or tanning booth without protection, it's time to get down to
business on how to get a sun god or goddess glow.

You have to know your skin.
That's not hard to do. Just take a look in the mirror. Fair folks burn
within 15 minutes. Darker complexions take longer. Knowing this will help
you time your tanning sessions accordingly so you don't fry longer than
you need to.

Location, location, location.
Here's maybe one reason why Filipinos and Spanish folks have to-die-for
year-round tans. The closer you are to the equator the more at risk you
are to get burned. You can also bank on a 5 percent increase of
ultraviolet radiation per 1,000 feet. So be cautious if you're vacationing
in the Rockies or in the Caribbean.

Fess up to the drugs, man.
Seriously. Acne medications, contraceptives and other meds can actually
make your skin burn. So more than likely you'll want to slather on
sunscreen with a high SPF when you're medicated. Ask you physician for
advice.

Speaking of SPF.
What in the world does that stand for? It stands for Sun Protection
Factor. Ask a pharmacist just how much SPF you need. But more than likely
you fair ladies, and gents, need a SPF 30 while darker skinned folks can
handle a SPF 4. All sun protection lotions should be applied 20 minutes
before going outside or into a tanning booth.

Great tans start with great moisturizing products.
You'll want to look for something that will protect your skin from UVA and
UVB rays while at the same time give your skin all the moisture it needs
so it doesn't burn. Hemp lotion, for example, infuses the skin with fatty
acids and promotes a smooth and rich color.
Check out www.tanningmart.com or www.lotionsource.com/tophemp.html