Whether you like to look beautifully bronzed or pale and interesting, a good suntan lotion is important for lots of different reasons.
A suntan lotion can either stop your skin from tanning or simply protect you from the more harmful effect of UV rays, but it’s a vital piece of protection.
Here’s a closer look at just why a good suntan-lotion is such an important measure.
UV rays
There’s two different types of UV rays which filter through the atmosphere and onto the skin: UVA and UVB.
UVA rays are the ones which are responsible for tanning, penetrating deep into the skin and creating a tan. However, these rays also cause premature ageing, wrinkling and skin cancer.
UVB rays cause the skin to redden and are the ones which lead to sunburn. They also have the strongest links to the deadly skin cancer known as malignant melanoma and also other forms of skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma.
A good suntan lotion will help to block and filter both UVA and UVB rays, minimizing the risk.
Tanned yet youthful
You may hanker after a tanned appearance but it’s unlikely you would be happy to suffer from premature aging too.
However, if you leave your skin exposed to the mercy of the sun without any suncream, that’s exactly what could happen.
Using a sun cream which offers a low to medium degree of protection still allows you to gently develop a tan, but without the same degree of harmful effects on the skin. You will therefore be less likely to suffer from leathery, lined skin and a loss of elasticity.
Stay healthy
One of the biggest risks associated with sunbathing is skin cancer, in particular malignant melanoma which can be a killer.
Suntan lotion won’t be able to eradicate the risk entirely but can significantly reduce the possibility of developing skin cancer. This is particularly the case when combined with other preventative measures such as staying out of the sun during the strongest times of the day, and covering up.
Moisturiser is not the same
It’s a good idea to use a moisturizer which has a SPF factor as it will protect your skin from ongoing exposure to UV rays all year round.
However, don’t assume that your moisturizer will provide the same degree of protection as a proper suntan lotion, even if the SPF is the same. A moisturizer will come off far more easily with sweat or moisture, and can also be rubbed off accidentally far whereas suntan lotion is a little more difficult to remove.
Paula Ryan is the creator of Spa tanning tablets. She has a PhD in nutritional sciences and is now studying food supplements further.
She lives in the south of England with her husband, daughter, and 2 cats. In her spare time she most enjoys, being a Mum, learning, cooking, keeping fit, and holidays abroad.
