We don’t have to remind you of the importance of wearing sunscreen.
Wondering if a healthy way of tanning exists?
Keep reading to learn more about how sunscreen works and how to get a bronze glow sans sun damage.
Stocksy
Meet the Experts
How Does Sunscreen Work?
The active ingredients of sunscreen, listed separately on SPF labels, work in one of two ways.
Ciraldo explains: “Chemical sunscreenactives (also confusingly called ‘organic’ actives) work by absorbing.
Mineral actives (zincand titanium) work mostly by reflecting ultraviolet rays before they penetrate into skin cells.”
Many sunscreens contain physical components likezinc oxideand titanium dioxide, which reflect UV radiation off the skin.
There are a couple of factors that inhibit sunscreen from working.
So… we end up with a lower amount of sun protection than stated on the label."
Green adds that using expired or improperly stored sunscreen might prevent its efficacy.
“In addition, sunscreen needs to be stored in a cool, dry place.
When sunscreen is stored at high temperatures, the sunscreen becomes less stable and eventually starts degrading.”
Does Sunscreen Prevent Skin From Tanning?
Yes, according to our experts, sunscreen does prevent you from tanningand that’s a good thing.
“The answer is almost always yes,” says Ciraldo.
“Sunscreen prevents tanning.
Green explains that tanning is triggered by exposure to UV radiation by either the sun or bytanning beds.
“The UV radiation causes genetic damage to the epidermis or outer layer of the skin.”
This is what gives us what we call a tan.
Sunscreens work by blocking UV radiation and preventing skin damage and are thus incompatible with tanning.”
Can Sunscreen Inhibit Vitamin D Intake?
Is It Possible to Tan Safely?
Ciraldo says dermatologists always emphasize that there’s no such thing as tanning safely.
“People cannot tan safely since skin damage is cumulative,” says Green.
Even short amounts of exposure to sunlight without sunscreen can be detrimental to your health, according to Green.
“I do not recommend getting sun without sunscreen,” she says.
Both our experts agree thatself-tannersand tinted sunscreens are the only way to “do” a safe tan.
Consider what key in of formula appeals to you when selecting a self-tanner.
Dermatologists do not advise getting sun without sunscreen and insist there’s no such thing as a healthy tan.
But this doesn’t mean we have to give up the benefits and pleasure of sunlight.
“Using SPF does not block the psychological benefits of the sun.
Dermatologists do not recommend using a tanning bed with or without sunscreen.
So, if you use a tanning bed wearing sunscreen, your skin will still experience sun damage.
Results of a randomized controlled trial.Arch Dermatol.
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The Skin Cancer Foundation.
2021;157(12):1425-1436.
