How to make your tan last longer

The glaring summer sun in Lebanon sometimes makes it harder to get your tan just right – you can either come away looking like a lobster or like you may as well have sat indoors all day because you slathered on SPF 50 and took cover under an umbrella. But the good news is that the country’s sunrays mean you don’t have to resort to fake tanning lotions or indoor sunbeds. It is, of course, your choice if you want to enhance your tan with bronzers or a tanning bed session, although the latter is not recommended for health reasons (using a sunbed may increase your chances of developing skin damage and/or cancer). But since the trend this summer is all about a subtle, sun-kissed look – rather than a too-dark, orangey tan – going to the beach once a week should be enough to maintain that holiday glow, and The Daily Star has a few tips to help you stay browner for longer. Different skin types and colors mean that everyone tans at varying paces – while one person might need a couple of hours in the sun to get that enviable bronze color, others may need a few days to reach that stage. Even if it takes a while for your skin to get brown, sunscreen is vital. It’s common knowledge that sunburned skin leads to skin damage (including wrinkles), but even if your skin doesn’t look burned, UVB rays will still take their toll. While sunburned skin may appear to eventually develop into a tan, it will fade quickly. Your skin bronzes when the sun activates a pigment in the epidermal layer, and the cells in your skin’s upper layer renew every six to 10 days. If skin is damaged, it tends to regenerate itself faster. This is not to mention that lobster skin does not look particularly attractive and is rather painful. Step 1: Exfoliate Before you head to the beach, it is important to exfoliate. Dry and flaky skin does not make a good base for a tan as it sheds quickly. In the shower, use exfoliating gloves or a loofah with a body scrub, and massage from the ankles upward in circular motion for best results. Step 2: Moisturize Moisturizer should be your new best friend, so pick one that suits you depending on your skin type. For dry skin body butters are best; otherwise, ordinary lotion suffices. To lock in extra moisture, apply baby oil on damp skin after a shower. Don’t rinse it off; rather pat it dry with a towel. Tip: Fruits and vegetables that contain beta-carotene enhance skin tone, scientists say. The best source of the red-orange pigment is found in carrots – so ditch the biscuits and chop up some carrots for your between-meal snack. This explains why many tanning oils and lotions contain carrot oil. Step 3: Protect your skin Once you are sunbathing, apply sunblock more than once. Depending on how many times you have been to the beach already and how easily you burn, use SPF 15-20+ at least. Contrary to what many believe, sunblock does not prevent you from getting a tan, it just prevents skin damage. Don’t forget to put sunblock on your feet, hands and lips – lip balms with SPF prevent dry and cracked lips. Tip: To prevent hair damage from the sun and chlorine in the pool, massage some leave-in conditioner into your locks for protection. Step 4: Hydrate Keep a large bottle of cold water beside you and keep drinking throughout the day. This is important to combat dehydration, but water also hydrates your skin – scientists believe water extends cells’ life. The sun is at its strongest between noon and 2 p.m., so limit your exposure during these hours and wear a hat. Step 5: Accelerate Once your skin has fully absorbed your sunscreen, you can apply whichever tanning oil works for you. There are dozens of brands out there for every budget, but even if your accelerator has SPF, don’t ignore your sunblock. Any SPF less than 10 offers very little protection. Tip: While many can be seen using baby oil at beaches, others mix up potions themselves to build up a tan – one such concoction is mixing Lancaster, Nivea cream and Johnson’s Baby Oil. Step 6: After-sun hydration It is equally important to follow up on your tan after a day at the beach. While your tan tends to develop after you’ve showered, using an after-sun lotion will seal the deal. Following that, apply your usual moisturizer every day, morning and evening, to keep your skin soft and your tan lasting longer. Tip: Once you’ve built up a tan, you can enhance it with a fake tanning lotion but make sure to rub it in evenly. The latest tanners work by enhancing your natural color instead of masking it. Remember to choose your makeup carefully once you are tanned. Ditch the foundation and use tinted moisturizers instead, and enhance a touch of pink blush with bronzing powder. Step up your summer beauty routine – but don’t go overboard – with these simple tips, and you will maintain your bronze glow into the beginning of autumn.