How can I get the perfect tan?

Dear Betsy,Now that it is sunny again I would like to go to the beach with my friends to get a suntan. My mum says it is dangerous and I would be better to use a sunbed to get a tan and stay out of the sun. Is she correct? I hate it when my skin is pale as I look like a ghost so please tell me the best way to get a suntan.

Ashley

Dear Ashley,

Until the 1920s it was thought vulgar to have a suntan as this was a sign of being from the poor working classes, who had to toil outdoors and thus ended up with a suntan. High society dictated that it was fashionable to be 'pale and interesting" until that is Madam Coco Chanel came along and changed all that. She decreed that it was de rigueur to be beautifully bronzed and ever since, men and women have been worshipping the sun.

The important thing to remember is that a suntan is actually evidence of sun damage, as your skin turns darker to protect itself from penetrating ultra violet radiation.

It can be dangerous to sunbathe without protection or even with the wrong kind of protection. By protection I mean a hat and sunglasses and a good sun block, with at least a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 for your body with stronger protection, (SPF 25+) on sensitive areas such as your face, neck and chest.

If your skin is very pale and sensitive then I would suggest SPF of 25+ all over.

It is best to avoid lying in the sun between noon and 3pm as this is when the sun is at its strongest.

At this time of the year many people resurrect last year's left over sunblock, but that is a bad idea as the protective ingredients deteriorate and won't work.

In fact, some chemical based left over sun products can cause a sensitivity reaction on your skin when you go in the sun.

Buy some new products and look for a product that has natural mineral sun protection in them and has UVA and UVB protection. It is also not enough to apply the product only once as when you perspire, it dilutes the product and, of course, if you swim then you need to reapply it.

To be safe I recommend reapplying a sun product at least every hour, even if you are in the shade, as the sun's rays can still reach you and the same if it is cloudy.

Being in the sea or a pool can cause the water to act like a magnifying glass on your skin so be extra careful around water.

Always shower with soap or gel to remove the sun product and apply a soothing and moisturising aftersun lotion to restore your skin.

If you do suffer from mild sunburn then applying some pure aloe vera gel and lavender essential oil is the quickest way to calm and repair your skin.

Sunbeds are, in my opinion, more dangerous than natural sun. They have been proven to cause skin cancer and many government authorities in the UK have removed them from local health and leisure centres due to this evidence and to avoid potential lawsuits.

Sunbeds generally remove the UVB rays, which are the ones that burn you, using only greatly concentrated UVA rays, which technically, don't burn you.

However, these are the rays that penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and react with your melanocytes that then produce melanin, or the coloured pigment, that results in your bronzed colour. This means these UVA rays have the potential to do damage in the deeper layers of the skin, including causing rogue cells to turn cancerous.

UVA exposure can also cause the breakdown of the skin's collagen and elastin fibres which leads to wrinkles and loose skin and accelerates the ageing process.

Another side effect can be darker pigmentation blotches in certain areas.

Scientists say that sun exposure also reduces the hyaluronic acid in your skin, known as the skin's natural moisturiser, causing dehydration and leading to sensitive, reactive skin and in some people an acne breakout can occur too.

Some people think if they get a tan from a sunbed it will give them some sun protection, but that is not the case and even if it wer,e it is like playing Russian roulette with your health.

Sounds pretty grim doesn't it?

The safest tan is one from a bottle. I would recommend trying some fake tan products. These used to be a bit of a nightmare and you could end up being 'tangoed"... turning a stomach churning shade of orange. Today's products are more sophisticated and produce a more natural colour.

As with most things in life, preparation is everything. You need to first of all make sure your skin is smooth and free from dry patches.

You can do this by using a loofah all over to remove dead skin or a body scrub or exfoliator which will also have the same effect.

If you skin is dry then I would apply a layer of nourishing body lotion and leave to soak in for 20 or 30 minutes.

Self-tanning products now come in cream, gel, lotion and spray applicators and even in pre-soaked individually wrapped towelettes.

Choosing the right one for you is a matter of budget and brand preference although in general, the cream or lotion versions are better for drier skins.

Apply the product in a thin layer and make sure you massage in evenly into the skin, avoiding overloading the product on drier areas such as the heels, knees and elbows.

Allow the product to sink in and dry before putting your clothes on (you can use a hand held hairdryer on a cool setting to speed this up) and when you do it is best to avoid tight clothing. Keep cool for the next hour or so to avoid perspiring and ending up with a streaky skin tone.

One thing you must not do is forget to wash your hands immediately after application of the self tan otherwise you will end up with bright orange palms!

Not an attractive thought.

It seems that the tanning phenomenon has come full circle and it is now considered 'vulgar' to be too tanned.

A sun tan is no longer the chic badge of exclusivity once worn only by the rich and affluent who could afford expensive foreign travel.

Today, permatans are more likely to be associated with the "bucket and spade brigade" cheap package holiday makers, Chavs and Les Battersby's wife!

A subtle glow is always more flattering than a deep bronze, whatever method of tanning you choose.

Be sun safe and tan savvy.

BETSY SAYS RELAX ...

Stress can make you grind your teeth and tighten up your jawline. Chewing on some sugar free gum can release jaw tension, stimulate certain areas of your brain, helping to reduce tension and pressure. It also helps keep your breath sweet and your teeth and gums healthy. Mr Wrigley had no idea what he was REALLY doing!

Dear Betsy,

I am 17 years old and within a few months am going to join college. I need a new look. I am really thin and need to gain weight at the moment. I am 45kg, my blood group is B positive. Please can you suggest a diet for me?

And also my face shape is small and like a strawberry - narrowing near the chin with high cheekbones. I will be going shopping for sunglasses and don't know how to find the best ones that suit my face. It would be really helpful if you can help me just like you help everyone else, by the way, thanks for the exams tips.

Thank you,

Strawberry

Dear Strawberry,

Do you know how many ladies reading your letter would love to be 45kg? Fat ladies want to be thin and thin ladies want to be fatter ... we just can't win!

In his book, Eat Right for Your Blood Type Dr Peter J D D'Adamo informs us that certain foods will make you put on or lose weight easily depending on your blood type. The foods that he claims will make blood type B gain weight include: lentils, peanuts, chicken, corn, buckwheat and sesame seeds.

I suppose you could explore his theory by including these items in your diet. Eating more high quality proteins and dairy products may help you also - but don't forget you still need fruits, vegetables and grains to ensure a balanced diet.

At this stage, I should add that weight training can help you add bulk and strength but you need professional advice on the correct programme and quite honestly my intuition is telling me that you are not really a 'gym girl'!

You can give yourself the appearance of being 'heavier' by choosing the right type of clothing.

This seasons shoes with round, scooped toes and chunky heels can make even the skinniest of ankles and calves look thick and dumpy, as can some shoes with ankle straps. Try on lots of different styles and you will see what I mean.

I think that perhaps you are just feeling a little insecure and nervous about embarking on a new phase of your life, which is perfectly normal.

Once you begin your college life and meet and make new friends your confidence will soar and you won't worry quite so much about your weight.

As for the correct shape of sunglasses, there are so many styles around now that it can be very confusing! If you want to balance the shape of your face then I would suggest a frame with a rounded shape rather than angular and more 'aviator' in style with the lower end of the lenses flowing downwards to create the illusion of fuller cheeks and jawline.

Take an honest friend with you and be prepared to patiently try on lots of frames until you find the right one.

Developing your own sense of style and learning to be comfortable in your own skin are more important than what you weigh. Strawberry, but it takes time and at 17 it can seem agonisingly slow! Be patient, believe in yourself, stand tall and don't ever doubt your strength and beauty.