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Dear Betsy, I LIKE to sunbathe and get a tan. I know it is not the best thing to do but I try to be careful.
I just feel that I look better with a bit of colour. Is it true that eating certain foods can stop you getting burned by the sun? If it is true then can you tell me which foods they are?
Pauline.
Dear Pauline,
Most pale-skinned individuals will tell you they look and feel better with a tan and I understand how you feel as I also prefer to be a bit bronzed rather than a whiter shade of pale.
Truthfully, the only really safe tan is a fake one and even then it depends on what ingredients are in the product you use.
Nowadays, most fake tans are perfectly safe compared to several years ago. They also don't appear to have that horrid telltale chemical smell or orange tinge. Sprays, gels, creams and lotions are all the rage now. In fact, you don't even have to apply the tan yourself as most salons will offer this service.
If you decide to do it yourself, then make sure you exfoliate your skin to remove dead skin and rougher patches, the day before.
You should also moisturise your body well after the scrub and then shower the next morning before applying the fake tan product. Avoid or apply very lightly to the knees, elbows and hands and feet where skin is thicker and rougher.
A bit of real sunshine can be good for us as we need our fix of Vitamin D. The safest way to tan with the sun is to avoid the hottest time of the day which is generally 11am to 3pm. Use a good quality high sun protection factor product (SPF) that suits your skin type. If you have fair skin that burns easily then use the higher SPF such as 15 to 20 on the body and 25 to 30 on the face.
It is important to limit your exposure time to ensure you do not burn as scientists believe that sun burn increases your risk of developing skin cancer.
Skin cancer can kill you and it can also be successfully treated depending on the type and how soon you spot it.
Don't take chances and visit your doctor is you notice any new moles or skin changes and if any old moles change shape.
Now, as for food that help you tan, some people believe that foods containing betacarotene and lycopene can help trigger the activity of the melanocytes which are the cells that produce the melanin or pigment that tans your skin to protect it. If this is true then eating foods such as apricots, mangoes, carrrots, tomatoes and watermelon may be the answer. Maintaining a natural tan means moisturising daily and exfoliating twice a week.
For fake tans, it is important not to just keep reapplying the tan more that a couple of times without first exfoliating and moisturising your skin and leaving it for 24 hours. You can then reapply your self tan product. Following this routine ensures a more natural, even looking tan.
