With spring break rapidly approaching and the UV nearing double digits, all of San Diego is rushing to the beach to get the best tan. Spending lots of time in the sun can have many benefits, from a beautiful tan to an increased production of Vitamin D. However, it is important to stay safe and ensure proper sun protection so your tan doesn’t become a burn.

What’s So Great About Being Tan?

For centuries, the standard in America was to be as pale as possible, with pale skin being a sign of high status. The history of tanning dates back to the 1920s, when Coco Chanel returned from a vacation to the French Riviera, her skin a shade darker than when she left. From that point on, tans became a symbol of wealth and status, as they represented the ability to vacation in tropical, sunny places.

Nowadays, tans continue to be a goal for countless people around the world. Tan lines from swimsuits are a trophy to display and hours are spent lying in the sun. From spray tans and tanning beds to oils and lotions, countless inventions have emerged over the past century to maximize a person’s tan. “I like tanning because it’s relaxing and feels productive at the same time,” CCHS senior Lauren Muehl shares. “I get to enjoy the sun and the beach while getting a nice tan. Fake tanning products always turn out orange and smell bad, so natural sun tanning is much better.”

What Are The Dangers of Tanning?

Though tanning can be both relaxing and have satisfying results, it is important to be aware of the possible consequences that could come from extensive sun exposure. Spending too much time in the sun leads to sun damage, also known as ‘photoaging’, according to Kaiser Permanente. Photoaging occurs when the UV rays from the sun enter and age your skin. Tanning oils, according to Coola, allow for an increased number of UV rays to penetrate the surface of the skin and stimulate the body’s production of melanin — the pigment which colors a person’s skin, hair, and eyes.

There are two types of UV lights that the sun emits: UVA and UVB. UVA light reaches and damages all layers of skin, from the surface to the deepest layer. On the contrary, UVB light rays damage only the outer layer of skin and DNA; these are the rays that can more likely cause cancer. A way to remember is that UVA rays are “aging” while UVB rays are “burning”.

Sun exposure and damage occur in two forms — direct sun exposure, which occurs anytime a person is outside with their skin unprotected, and indirect sun exposure, which occurs when a person is partially protected, such as when UV rays are coming through a window. It is important to note that many doctors recommend avoiding spending extensive amounts of time outdoors, due to the amount of direct sun exposure it will result in.

Though the long-term effects of sun damage cannot be reversed, they can be lessened and are important to look out for as they could be signs of larger health issues. Some long-term signs of sun damage include lessened skin elasticity, discoloration, wrinkles, uneven skin texture, and red blotches. Because extensive sun damage can cause skin cancer it is important to know the difference between sun spots and skin cancer using the ABCDE rule (asymmetry, borders, color, diameter, and evolution). For more information on the ABCDE rule, visit the American Academy of Dermatology.

How Does Sunscreen Work?

To lessen the effects of the sun, dermatologists and doctors all encourage wearing sunscreen daily. According to the Cancer Council, there are two parts to all sunscreens regardless of brand; the active ingredient, which includes the UV absorbers and reflectors, and the emulsion, also known as the substance that carries the active ingredient.

A sunscreen’s protectiveness is measured and represented by the acronym SPF, which stands for ‘Sun Protection Factor’. For example, SPF 30 allows for 3.3% of the UV rays to penetrate the skin while SPF 50 allows for only 2% of rays to reach the skin. A tan is the body’s way of protecting the skin from UV rays; however, it is only as protective as SPF 2.

It is recommended to use sunscreen of at least SPF 30 whenever the UV is greater than 3. Specifically, it is best to use sunscreens with the label ‘broad-spectrum’, as such sunscreens protect from both UVA and UVB rays.

How To Ultimately Get the Best (and Safest) Tan?

Now, knowing all this information about the possible dangers of tanning, you may be asking how you can still get a great tan without over-exposing your skin to potential damage. First and foremost, it is important to still wear a layer of sunscreen even when you are tanning. Though it may seem counterintuitive, it is still very much possible to get a great tan while wearing sunscreen and protecting your skin.

Additionally, it is important not to spend extensive hours in the sun, or at the very least to continuously apply sunscreen throughout the day, as sunscreen often wears off after about two to four hours.

Overall, I would recommend looking for tanning products that contain sunscreen. That way, every time the oil or lotion is reapplied, you are automatically a little more protected from the sun.

For a tan with maximum protection, opt for the Bali Body Watermelon Tanning Oil or the Kopari Sun Shield Body Glow. If you are looking for a cheaper option, consider Hawaiian Tropic Protective Tanning Oil. Alternatively, follow Lauren Muehl’s tanning formula, combining SPF 30 and Carroten Tanning Gel for a safe and effective tan. No matter the formula or style of tanning, it is most important to prioritize skin health and remember you do not need a tan to be beautiful.