Why You Should Wear Sunscreen All Year Round
We know that we always talk about how to get that golden glow and maintain the perfect tan, but here’s something that we also need to talk about in more detail: your skin’s health.
After all, it’s just as important to take care of your skin when you’re trying to get a tan as it is when you’re trying to protect your skin from the sun. And now that we’re about to enjoy Calgary’s few, glorious days of sun each year, we thought it was the perfect time to remind everyone about the importance of sunscreen.
The Importance of Year-Round Sun Protection
You’ve heard it a million times: wear sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy. And while you may be diligent about applying SPF before hitting the beach or pool, you might not think twice about skipping it on an overcast day. But the truth is, you should be wearing sunscreen year-round—rain or shine.
This is because Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can still penetrate clouds. And while UV rays are strongest during the summer months, they can damage your skin year-round. In fact, you may be more susceptible to sun damage in the winter because snow reflects up to 90% of UV radiation.
What’s More Harmful: UVA Rays or UVB Rays?
As mentioned, UV rays can still pass through clouds, so they can still be harmful to you even on cloudy days, and there are two types of UV rays that damage our skin: UVA rays and UVB rays—these can penetrate the atmosphere and reach our skin’s first and second layer.
UVB rays serve as the main cause of skin burns. This can cause harm to the top layer of your skin even within just 15 minutes of sun exposure. Frequent exposure to this can cause skin aging over time.
Meanwhile, UVA rays have the longest wavelength of the three. About 95% of these pass through the atmosphere and penetrate our skin deepest. Yes, these do tan your skin the fastest, but it brings more harm than good.
Why Wear Sunscreen?
We here at Vanity Vault love a good tan as much as the next person, but we also know that there’s nothing attractive about skin damage. So if you’re still not convinced that you should be wearing sunscreen every day, here are a few more reasons:
It Prevents Premature Aging
Nothing ruins a good beach day like realizing you got sunburned. But did you know that getting sunburned can also cause premature aging? In addition to causing your skin to become dry, wrinkled, and leathery, too much sun exposure can also lead to age spots and other forms of pigmentation.
So, sure, baking under the sun might seem like a good idea this summer. But trust us, you’ll thank us later when you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on anti-aging creams and treatments.
It Reduces Your Risk of Skin Cancer
This one should be a no-brainer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is mainly caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. And they don’t just refer to UV rays from the sun too—tanning beds, sunlamps, and other artificial light sources emit UV rays that can also cause skin cancer.
So if you’re looking for a way to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer, wearing sunscreen is a good place to start.
Popular Question: Can You Still Get a Tan if You Wear Sunscreen?
As bronzed-glow enthusiasts, we get this question a lot. And the answer is yes—you can still get a tan even if you wear sunscreen.
But remember, the whole point of sunscreen is to protect your skin from UV rays. So if you’re using sunscreen properly (i.e., applying it generously and reapplying it every two hours), it’s going to create a barrier between your skin and the sun.
So should you just ditch the sunscreen and hope for the best? Of course not. If you really want to get a tan, there are plenty of options that will give you the glow you’re looking for without putting your health at risk.
Here are two of the safest and most effective ways to get a tan:
Self-Tanning Lotion or Mousse
This is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to get a natural-looking tan. And unlike sunbathing or using a tanning bed, self-tanning products don’t expose your skin to harmful UV rays.
All you have to do is apply the lotion or mousse evenly to your skin and wait for it to develop.
Want to nourish your skin while you’re at it? We recommend using the SunnaTan Colour Me Dark lotion that’s safe on the skin as it gradually gives you a bronzed glow.
Airbrush Tanning
This is a great option if you want an immediate tan. Airbrush tanning uses a machine to spray a fine mist of solution onto your skin. The solution contains DHA, which reacts with the outermost layer of your skin to give you a natural-looking tan.
The best part is that you can customize your airbrush tan to suit your needs. So whether you want a light, medium, or dark tan, you can always achieve the perfect shade.
Enjoy The Best of Both Worlds: A Safe Tan and Healthy Skin
Now that you know how to get a tan without damaging your skin, there’s no excuse not to enjoy the best of both worlds. With a little bit of effort, you can have a healthy, bronze glow all year round. So go ahead and slather on that sunscreen! Your skin will thank you for it.
And when you feel like you need a bronze pick-me-up, book an appointment with us at Vanity Vault. We offer the best airbrush tanning in town, and our skilled technicians will make sure you walk out looking like a golden goddess. You can also choose to take home a bottle (or two) of our sunless tanning lotion, mousse, or spray to use anytime you want. Check out our online store to see what we have in stock.