Although sunbathing can improve mood, increase the production of vitamin D in the body, and make skin tone look healthier and exotic, unfortunately this activity is not recommended by doctors because it can accelerate the skin aging process and increase the risk of cancer. If you still want to sunbathe, don't forget to keep your skin moisturized and improve your diet to maintain its color and keep it healthy.
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Method 1 of 4: Moisturizing Skin
Step 1. Try reducing the frequency of bathing
Do this not to maintain a dark color on the skin, especially since the melanin production stimulated by exposure to UVA rays will not be washed away by water. However, do this because research shows that the benefits of moisturizer to hydrate the skin will be less than optimal if applied after bathing. If you still want to shower, apply some of the tricks below:
- Bathe with cool or warm water, not hot.
- Limit your shower time. Bathing for too long can remove the natural oil content on the skin, you know!
- Do not use soap, or apply soap only to areas that are prone to “bad smell”, such as the groin, armpits, and feet. Remember, soap can strip your skin of its natural oils and make it feel dry.
- Lightly pat the skin with a towel to retain its moisture.
Step 2. Use products that contain hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is a chemical naturally produced by the body to bind water molecules in the skin. That is why, cosmetics containing hyaluronic acid have been shown to improve skin hydration and elasticity. Therefore, you can try applying a cream with these ingredients to the skin before applying moisturizer, right after taking a shower.
Step 3. Apply moisturizer
Moisturizers can help replace the thin lipid layer that protects the skin after fluid loss. Although you can use whatever moisturizer you want, it's best to try using a moisturizer that contains liposomes and vitamin A to keep your skin healthy. Apply moisturizer right after you shower!
Use a noncomedogenic (no risk of clogging pores) moisturizer if your skin is prone to breakouts
Method 2 of 4: Improving Diet
Step 1. Keep skin well hydrated
Because human skin is made up of hundreds of cells, and all cells need water to function properly, dehydration can leave your skin feeling dry, less supple, or even flaky. That is why, one of the main reasons for skin aging is the loss of the skin's ability to retain moisture. That is why, you should consume at least 8 glasses of water per day to keep your skin properly hydrated. However, because sunbathing can dehydrate your skin even more, you should increase your water intake while you're at it.
Step 2. Eat the dark chocolate
Cocoa is useful for hydrating the skin and contains flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that is very useful for protecting the skin from damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet light.
Step 3. Eat fruits rich in polyphenols
Grapes, apples, pears, cherries, and berries are some examples of fruits that are rich in polyphenols. In other words, all these fruits contain antioxidants and anticarcinogens that can help protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation in the sunbed.
Step 4. Drink pomegranate juice or eat fresh pomegranate
Pomegranates contain flavonoids that have been shown to have various health benefits, including functioning as antioxidants to protect the skin and prevent cancer.
Step 5. Try cooking pasta with tomato sauce or buying pizza at a nearby outlet
Tomatoes contain lycopene, a chemical that has been shown to protect the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. Since lycopene is mostly found in tomato paste, it means you can eat tomato sauce or even pizza to increase your intake.
Step 6. Eat sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds are full of vitamin E, a special antioxidant that can protect the skin from damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet light.
Step 7. Brew green tea
Green tea contains polyphenols which are rich in antioxidants and anticarcinogens so that they can protect the skin from damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet light.
Method 3 of 4: Treating Burnt Skin
Step 1. Understand that skin can burn if it is left in the sun too long
Sun beds, like the sun, will also emit UVA radiation. As a result, staying too long in it can burn the skin. The whiter your skin tone, the shorter it will take for the sunbed to burn.
Step 2. Treat the burn as soon as possible
The sooner treatment is carried out, the less risk of damage to your skin. If your skin feels itchy or tingly, or if it looks reddish or pink in color, get it treated right away!
Step 3. Drink as much water as possible
Since burns can absorb moisture from the skin and dehydrate it, you're more likely to feel thirsty after sunbathing. However, if the skin has a post-sunburn, this method is mandatory to speed up skin recovery and keep the body hydrated.
Step 4. Compress the skin with a damp, cool towel, or try a cold shower
Do this process several times a day for 10-15 minutes to remove heat from your body and soothe your skin. After bathing or bathing, lightly pat the skin with a towel to dry it. Let a little water remain on the surface of the skin, and immediately apply a moisturizer after.
Step 5. Use moisturizer regularly
In particular, moisturizers containing aloe vera are beneficial for soothing sunburned skin. In addition, you can also wear products that contain vitamins C and E to minimize the potential for damage to the skin. Don't use moisturizers that contain petroleum, as these can trap heat in your skin! Also avoid the content of benzocaine and lidocaine which are at risk of irritating the skin, and do not apply moisturizer to the blistered skin.
Step 6. Apply hydrocortisone cream to the area that feels uncomfortable
Hydrocortisone creams can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies, and are useful for relieving pain or itching of burned skin. However, make sure the hydrocortisone cream is not applied to the blistered skin, OK!
Step 7. Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs in pharmacies
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) can help relieve pain and swelling that occurs, and prevent further damage to the skin afterward. Remember, aspirin should only be taken by adults and should not be given to children because of the risk of causing sudden acute brain and liver damage.
Step 8. Don't touch the blister or make sure you always cover it with a dry plaster
The appearance of blisters indicates a second degree burn. That's why you shouldn't apply moisturizer to the surface of the blister or even squeeze it to prevent the condition from worsening. In other words, allow the blister to heal on its own, or try covering it with a dry bandage to keep it from rubbing against your clothes.
Step 9. Protect yourself before going outside
In other words, protect your skin from further sunburn! Therefore, you should limit activities carried out outdoors. If you absolutely must go outdoors, cover the entire burned skin area with a dense, breathable cloth (if it's spread out in the sun, there shouldn't be a sliver of sunlight getting into it). If the burn is on the face area, always apply a moisturizer that also functions as a sunscreen before going outside.
Method 4 of 4: Treating the Rash
Step 1. Identify the cause of the rash
If your skin feels itchy or develops a rash after using a sunbed, there are several possible reasons:
- Chances are, your skin temperature has increased too extreme as a result of using a sunbed.
- Chances are, you have a polymorphic light eruption that triggers a red rash on your skin after exposure to ultraviolet light.
- Chances are, your skin is allergic to the products used to clean the sunbeds.
- Chances are, your skin is actually sensitive to a darkening lotion you use before sunbathing.
- Chances are, you're taking medications (such as birth control pills, acne medications, or even Advil) that can increase your skin's sensitivity to ultraviolet light.
- Possibly, skin infections occur due to poor hygiene of the drying bed.
Step 2. See a doctor if the rash is warm and painful, or if its appearance is accompanied by a fever
Drying beds that are not cleaned properly will be filled with bacteria or viruses that can trigger infection and must be treated by a doctor.
Step 3. Consult all types of drugs that you are taking to the doctor
Make sure the factors that increase skin sensitivity to light are not the drugs you are taking.
Step 4. Stop sunbathing and observe its effect on the rash on your skin
If the rash persists, see a doctor immediately. If the rash goes away, try visiting the same salon and identifying a more specific cause of the rash.
- Dilute the product used by the salon with water, then apply a small amount to your skin. Observe if the rash reappears after that.
- Then, try to sunbathe without applying the lotion, and observe the results.
- In the end, try to spend less time in the sun to minimize the risk of a rash developing.
Step 5. Change the sunbathing method if the rash doesn't go away
If the rash persists after sunbathing, you most likely have polymorphic light eruptions or even have an allergy to ultraviolet light. To overcome this, immediately consult a doctor and wear sunscreen when you have to do outdoor activities. Stop using sun beds too! Instead, try applying a darkening lotion for a similar effect.
