In the summer it is hard to deny oneself the sunbathing. The sun pleasantly skims the skin while we chill on the beach or take a walk up the mountains. However, the enjoyment stops when the skin starts to become red and itchy. Where does the discomfort come from? Can you do something about it?
Tan, i.e. a field after the battle
Let’s start by explaining what sunbathing actually is. If we to ask a group of women about the definition probably none of them would be able to give the correct one. Why? The reason is very simple.
Hardly anyone knows that tanning is in fact the defensive reaction of our organism. We try to defend ourselves against harmful UV rays by producing more melanin (our natural protective shield). Brown skin is in fact just a side effect of this pigment being accumulated in higher amounts. It is like a battlefield after the fight for our skin’s health!
Is tanning harmful to us?
Yes. There’s no doubt about it. You need to remember that the sun equals harmful UV radiation and so purposeful, often and long-lasting exposure to it can be harmful.
Excessive exposure to the sun:
- dehydrates the skin and damages its cells,
- speeds up aging processes of the skin (photoaging),
- causes redness and irritation,
- can cause sunburns.
Why do the skin itch after sunbathing?
Itching, prickling, and discomfort that we all know too well after the day in the sun is an effect of sunburn. Skin itches because UV rays dry it, damage it and caused irritation. The skin is giving you signals that it needs hydration and regeneration.
Obviously, itching is not the only effect of too long sunbathing or just exposure to the sun without the right protection. Right after it, the skin starts to prickle (it can occur even a few hours after you seek shelter from the sun), the susceptibility to scars and skin diseases increases. At this stage also the skin peeling starts as the skin tries to regenerate.
Tanning. Do it or not?
It is hard to cut out the sun entirely from our lives, no one will give up on normal life to just spend the rest of it locked up in a dark room. Especially when considering the sunbathing advantages, after all, the sun activates vitamin D production and protects against high pressure because it widens the blood vessels.
That is why moderation is the key. If you limit sunbathes to a minimum and protect your skin with UV filter all should be alright.
How to protect the skin while sunbathing?
The basic tool in the fight for healthy skin free from irritation is the UV filter protection, it can be in the form of cream, emulsion, oil, or milk. What matters is the right SPF that determines how well protected we are against the UV rays.
Good-quality product with a UV filter should not contain too many artificial ingredients but should be based on natural substances known to protect the skin. Perfect for the task are natural oils, e.g. raspberry seed oil (SPF 30-40), carrot seed oil (SPF 20-30) or sweet almond oil (SPF 5-10).
However, a lot points out to UV filter cream not ensuring the 100% protection. For this reason, you need to use the sun rays wisely and enjoy tanning with moderation (especially in the hours when it’s the highest).
The skincare post sunbathing
Obviously, the discomfort after too long sun exposure – such as itching and prickling – can be limited. Sometimes it is just not possible to protect oneself against the sun entirely so you should know some ways to soothe the skin and nourish it after tanning.
- NATURAL OIL – lightweight oil can calm irritated skin (argan, sweet almond, wheat germ, jojoba, macadamia, marula and many other), you just need to gently rub it in the skin.
- AFTER SUN BALM – a great method is to also provide the skin with proper hydration with body balm that can nourish skin and restore its elasticity.
- YOGURT MASK – the best at-home method for prickly skin after the sun is a yogurt-based mask with honey and oil that can calm irritation and moisturize.
