I'm writing this as a sort of PSA. As some of you may know I live on an island and consequently I have the honor of seeing unfortunate tans. Recently, I was the recipient of one of these and it was such an unpleasant experience that I'm about to list basic things that should never be forgotten. We can call them the commandments of tanning. Learn from my mistakes, please.
1. Don't fall asleep while tanning: you'll lose track of time and odds are you'll only tan 1/2 of your body.
2. There's a line between tanning and insolation: skin shedding defeats the purpose of tanning, you'll be tan tasty one day and three days later back at pale and pasty. Tan for a moderate amount of time. If you're on vacation you probably have several days to achieve your goal, tan for a little while each day!
3. Aloe vera and moisturizing lotion are your best friends. These will leave your skin feeling fresh and moisturized.
4. Avoid tanning without any skin protection. Everyone's skin is different and the process of tanning should involve some type of protection. Avoiding to use them might result in uneven tanning or insulation. Sunscreen and tanning oils with a small SPF are your friends!
5. Layers! Just because you put on sunscreen once doesn't mean you should be exposed to the sun for the whole day. Touch up your sunscreen or tanning oil.
6. Hats and sunglasses are a must. Yes, your head can actually shed skin, it looks like dandruff. I would avoid this at all costs.
Tan safely!
