Over the years, the social perception of tanning has undergone a huge transformation. Who among us doesn't remember Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind, always careful to protect her skin from the sun with her lace parasol? At the time, a tanned skin was synonymous with poverty and was not socially acceptable because only those who performed manual and humble outdoor jobs were exposed to the sun, with the obvious result of having their skin darkened. The rich, on the other hand, who could afford not to work and spent more hours indoors, did not come into contact with the sun's rays.

Today, on the contrary, tanning is even sought after even out of season, because it represents the possibility of traveling to exotic countries and therefore a high social status and has also become a symbol of well-being, as we associate the color of our skin with the concept of health.

For tanning to be synonymous with well-being, it must be taken on healthy, hydrated and luminous skin. For this reason it is necessary to expose oneself to the sun's rays with good sense and adequate protection, especially during the first days of exposure.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF SUN EXPOSURE?

The sun generates electromagnetic radiation with a wide spectrum of wavelengths, including, in the ultraviolet category, the now well-known UVA and UVB rays.

Let's clarify the differences between these different types of rays.

UVA rays represent 95% of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches the earth, are constant all year round, pass through clouds and glass and penetrate deep into the dermis, stimulating the maturation of pre-existing melanin and altering its structure due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers. In more severe cases, they can be responsible for cancerous forms such as melanoma and skin carcinoma. Generally, they do not cause erythema or sunburn but long-term damage, causing premature aging and loss of skin elasticity, with consequent development of wrinkles, sun spots and dryness. Exposure to UVA increases with latitude and is maximum in the early morning and afternoon hours: unfortunately, sunscreens offer poor protection against these rays.

UVB rays represent only 5% of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches the Earth but are more energetic than the previous ones and are concentrated especially in the summer months and in the central hours of the day. Unlike UVA rays, they are shielded by glass and by the keratin and melanin of the skin which act as natural filters. UVB, in fact, penetrate only the epidermal layer, activating the synthesis of new melanin (32-72 hours after exposure): they are responsible for erythema and sunburn and, more severely, have a mutagenic effect on DNA, but do not lead to sensitizing reactions or photoallergies.

However, the sun is not only our enemy: it is a source of life and has important positive effects on humans, such as improving mood and synthesizing vitamin D.

Vitamin D is very important for humans as it protects against various diseases, such as juvenile diabetes, multiple sclerosis and arthritis.

Therefore, a healthy balance between skin and sun exposure should be found, following a gradual exposure, avoiding excesses and trying to understand personal resistance times: our body is a perfect machine that warns us about our limits, if only we learn to listen to it!

So let's see together how to get the most out of the sun's benefits thanks to five simple rules that will help us achieve a healthy and enviable tan:

RULE N° 1 – BE PATIENT!

We are the children of the "everything and now" generation and, not to disappoint ourselves, even in this case we would like to get a perfect tan in a few days, forgetting, however, that the primary function of tanning is certainly not to make us look more colored, but to protect skin cells. It is therefore necessary to be patient and respect the time needed for the skin to develop its physiological protections.

RULE N° 2 – DO NOT OVERDO IT

How many times have we been told not to expose ourselves to the sun during the hottest hours, between 11 and 15? This is because precisely in this time slot the sun's rays are more charged with radiation and easily overcome the skin's defenses.

What not everyone knows, however, is that photodamage is more intense the earlier it begins in childhood, following long, inadequately protected exposures. It is therefore better not to spend too much time in the sun at a young age and pay close attention to burns, serious lesions that the skin retains in its memory over the years, which make the skin more sensitive and increase the risk of developing more serious pathologies, even over time.

RULE N° 3 – PREPARE THE SKIN

When summer is about to knock on the door, various food supplements to prepare the skin for sun exposure appear on the market. These supplements generally consist of mixes of plant extracts and vitamins with antioxidant action capable of both raising the skin's immune defenses (so that you can stay longer under the sun's rays without developing redness or erythema), and improving pigmentation, making it more homogeneous and long-lasting.

An excellent alternative is to consume lots of fruit and vegetables, especially red-orange, because they are rich in beta-carotene and lycopene, two antioxidant substances often present in supplements.

RULE N° 4 – PROTECT THE SKIN DURING EXPOSURE

Properly protecting the skin, especially during the first exposures, is essential, but store shelves are now full of sunscreens. So how do you choose the right product?

First of all, you should choose the level of protection according to your phototype: those with very light skin should opt for high protection, while those with olive or dark skin can use a cream with lower protection. A good rule is, however, to start with a higher protection in the first days of exposure, gradually decreasing, even for darker skin types. Avoiding initial sunburn not only does not damage the skin but also allows you to obtain a longer-lasting tan.

It is also good to remember to reapply the cream after bathing, unless water-resistant products are used.

An excellent sun product should guarantee protection over a wide spectrum of wavelengths and, therefore, cover the entire UVA and UVB range, ensure an excellent toxicological profile, with the lowest possible skin penetration but, above all, have stable filters that do not change under the action of the sun's rays.

Sun filters lose their effectiveness one year after opening, so it would be appropriate to buy a new cream every year, to ensure our skin the right and effective protection.

RULE N° 5 – DON'T FORGET TO PAMPER YOUR SKIN AFTER EXPOSURE

After sun exposure, our skin has a great need for hydration, necessary to restore the epidermal water level. This is why it is essential to use a very nourishing cream based on oils and butters that, in addition to being moisturizing, also provide a good supply of antioxidants, useful for our sun-stressed skin.

Bearing in mind that well-hydrated skin maintains the beautiful acquired color for longer, let's try not to neglect this last step!

We at alkemy also take care of the skin of the face and body, before and after sun exposure.

DISCOVER THE ALKEMY PROGRAM FOR HEALTHIER AND TANNER SKIN

STEP 1 – CLEANSING

Cleansing is a very important step not only in the evening to remove makeup residues but also in the morning to prepare the skin for subsequent treatments.

STEP 2 – PREPARING FOR EXPOSURE

After cleansing, apply a sufficient amount of alkemy hyaluronic elixir + vit c to perfectly clean skin, according to your skin's needs. In one step you will hydrate and nourish the skin, fight wrinkles and prepare the skin for subsequent sun exposure

STEP 3 – HYDRATING

Our skin also gets thirsty, and that's why, at the end of a day of relaxation and sun, it's good to soothe it and give it the right hydration.