When making a trip to the beach, you usually go equipped with several things. A towel, a hat and sunglasses, a big bottle of sun block, comfortable clothes and slippers, lots of water and, if you’re planning to spend most of the day there, maybe a chair and a large umbrella. But sometimes, even with all these preparations, the day ends with your skin either too dark or too red to look attractive. This is only natural; there is no way to control or accurately predict the strength of the sun rays, and thus no way to measure how long you need to stay in it to get that perfect shade of bronze that you crave.

There are a few ways to get the shade of your choice but of all those, only two are worth mentioning. The first is temporary, cheap and easy to apply. Tanning lotions can be found at any drugstore or supermarket with instructions as to how to get the best effects. All you have to do is rub the lotion evenly over your skin and sit long enough to let it dry, which usually isn’t more than ten minutes. If you require a darker shade, simply add another layer on top of the first one, and so on. If you’re in a rush for your tan, this is the way to go.

The other method is not cheap and not very fast, but doesn’t come off in the shower either. Using a tanning bed regularly will ensure that your tan stays, and the color is entirely controllable. All you have to do is adjust the lamps to the strength that you want. If you don’t know exactly how high they should be, simply ask around in a nearby fitness center or spa or check the accompanying manual. Spreading a little oil on your skin before diving under the lamps can make the process a little faster. However, lying under them for hours on end is not healthy and will do more harm than good in the long run.

Of course, both of these methods don’t give you the joy and relaxation you can get from the beach, even if your skin gets a little burned as a sacrifice. Science, no matter how convenient, cannot compete against the beauty of nature. It is unfortunate that most people do not have the time to enjoy much of it and reap the benefits.

When making a trip to the beach, you usually go equipped with several things. A towel, a hat and sunglasses, a big bottle of sun block, comfortable clothes and slippers, lots of water and, if you’re planning to spend most of the day there, maybe a chair and a large umbrella. But sometimes, even with all these preparations, the day ends with your skin either too dark or too red to look attractive. This is only natural; there is no way to control or accurately predict the strength of the sun rays, and thus no way to measure how long you need to stay in it to get that perfect shade of bronze that you crave.

There are a few ways to get the shade of your choice but of all those, only two are worth mentioning. The first is temporary, cheap and easy to apply. Tanning lotions can be found at any drugstore or supermarket with instructions as to how to get the best effects. All you have to do is rub the lotion evenly over your skin and sit long enough to let it dry, which usually isn’t more than ten minutes. If you require a darker shade, simply add another layer on top of the first one, and so on. If you’re in a rush for your tan, this is the way to go.

The other method is not cheap and not very fast, but doesn’t come off in the shower either. Using a tanning bed regularly will ensure that your tan stays, and the color is entirely controllable. All you have to do is adjust the lamps to the strength that you want. If you don’t know exactly how high they should be, simply ask around in a nearby fitness center or spa or check the accompanying manual. Spreading a little oil on your skin before diving under the lamps can make the process a little faster. However, lying under them for hours on end is not healthy and will do more harm than good in the long run.

Of course, both of these methods don’t give you the joy and relaxation you can get from the beach, even if your skin gets a little burned as a sacrifice. Science, no matter how convenient, cannot compete against the beauty of nature. It is unfortunate that most people do not have the time to enjoy much of it and reap the benefits.

Trevor Mulholland
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/getting-a-perfect-skin-bronze-103542.html

Various questions arise in your mind regarding tanning when you read the hazards of it in your favorite lifestyle magazine or a website. And the very next moment you see a celebrity’s tanned body photographed in the same magazine or at another website.

Well, despite all these ill claims about tanning or tanned skin, the truth is tanning prevails and is still opted by billions of people around the world with safety measures. Tanning besides all sense is very essential to your body for it helps in some metabolic activities. The borderline is to follow some defined tanning Do’s and Dont’s.

1. Do use your instinctive common sense while you go for tanning—be it natural or artificial. Here is a list of Tanning do’s and don’t for that healthy and rich luster on your skin.

2. Don’t tan without knowing your skin type. Do consult a dermatologist to know the type of your skin. And then tan accordingly.

3. Don’t tan without moisturizing your skin. Your skin will get dry which will further make it prone to various disorders. Do use quality moisturizers to get the safe tanning.

4. Don’t tan naked. Its harmful for genital organs and breasts. Hence, do cover the susceptible parts of your body preferably with cotton cloths.

5. Don’t tan with naked eyes. UV radiations cause harm to the retina of your eyes. Do wear sunglasses for sun tanning and goggles meant for tanning beds instead.

6. Don’t use perfumes, deodorants or ant make up before tanning. They increase the possibility of sun burns. Instead go for tanning lotions.

7. For facial tanning don’t use oils, but do use lotions or creams meant for tanning.

8. Don’t tan for more than 20 minutes either under the sun or inside a tanner. Do keep track of the time you are exposed to UV rays. Less exposure to UV rays fulfills the requirement of the radiations needed by the body and has no side effects.

9. Don’t tan at very short intervals. However do give a minimum gap of two days between two sessions.

10. Don’t tan if you experience some kind of uneasiness like burning sensation or itching or red rashes on your skin. Do consult a doctor immediately.

11. Don’t take tanning pills. They are not approved by FDA. Do use morning sun before 10 to get natural and safe tanning.

Following these precautions, you are sure to get safe tan that will last for long. Yes, getting safe tan is that easy!

Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/safe-tanning-know-the-dos-and-donts-71333.html

Having a tan on the sea shore is a sheer fun. Many people are simply crazy about getting a suntan while staying along side the beach for couple of weeks.

Well, beach tanning is most preferred practice for attaining natural tan color. This type of tanning not only provides you with desired tan color but also offers you much needed rejuvenation. Your daily tight schedule often keeps you under stress. If you are on a beach tanning excursion, the rich tan color with the natural ambiance would help you shed your stress.

In fact a good number of tanning salons and spas are being run along side the beaches to help in your quest of gaining natural tan through direct sun exposure. But ladies! You must take necessary protection before lying naked along side beaches for sun tan. You are needed to protect your genitals and breasts from direct ultraviolet exposure. Sun tan lotion must be massaged on the body for keeping the body moist during a sun tanning session.

Perfect time for beach tanning is late morning hours. Before 10 AM, you can undergo a naked tanning session. Otherwise you need a canopy to undergo safe sun tanning. To safe guard your eyes against the sun, you must always put on sun glasses in the sun.

A tanning session must not exceed an hour. Over exposure often result in skin complications. Some tanning maniacs have ended up developing skin cancer due to overexposure. So beware of all possible harmful effects that you may face as an outcome of unsafe tanning.

A beach tanning session also requires you to keep providing your body with enough of liquids to save yourself from dehydration. Skin dehydration should be specifically taken care of. For that, you may use certain lotions that keep your skin hydrated. Lotions that come with SPF formula are much preferred.

All products that you are likely to use during beach tanning sessions must be of high standard. A dermatologist’s approval is desirable for the lotion and creams that you are using during the period. A couple of week’s stay at beach would be enough for attaining a tan that may last for long period.