5 Tips on How to Avoid Sun Tanning & Sun Damage

What is sun damage?

In simple terms, when you’re exposed to the sun’s UV rays a little too much, your skin is vulnerable to their damage. These harmful UV rays can take a toll on the elasticity of your skin and cause photoaging - the premature ageing of your skin. Sun damage may also look like melasma, pigmentation, dark spots, or wrinkles. In the worst cases, it may even lead to serious illnesses such as skin cancer.

What is sun tanning?

Sun tanning is another symptom, and one of the most common results, of sun damage. When you’re around daylight for long, under the UV-A and UV-B rays, your skin forms a dark pigment called melanin as a defence mechanism to protect the tissue. When the amount of melanin increases, the skin gets darker, i.e. tanned. This type of sun damage may take longer to reverse since it affects the deeper layers of your skin.

So, if your skin has developed a high amount of melanin and you wonder how to avoid sun tanning, we are here to help! Dive into our top 5 sun protection tips to prevent and treat sun-damaged skin.

Sun protection tips

1.      Use sunscreen daily

This sun protection tip often seems a little too easy to be real. However, it’s a surefire way of keeping your skin protected from sun damage. The benefits of a broad-spectrum sunscreen protect you from both UV-A and UV-B rays, creating a shield for your skin to prevent sun damage and tanning. Make sure you apply sunscreen at least 15 to 20 minutes before stepping outside. If you’re staying in for the day, using a layer of sunscreen is still advisable and UV rays can penetrate windows. For oily or acne-prone skin, it is best to go for lightweight sunscreen formulas to prevent sun-damaged skin. Serum sunscreens are ideal for such skin types as they work effectively without clogging your pores.

2.      Reapplying sunscreen

This may not sound all the different from the first sun protection tip, however, it is vital if you’re learning how to avoid sun tanning. Sunscreen, like your serums and moisturisers, can’t be used just once a day. This is because several factors, such as sweat, oily skin, and water exposure can melt off your sunscreen, leaving you vulnerable to sun damage again. Our sun protection tip is to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours to prevent sun damage all through the day. Try looking for lightweight, easy-to-use sunscreens that can be sprayed on even over makeup, like sunscreen sprays or mist sunscreens.

3.      Cover up

It’s not the most fun answer, but it works! If you’re learning how to avoid sun tanning, try to wear sunglasses, full-sleeved shirts, and long pants if you’re going to spend long hours in the sun. UV rays cast harmful effects on eyelids, lenses, cornea, and retina. You must wear sunglasses/UV-protected sunglasses to cover your eyes. Full-sleeved shirts and pants, on the other hand, may provide your skin with varying levels of protection. This is why using a layer of sunscreen beneath your clothes is a good practice to avoid sun-damaged skin. When learning how to avoid sun tanning, remember to wear dark and bright-coloured clothes as these absorb more UV rays and restrict those harmful rays from penetrating your skin. While wearing sunglasses to prevent sun damage, you can also use a hat with a brim. This will protect your face from direct sun rays.

4.      Vitamin C skincare routine

Sun protection tips and preventions for sun-damaged skin are all a part of your skincare routine. However, your sunscreens need support too. This is where vitamin C comes in. This powerful antioxidant helps your skin deal with sun damage while preventing conditions like dark spots and pigmentation while adding a glow to your skin. You can layer your skincare with vitamin C serums, a vitamin C face wash, and even UV creams or SPF creams. It’s also beneficial to invest in sunscreens that are already infused with vitamin C if you’re learning how to protect your skin from the sun. Sunscreen serums and sunscreen sprays are two such options. Do not forget to protect your lips and use a lip balm and lipstick that comes with a sun protection factor (SPF).

5.      Be cautious about medications that increase sun-sensitivity

You must be cautious about certain medications which can make you sun-sensitive and more prone to sun damage. These include antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, doxycycline etc.), antifungals (flucytosine, griseofulvin etc.), antihistamines (cetirizine, diphenhydramine, etc.), cholesterol-lowering drugs (simvastatin, atorvastatin etc.). If you are on these types of medications then you must be extra careful while stepping outside in the sun and be more attentive to your day and night time skincare routine.

Pro tip:

While practising skincare for sun-damaged skin, double cleanse your face and keep it moisturised. Drink lots of water and keep your face hydrated with face masks. If you have dry skin, you can use a pomegranate serum sheet mask for optimal hydration. If you have dark circles as a result of sun damage and increased melanin content, you can use an orange eye mask to let your eyes relax and firm under-eye skin.

Now that you know how to avoid sun tanning, you can take good care of your skin. To choose skincare products wisely, browse through the Garnier skincare products and skincare tips unveil brighter, hydrated, and healthy skin.