Skin Care and Tans

Skin problems are something that many people have to deal with on a regular basis. Usually, the skin problems start happening when a person begins puberty. This is, of course, in reference to acne. As a person gets older, acne can still be an issue, but so can the effects of sun damage.

No matter what a person's skin background, skin care should always be part of a person's daily routine. Even if it means a daily shower and washing the face once a day, it is extremely important to keep the skin clean. Just as important is to keep a person's skin out of the sun.

The way tans have been dealt with throughout history has been varied. In the earliest times, tans were considered to be only something that peasants who were out in the sun should have. Both men and women of the aristocracy thus had their own particular form of skin care. Then men would wear wide-brimmed hats and gloves. The women would also wear hats and gloves whenever the went outside, with parasols as an additional accessory.

While for centuries the whiter the skin, it was assumed the more aristocratic the person, that notion started to change in the early part of the twentieth century. It was then that fashionista and socialite Coco Chanel was photographed on a vacation displaying a prominent tan. The message conveyed that tans were not just for the lower classes anymore, they were also a fashion statement.

Soon after, people started throwing skin care caution to the wind, and the results were lots of bronzed people. The trend has not diminished in any sense of the word. People like to get tans because they make them look leaner, and teenagers especially like to get tans because it is a fast way to dry up and hide acne.

However, as more and more people who have enjoyed years of sunbathing are finding out, tans actually lead to damaged skin, as well as skin cancer. However, there are some people who, although they know the risks, continue their love of tanning.

Some people might think that tanning beds are actually better than being out in direct sunlight. Actually, tanning beds are just as dangerous, because they involve high amounts of ultraviolet light. Many people end up with mottled and wrinkled skin because of prolonged exposure to the sun. These people need to follow specific kinds of skin care.

First of all, it is very important for a person to wear an SPF of 30 or higher each time they know they are going to be out in the sun. Additionally, it is important to make sure that the skin is properly moisturized at all times. The reason for this is because it will slow down any additional aging effects. Also, there are ways to get fake tans, such as spray tans or tans that are available through certain lotions. There are definitely ways that a person can still have a tanned look, yet be safe.

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