Does Sunscreen Prevent Tanning?
Keep you skin healthy and protected this summer without compromising that glowy tan.
Picture this: you’re at the beach, trying to get in some rays before a quick dive under the waves. As you lay out on a beach towel, you’re hit with the same age-old question. If I apply sunscreen will I miss out on getting my perfectly golden tan? Trust me, we’ve all been there. And there’s nothing like some good-old internal conflict to ruin a relaxing poolside afternoon. The good thing is you don't need to pick between applying sunscreen to keep your skin healthy or tanning in the sun.
But, many have asked: does sunscreen prevents tanning? Dive in with us before diving into the water, knowing that you are protecting your skin while still getting your glow on.
What is UV radiation?
Ultraviolet radiation comes from the light energy emitted by the sun. There are two types: UVA, which is associated with skin aging, and UVB, which causes skin burning. You can't see these rays, but they're always there, even when clouds are covering the sun or on the coldest winter days.
Unprotected exposure to these types of rays can do a lot of harm by damaging the DNA in skin cells and contributing to potential causes of skin cancer. Sunburn has been known to be a strong cause of melanoma; so, it is incredibly to protect your skin from these harmful rays. That's where sunscreen comes in.
What is SPF
A sunscreen's SPF is based on how much exposure to UV rays is needed to produce a burn on protected skin. The acronym stands for Sun Protection Factor, and a higher SPF is better at keeping skin from burning. Even without producing a red and sore burn, UV rays contribute to aging the skin, and SPF protects from those harmful effects, too. That's why you should always apply sunscreen on your face even when the sun doesn't appear to be shining very bright.
Sunscreen generally works by developing a barrier across the skin to reflect and scatter the rays as they hit your skin. Think about it like a forcefield, as UV rays hit it and bounce back off. But, like a forcefield, the barrier weakens over time or when washed off, so it's important to apply multiple times when in the sun and to be aware of how taking a dip in the water will impact your sunscreen.
So, does sunscreen prevent tanning?
The simple answer: No. You should always apply sunscreen whether or not you are looking to get a little tanner, and the results you see won't come from the sunscreen you applied.
The longer answer is a little more complicated. Since SPF helps prevent sunburn, it only indicates protection against UVB rays. Since tanning is a result of the deeper damage associated with aging, UVA rays are what cause the change in skin tone. So, your sunscreen would need to explicitly protect from UVA rays to prevent tanning.
Tanning more so depends on the time spent in the sun and the composition and tone of the skin. You can protect yourself from those harmful rays and apply sunscreen while still getting those good tan lines. Go out and enjoy the sun, just don't forget your sunscreen!
