We all know that the start of the spring semester in Boone means no sunshine for at least three months. For most of us, the idea of sun kissed skin is far-gone, swept away with the chilly winter winds. The easy solution? Saving your summer tan by frequenting the tanning bed! Simple and safe, right collegiettes? WRONG. Frying your skin for the sake of looking “fresh off an island” is not worth the consequences later in life. Premature wrinkles and skin cancer do not sound fun, so here are a few tips to achieve the perfect glow without the risks.
- Take a chance on the spray tan.
As scary as that sounds, the art of spray tanning has improved over the years and cleaned up its orange-tinted reputation. One of the major benefits of skipping the bed and visiting the booth is the instant change in your skin color. There’s no baking in the sun for hours and waiting for the slightest appearance of color. That glow is yours immediately. Also, there is no risk of skin cancer when the spray tanning formula is made mostly of sugars, essential oils, and water.
- Make friends with your bronzer and self-tanner.
Instead of risking premature aging and exposing yourself to excessive UVA and UVB rays, take a trip to your local drugstore and scan the cosmetic aisle for sunless tanning aids. Gradual self-tanning lotion and bronzer can give your wintery skin a jolt of sunshine for a low price, so you can salvage your tan as well as your wallet. As an extra bonus, most formulas have an SPF of at least 15 so you can sneak a little skin protection into your daily routine.
- Embrace your natural skin tone.
Real is in, ladies, so save time, money, and your God-given skin and go au-natural! Whatever your natural hue may be, the safest way to avoid the temptation of the tanning bed is to take pride in your own skin. Make sure you use products with SPF and skin benefiting elements, as well as take advantage of highlighters that enhance your skin tone. In this case, a little extra effort on your face can go a long way.
With spring break on every collegiette’s mind, it can be tempting to visit the tanning bed… These are great tips that will give you a healthy glow without the added risk.