For many people, hitting the sunbeds is the solution to getting or maintaining a summer tan. Although we now know that exposure to the sun without protection is very bad for your skin, it seems to us that going to the sunbath is also not good for the condition of our skin. So “unhelpful” is actually an understatement.
Why going to sunbeds is so bad for our skin:
1. Most people use the sunbed often and for a long time
Dermatologists suggest that it’s wise not to use a tanning bed more than once a month, while most tanning salons will tell you that you can easily use a tanning bed once every two weeks. Additionally, there are no real controls in tanning salons, which means you can easily use a tanning bed several times a week.
2. Sunbeds also increase the risk of skin cancer
According to Marsha Meier of KWF, you can compare the “sun rays” from a tanning bed to the highest intensity sun in the Netherlands. So the possibility of your skin getting burned under a sunbed is very high because you absorb a lot of UVA and UVB rays in a short period of time. In principle, children under the age of eighteen are not allowed to use a sunbed at all because their skin is not yet fully developed. If you are not careful, you can easily sustain serious damage from using the tanning bed.
3. Do not absorb excess vitamin D from the light of the sunbed
Sunlight enhances the production of vitamin D in our bodies. Vitamin D contributes, among other things, to good resistance. In winter, your body absorbs vitamin D less quickly because the sun shines less brightly. According to dermatologist Jurit Terra from the University Medical Center Groningen, you do not absorb additional vitamin D while using a sunbed. “Sunbathing has its advantages, but that doesn’t mean a tanning bed has the same advantage. Being outside unprotected for fifteen minutes a day is enough to get healthy levels of vitamin D. The sun doesn’t even have to shine from your body,” says Tera. “Yes.”
Places you always forget to apply
4. It makes your skin wrinkled and wrinkled
Using a sunbed dries out your skin. According to research, the moisture in the skin simply evaporates. The quality and elasticity of your skin also decreases when using a sunbed. This makes your skin “look” older.
How do you get a healthy tan?
Obviously, we absolutely do not endorse tanning beds. However, we understand that you want a beautiful, healthy tan for your body, especially in winter and in the lead-up to spring. Here we have some responsible options for you:
1. Eat or drink yourself brown
There are many nutrients that can ensure that you tan from within. Carrots, for example, contain carotenoids. This gives the carrot its orange color and when you get enough of it (read: at least one carrot or two glasses of carrot juice every day) it ensures that your skin slowly but surely gets more color. Vegetables and fruits such as watermelon, red peppers and tomatoes also contain this substance. Please note: This of course only works a little (and certainly not right away).
2. Exercise
Not only does your skin stay healthier if you get enough exercise, it also changes color if you go for a run in the winter. It may not be as fast as being outside in the summer, but your skin also absorbs sunlight in the winter. So, go for a fun bike ride, run or horse ride – of course with sun protection, even in winter.
3. Use body lotion for self-tanning
More subtle than a full spray tan and good for your skin. When you use body lotion, your skin tans very gradually, so you often don’t see results until after a few days. This prevents you from developing unsightly lines or suddenly skipping areas of skin unnoticed. For best results, scrub your skin at least twice a week.
