When we return from summer vacation, we often have a little tan or tan. Remember, however, that it is imperative to protect yourself from UV rays by applying sunscreen with sufficient SPF regularly, and by avoiding direct and prolonged exposure. “Tanning remains a phenomenon in response to UV damage to the skin. It develops a protective function by producing a pigment to counter their aggressive effects“, specifies in the preamble Dr Dima Haidar, dermatologist, who shares his advice on Instagram under the pseudonym @doctor_skin.
But if you have indeed tanned this summer, you may be looking for little tips to keep it longer and prolong this healthy glow as much as possible. You can highlight it through makeup or by wearing certain outfits that will make it stand out. The tan generally remains for the duration of renewal, namely around 25 days, as the specialist specifies. But certain mistakes in the beauty routine can make it go away more quickly.
What not to do to make your tan last longer
Excessive scrubs
Mechanical exfoliation will exfoliate the skin and rid it of impurities and dead skin. But if you want to prolong your tan, this action should be avoided because it “will eliminate dead cells and therefore part of the pigmentation accumulated on the surface as well“, specifies the doctor.
Use certain assets
Certain ingredients such as AHAs or retinoids should also be put aside during this period because they act as a chemical exfoliant. Moreover, “if you have burned your skin in the sun, their use is not recommended because it will have less tolerance“, adds Dr Haidar.
Take hot showers and baths
“When you take a very hot bath or shower, it is harsh and dehydrating. The body, in trying to regulate its temperature, loses water, which causes surface cells to leave more quickly.“, continues the dermatologist. She adds that you should also avoid rubbing your skin too much, whether with a shower flower or a washcloth. The doctor also advises against using shower gels that are too aggressive for the skin.
Pulling on your skin when it peels
After sunbathing, especially if you have a sunburn, the skin may start to peel. “You have to let this process happen. We continue to moisturize, if we don’t care about losing our tan we can exfoliate lightly but hydration remains the best ally. We support the process so that the skin that renews itself is healthy“, explains the dermatologist. “On the other hand, we avoid exfoliating too much, and we certainly do not pull on the skin to peel it off. This prevents the repair process happening underneath“, she adds.
Not hydrating your skin
To enhance and prolong your tan, the most important thing is to hydrate the skin as much as possible.to maintain the cells in their state, including dead cells which contain the pigment“, as Dr Dima Haidar explains. For this, it is possible to turn to after-sun creams, which are often restorative and rich.
Not drinking enough water
The key to keeping your skin tanned for as long as possible is to hydrate it, and this includes drinking enough water. “Being hydrated correctly and according to your physical activity is essential. We consume at least 1.5 L per day and people who play sports or are exposed to high heat must drink more“, adds Dr. Dima Haidar. “You should always have a sufficient water reservoir. Water goes primarily to the vital organs, the surplus will go to our skin. So if you don’t drink enough, the skin will be dehydrated and lose elasticity.“
Once the tan has disappeared, how can you maintain a healthy glow?
If you have taken tanning supplements, it is generally advisable to continue the treatment as maintenance, 2 to 3 weeks after returning. Then, Dr. Haidar recommends turning to tips to enhance your natural skin tone while looking good rather than trying to tan. “To maintain healthy skin and a healthy glow, it is important to eat good fiber, good vitamins (C, E, B in particular) through fruits, vegetables and certain proteins as well as good fats (vegetable oil, fatty fish) which will help to have a strong skin barrier.” Foods rich in beta carotene such as carrots, pumpkin, tomatoes will help you look good and maintain a nice complexion.
To stock up on vitamin D, the expert specifies that just exposing your forearms for a few minutes is enough. And if you really want to have a deeper tan, she advises occasionally turning to “a self-tanner with DHA, a natural sugar that produces a brown pigment on the surface of the skin“On the other hand, the dermatologist reminds us to absolutely avoid the UV cabins that come.”attack cells even more, with an increased risk of sunburn and cancer“.
*Thanks to Dr Dima Haidar, dermatologist.
Read also :
⋙ Tanning, sunburn: 5 preconceived ideas about sun protection
⋙ Tanning: how to prepare your skin and prolong it, while protecting yourself effectively from the sun?
⋙ After-sun: when to use it? Tips and homemade recipes to prolong your tan