Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Protect your skin
• Part 2 of 3: Preventing darkening of the skin through diet
• Part 3 of 3: Staying out of the sun
• Tips

When skin senses UV rays from the sun, it produces melanin to protect itself, darkening your skin. However, this is also a sign of skin damage. The only way to keep your skin from darkening in the sun is to protect it from the ultraviolet rays that cause tanning, cancer, premature aging and wrinkles. There are many ways to do this, including covering your skin with lotions, clothing, and other products that protect you from the sun.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Protect your skin

1. Apply sunscreen. The lotions and creams and sprays that protect your skin from the sun do so in different ways, but they are all designed to protect your skin from damage, and this will prevent your skin from tanning.
   • Sunscreen filters the UV radiation that penetrates your skin. Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen, which protects against UVA and UVB, with an SPF of at least 30. Sunscreen gel is good for the hairy parts of your body, such as your scalp.
   • Sunblock creates a physical barrier between the sun and your skin. Look for a broad spectrum, an SPF of at least 30, and ingredients like octyl salicylate and methoxycinnamate, and octocrylene.
   • Apply the protection about 30 minutes before going out and use at least 30 grams of sunscreen with each application. Repeat after swimming, activities that have made you sweat, or every two hours.
   Question and answer V.

   "Can you use the same sunscreen on your face as you do on the rest of your body?"

   
   

   Apply sunscreen to those areas of your body that you often forget. Sunscreen is only effective on the areas of the body where you apply it, and there are some areas that people often forget. Don't forget to apply sunscreen to your:

   • Nose
   • The tip of your ears
   • Skull
   • Lips
   • Eyelids
2. Wear sun protection make-up. Most moisturisers, bronzers, foundations and lipsticks are available today with built-in sun protection. For an extra layer of protection for your face, choose cosmetics with an SPF value of at least 15.
   • Since you only apply makeup once (in the morning), you can't rely on it for all your sun protection. Use sun protection makeup with your other sunscreen. You still need to apply a base coat of sunscreen on your face before applying makeup.
3. Wear sunscreen every day. This is still true even if you don't plan to go outside. Your skin is still exposed to UV rays indoors because UV rays pass directly through glass and windows in buildings and houses.
   • Wearing sunscreen in the car is also important, as UV rays also pass through the windows of the car.
4. Wear sun protection clothing. Most summer clothes do not provide measurable sun protection, but there are clothes that are specifically designed to protect you.
   • Sun protection clothing will have a UPF rating to indicate how much protection it provides. Look for something with a UPF of at least 30 and be sure to wear long sleeves, long pants and high collars for the most skin protection.
   • As for regular clothing without a UPF rating, dark clothing with a tight weave offers more protection than light colors and open weave fabrics.
5. Cover your face. To protect your face from tanning or sunburn, wear a wide-brimmed hat with a brim that is at least two to three inches wide.
   • Keep in mind that straw hats and open-weave hats still let the sun through.
   • Choose brim hats that protect you completely, or veils that protect sensitive areas such as the ears and back of the neck. If you want to wear a baseball cap or hat with minimal coverage, pair it with a sun protection veil or bandanna, which will cover the exposed areas.
6. Take reflected sunlight into account. Sunlight and UV rays reflect off many surfaces. You have to be careful with direct rays of the sun and those that bounce back to you from below as they can all darken your skin.
   • Some of the most reflective surfaces are water, snow, sand and concrete.

Part 2 of 3: Preventing darkening of the skin through diet

1. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. There is growing evidence that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help protect skin from the sun. However, it is important to use the diet in conjunction with other sun protection measures such as sunscreen and protective clothing. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include:
   • salmon
   • Halibut
   • Algae
   • Nut oil
   • Chia and hemp seeds
2. Add lycopene-rich foods to your meals. Lycopene is an antioxidant found mainly in red foods such as tomatoes and red peppers. However, to get the most benefit from lycopene as sun protection, it is important to cook the food in a small amount of oil. Some good sources of lycopene are therefore:
   • Tomato paste
   • Vegetable pasta sauces
   • Roasted red peppers
3. Eat dark chocolate. Cocoa is full of antioxidants such as flavonoids and catechins, and eating cocoa can help protect your skin from sun damage. To get the most benefits from dark chocolate, eat about 60g per day.
   • Avoid chocolate with added milk, as it can interfere with the body's ability to absorb all of the antioxidants.

Part 3 of 3: Staying out of the sun

1. Keep an eye on the UV index. The UV index is a measure of the strength of the sun's UVA and UVB rays on a given day. The higher the index, the stronger the sun and the greater the risk of tanning and skin damage.
   • You can check the UV index in your area on local weather reports or websites such as the Sunburn Map, and the UV index on the World Health Organization web page.
   • A low UV index is between 0 and 2 and indicates that you don't have to worry about sun protection.
   • A moderate UV index is between 3 and 7, which means sun protection is required.
   • A high UV index is 8 and above and means that you must take strict precautions to protect yourself.
   • An extremely high UV index is 10 and above. When the sun is that strong, you should stay indoors as much as possible.
2. Stay out of the sun when it is strongest. The sun is always strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If possible, you should stay indoors during this time.
   • To avoid the sun during peak times, try planning outdoor activities and outings early in the morning or evening, rather than in the afternoon.
   • It is not always possible to stay indoors when the sun's rays are most intense, but if you must go outside, take precautions to protect your skin. This is especially true when the UV index is moderate or high.
   • The sun is stronger in the summer months, but you still have to worry about sun protection in the winter. This is especially true if you like to ski, for example, because the air is thinner at higher altitudes and the sun has a stronger effect.
3. Stay in the shade. If you have to be out in the sun, one of the best ways to protect against darkening of your skin is to stay in the shade. This is especially important on days with a high UV index and when the sun is strongest in the middle of the day. Good places to look for shade are:
   • Tall trees with dense leaves
   • Buildings
   • Covered structures such as summer cottage and patio
4. Create your own shadow. It is always a good idea to bring a regular umbrella outside as it can protect you from both sun and rain. A black umbrella can provide a UPF of 50+, so it can be used to provide shade when you need to be out in the sun.
   • Just make sure you still wear sunscreen and protective clothing under the umbrella, as UV rays will still shine on certain areas of your skin. The bigger the umbrella, the better, because a larger umbrella protects you from more reflected UV rays.

Tips

• Sunscreen should not be used on babies under six months old. Keep them out of the sun, shaded and covered to protect their sensitive skin from the sun.