Faking That Tan Line: Your Guide to a Safe Faux Glow

Let’s face it, a great tan makes you look like a million dollars on the outside, and feel fantastic on the inside.

These days looking instantly svelte and bronzed has never been easier, so before your all-inclusive vacation, Fake that Bake!

Grabbing a few rays

A little sun exposure on holiday is often a good enough reason in itself to book our next vacation. Escaping the cold and damp weather of home can only serve to lighten our spirits and darken our skin. And a post-holiday glow feels fabulous, but hours of lizard-like sunbathing is not the healthy way to go about it.

Some sobering facts

“Treatment without prevention is simply unsustainable.”  Bill Gates

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in five US citizens will develop cancer in their lifetimes. That’s a sobering thought. Invasive melanoma is now the fifth most common cancer for men and the seventh most common cancer for women, and we’re all having second thoughts about sun exposure. A huge 75% of all skin cancer deaths are from melanoma – but if caught and treated early enough there is high success rate in complete cure.

But why tempt fate? As Grandma used to say, prevention is far better than cure. Actually, that was Desiderius Erasmus, but Grandma is always right.

Tanning safely

But let’s not spoil the fun of achieving that golden glow – let’s go faux!

It’s healthier, easier, and you can look your best on Day 1 of your vacation, as you stride along the shore already bronzed and healthy-looking. You’ll look leaner, longer and toned.

It’s so simple to achieve an all-over, even tan, there are lots of quality products on the market.

Hacks for the best Faux Glow

• Choose an all-natural and chemical free self-tanning product, no nasty parabens and packed with pure and natural ingredients that will not pollute the oceans. (See our tips on choosing a reef-friendly sunscreen below)
• Always exfoliate your skin beforehand, and moisturise well for a great streak-free finish to your faux tan.
• Use a mitt to apply the product for a DIY tan, avoiding (or using only a tiny bit on) the ankles and knees – employ a best friend to do your back and areas that are hard to reach.
• If you’re more inclined to let the experts handle it, then go for a spray tan instead. Always choose a shade less than what you think you want – nobody wants to look like a teak table. Remember Ross in that episode of Friends?!

Tanning slowly

And of course, you will still want to lie on the beach, and relax poolside too, but remember that it’s still important to wear sunscreen when you go in the sun, even if you have a tan.

So just tackle it sensibly, with a Check Pricesreef-friendly high factor sun protection cream, and remember to do it slowly, an hour to start, increasing with vacation time, and as your city complexion turns from washed out white to a golden shade of brown. Wear a hat, use sunglasses, spend time under the shaded areas. If you’re traveling with kids, Check PricesTear-Free, Reef-Friendly Sunscreen Lotion is really the only way to go. Our parents may not have known any better, but we sure do.

Whether you tan safely, or fake bake it with that faux glow, enjoy your well-deserved vacation!