Before I begin, I just want to put this out there: everything written below is just my personal opinion [with some facts mixed in here and there] that some people may or may not agree with. That’s totally okay, otherwise the world would have been a pretty boring place to live in. I am in no way criticizing or patronizing anyone who sees things differently. Also, I am not a medical expert, and nothing I say here should be considered as medical advice. With that out of the way, here’s why I made a decision to avoid tanning for the rest of my life.
This is not really a return of Talk To Me Tuesday weekly series, I just figured that from now on I will post in this category when I actually have something meaningful to share, and I feel like this particular topic is something I really wanted to talk about.
I wasn’t always this way, it took me almost 20 years to come to this conclusion. Like everyone I know, most of my life I had no idea tanning was bad. I first discovered the dangers of ultraviolet radiation after reading a beauty magazine. I must’ve been middle school age or around that, because that’s when I first got interested in beauty and fashion, so I spent my allowance on Cosmopolitan and Elle. They always have these awesome beauty features for Summer, with the best swimsuits for every body type, best waterproof products, and of course sunscreens and an obligatory article about the importance of SPF. I actually read it, instead of looking at pictures of cute sundresses and flip flops, and for the first time in my life I suddenly became aware of it all. I felt terrified of what I might have done to my body already. From that day, I always used SPF20 in Spring and Summer, and SPF30 at the beach. I thought as long as I don’t get a sunburn, I’m fine; after all, sunscreen is better than no sunscreen, right?
When I turned 21 or 22 one of my friends spent 3 months interning for Zara in Barcelona [what a dream internship, right?]. He [yes, he!] came back with a malignant melanoma on his back and luckily it was discovered early enough so the surgery was a success, but now he’s sporting a very nasty scar. He swears he wore sunscreen every day, and he wasn’t even outside during the day time that often because of his work hours. That incident made me up my SPF game all the way to 50 for Spring and Summer, and sometimes I would start using SPF15 or 20 on very bright Fall and Winter days. I also started giving preference to makeup with SPF.
Several years ago, I think I was around 25 back then, I decided to do some research about sun-blocking ingredients, and was amazed to find out that not all sunscreens are created equal. I won’t bore you with the details, but it really made me toss a few things from my stash. Here are my top picks for sunscreens; they all have amazing formulas and some of the best available ingredients. [note that some browsers don’t show the widget]
I also discovered a very important piece of information, that became the last straw in my decision to avoid the Sun all together. Sun damage is permanent and can not be reversed, however modern technology can make its appearance less visible. I’m talking about invasive treatments like surgical facelift and laser spot removal, both of which most of us will never do. How do we know that the skin is damaged? Well, if it changed color and became darker, then it’s already been damaged. That’s right, tanning without burning still causes skin damage within deeper layers that will come out when the person is older.
After leaning that, I decided to once and for all quit tanning, because it’s absolutely unnecessary, and trying to look like gorgeous bronzed models from magazine spreads at the cost of looking younger later in life just wasn’t worth it. From now on, I wear SPF50+ all over my face, body and hair when I go outside, and SPF30 at home, every single day, whether it’s Summer or Winter. I still enjoy going to the beach, because it’s fun, but I bring my sunscreen and coverups, and would never even think about spending all day there. Max I can handle is 2 hours, most of it in the shade, and definitely not during the peak hours of sun activity. After 5 years of being this way I really, honestly feel that my skin is aging so slowly, I almost don’t see any changes at all. I look the same at 30 as I did when I was 25, and it’s not wishful thinking. Of course it’s almost impossible to avoid the sun exposure completely, but I hope that my 50-year-old self will thank me for making this decision 5 years ago.
Tan is our body’s natural defense mechanism, by releasing melanin it’s trying to shield and protect itself from harmful radiation, but it is not an impenetrable shield, it’s a scar. Tanning is essentially an unhealthy habit that people voluntarily choose to do because they want to, like all bad habits such as smoking, drugs, and alcohol, even though it clearly doesn’t have a negative impact on other people’s lives. It’s like biting nails; but if nails can grow back once a person quits, the skin will never go back to its real age. That’s why people who spend a lot of time in the sun, protected or not, always seem to look older than those who don’t tan. It’s a matter of personal choice, and everyone has the right to do what they want with their bodies, as long as they are okay with the consequences. A life with no regrets is a life well-lived, after all!
Even though I learned to genuinely love my fair complexion, sometimes I like to change things up and fake a tan, too 🙂 My solution? Sunless tanners and bronzers are a great alternative. Here are some of my favorites, all tried and tested by yours truly. [note that some browsers don’t show the widget]
With all the negatives, sun rays have one important positive quality – this is the best natural source of Vitamin D, a hormone that controls calcium levels in blood, and promotes bone and muscle health. Getting Vitamin D naturally is better than taking it as a supplement, and all it takes is 10-15 minutes a day of unprotected sun exposure on a small part of the body. I do it early in the morning or at sunset, and usually expose one foot.
TL;DR [too long, didn’t read] Here are some key points:
- Sun damage is permanent and irreversible
- Even the faintest tan = sun damage
- Wind burn is actually sunburn
- Age spots are actually sun damage
- Sun is responsible for the majority of all premature wrinkles, skin sagging, and skin roughness
- Sun is the best source of Vitamin D, but only if we’re smart about it
Well, now that you know my story, feel free to share yours, I would love to see what you all have to say about this topic, but let’s keep it nice and polite in here. Feel free to share a link to this post with your friends and readers if you think they’d be interested in reading about my journey to pastiness 🙂
What is your take on tanning? Feel free to share your thoughts (in a respectful manner, please)!
Your skin is gorgeous!
Thank you so much, Deanna! Your words make me feel better about my commitment to a sun-less lifestyle 🙂
Seriously the best choice EVER!! Pale with flawless skin and no cancer or wrinkles. I would take that any day then tan with sun spots, pre-cancer issues and wrinkles. You are simply gorgeous and made the best choice!!! No Sun!!
Thank you Jamie, I’m so glad to see that you agree with my choices! My family used to make fun of me for being so pale all the time 🙂
I’m not much of a tanner as of the past 25 years haha
Your skin will thank you for that!
ColoreScience for the win! Love that stuff!
It’s so convenient!
You look so pretty! I used to tan a lot (!!) when I was 15 or so and sunscreen seemed just so unnecessary then (stupid, right?) and so I managed to burn my skin at least once every summer. I wish I had known all this about tanning then 🙁
I know what you mean, I was a big time tanner during my teen years, too, and experienced a fair share of sunburns. Knowing about the dangers would have been good, but I guess it’s never too late to stop, right? And thank you! :))
You’re so pretty! I do like to look tan, but I am not a fan of burning, which happens first because I’m so pale, lol! So I either avoid the sun or wear a lot of sunscreen!
Not going to lie, I do like the look of tan skin, too. Luckily, there are plenty of sun-less tanning alternatives these days. And thank you! 🙂 <3
” tanning today is like borrowing your beauty from tomorrow” what an amazing quote! Thank you for writing this. This is the first summer I’ve been diligent about SPF and I hope I can keep it up.
Good for you Miranda! Your future self will definitely thank you for making the right choice.
I love your picks because I use those products too!
Those are great products, aren’t they? I’m obsessed with everything from Supergoop 🙂
The comment about any tan is damage Is great food for thought. The video was also a great addition to this post!
Just curious what product you use for SPF in/on hair? Meaning hair itself, or scalp, or both?
And everybody — don’t forget SPF on ears!
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed my post!
I use regular spray sunscreens on my hair if I’m wearing it in a bun. When I have my hair down I opt in for hairsprays with SPF, like Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil. Redken makes one too, I don’t remember the name, but i like Aveda better because it doesn’t make my hair look greasy. I don’t use SPF on my scalp, I think the spray is enough, but the best option is to wear a hat 🙂
Good call about SPF on the ears! Another tricky places that people often forget to cover are the nape of the neck and areas behind the ears.
You have gorgeous skin and I agree, tanning, UV style is just plain bad for us.
I am a child of the seventies… We worshiped the sun. With baby oil and reflectors. LOL Happily, I wasn’t a hardcore sunbather, just a casual, now and again kind of tanner. I think that the fact that I haven’t gotten as much sun as many of my generation is why I don’t have as much sun damage as I definitely could. 🙂 Nowadays, knowing better, it is sunscreen and big sun hats for this old broad. 😀
Thank you Erika!
I know what you mean, my Mom used to tan a lot because it was so popular and nobody knew about the dangers back then. I still can’t make her stop, but at least now she uses products with higher SPF.
Yep, this is why I avoid burning. I burned too much as a teenager 🙁
Sadly, me too 🙁 I wish I knew about all those dangers 15 years ago.
Love those choices!
Thank you!
Like Erika, we used to apply baby oil (and sometimes even Crisco!) trying to get the most tan we could. I never could – always burn and peel, burn and peel. All that damage I did! Unbelievable to me now. You made the smart choice to stop tanning, and you’re lucky that your skin is still beautiful porcelain.
Haha, Crisco, wow you guys went all out! 🙂 I think Mom used olive and coconut oils back then, lol. She still loves tanning even after knowing all the risks. It’s her choice, I can’t tell her what to do, but at least she uses higher SPF these days.
Honestly, I’ve done a fair share of damage to my skin too, so it’s not in great condition, but hopefully it can stay the same and not get any worse as long as I don’t tan anymore.
I have a very similar story! I stayed with my grandpa while he was in hospice and watched him die of cancer. It wasn’t skin cancer, but I used to be addicted to tanning beds, and when I was with him I decided I would never do anything so completely avoidable to give myself cancer. I haven’t gone tanning in over 5 years 🙂 I embrace the pasty! Your skin looks fantastic, I like it way better lighter!
Thank you for sharing your story, Justina, and high five to a fellow 5-year-pasty! Your skin is absolutely gorgeous, too!
You have beautiful Snow White skin and I love it. Tanning is not that big of a deal here unless you are a tourist, because most locals are rocking naturally tanned skin, but I definitely have never been one to do so.
Thank you Honey! I’m so envious of your naturally tanned complexion 🙂
You are beautiful in your natural complexion. I use faux self-tanners when I feel like switching up my skin tone esp during the summer. And yes, I don’t leave home sans sunscreen. Aside from melanoma, excessive and prolonged sun exposure also leads to premature aging.
Thank you, Kath, you are too sweet! And kudos to you for protecting your skin, all that work really paid off! I’d never be able to tell how old you are 🙂
Sun protection is extremely important. I have friends who were obsessed with tanning beds in their 20s and are now regretting it.
I agree, it’s best to start early, but it’s never too late to begin. Learning from other people’s experience is a smart move.
great pics girl! love the story!
Thank you, Laura! I’m glad you enjoyed reading about my journey.
The Colorescience brush is so handy!
It really is! I have spf brush powders from other brands, but this one if my favorite. Love that matte finish, too.
Great post – I usually apply sunscreen, and this is a reminder that I can stand to be more vigilant about it!
Thank you for your comment and for reading my crazy ramblings! I only wish I was that diligent about other important things in life, like washing dishes or folding laundry 😉
I love your honesty and how it has given you the awareness of the dangers in tanning. Melanoma is a cause of concern. I also stopped tanning about five years ago.
High-five, Norah! Maybe one day being ghostly pale will be cool again and we will be among the trendsetters 🙂
Ana, you make white skin glamorous (or should I say “glamorable”?). Great article, and I loved the video. We shouldn’t be ashamed of the skin we were born with, thinking that darker is better. The older ladies today with beautiful skin are the ones who have protected it from the sun. I agree with your comment:
There is nothing healthy about a tan. Essentially, tanning today is like borrowing your beauty from tomorrow.
Thanks, Mom! I’m happy to hear that you liked my post, it’s always hard to share a piece of myself and put it on the Internet for everyone to see and criticize. I hope I can spread awareness about sun damage and maybe even inspire someone to stop tanning and embrace the skin color they’re born with. By the way, Grandma has the most beautiful skin, because she always hides from the sun 🙂
I really like your in-depth description and honestly you look so much better with ligher skin, it even makes you look younger.
Thank you Betzy, I was happy to share my journey to pastiness 🙂
Amen sister. I can’t nod my head fast enough.