Sun Care Tips for UV Safety Awareness Month

July is UV Safety Awareness Month, which is a great time to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep your skin safe in the sun. The summer is when UV (ultraviolet) rays are at their strongest, after all. When it comes to protecting yourself from sunburns and minimizing your skin cancer risk, there are a few factors to consider. Are you applying SPF properly? Do you know the difference between UVA and UVB rays? Get expert tips from Fake Bake for protecting your skin from the hot summer sun and using self-tanner to create a safe, sun-kissed glow.

UV 101: What’s the Difference Between UVA and UVB?

Ultraviolet radiation is a type of radiation that’s produced naturally by the sun and artificially by manmade equipment such as tanning beds and black lights. There are two main types of UV rays — ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). While both are harmful and can cause skin cancer, the way they affect the skin is different.

UVA radiation penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB and is what causes the skin to become damaged as a result of sun exposure. It ages skin cells prematurely, leading to unsightly consequences such as sunspots, rough patches, wrinkles and crepiness. UVB radiation, on the other hand, is what causes the skin to burn when it’s exposed to the sun. Both types of radiation can cause skin cancer, which is why it’s important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen whenever you’re out in the sun. Broad-spectrum sunscreens are designed to protect against both UVB and UVA rays.

How to Apply Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen may seem like a no-brainer, but if you don’t do it properly, you’re putting yourself at risk. Make sure you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 (the higher the SPF, the better). It’s also important not to skimp and use at least two tablespoons of

 lotion (or the equivalent of a shot glass).

Apply sunscreen about a half hour before you go out in the sun and reapply it every two hours throughout the day. If you’re swimming or getting sweaty, you should reapply it every hour. It’s also important to be mindful of the time of day — according to the EPA, the sun is at its strongest and can do the most damage between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Whenever possible, limit your sun exposure during these times.

Fake Bake: The Only Safe Way to Tan

There’s no such thing as “safe” tanning, for all the reasons mentioned above. Yet you can still glow with healthy and beautifully bronzed skin! With Fake Bake Original Self-Tan Lotion (or any of our self-tanning mousses or sprays) you can get gorgeous, sun-kissed skin without exposing yourself to harmful UV rays.

This light, easy-to-apply lotion is made with safe, naturally derived tanning agents that enhance the natural pigment of your skin to deliver a long-lasting, streak-free tan. Perfect for all skin tones and types, the color develops in six to eight hours, and everything you need to apply the lotion properly is in the box.