It's July and it would seem that, with temperatures soaring ever higher, it would seem that the summer sun is fully upon us. It's easy to be seduced by the warmth of the sun and images of bronze bodies that look like the epitome of health.
Thing is, ironically enough, oftentimes they are not. Almost the opposite in fact.
That suntan that you’ve worked so hard to cultivate is actually your skin trying desperately to protect both itself and you from the harmful ultraviolet rays that sunlight carries in addition. And when I see random people parading around the city streets in next to nothing, their skin so darkly tanned that they resemble something coming out of a barbeque pit, I must admit that it brings out the worst in me. In addition to wanting to shriek 'For God's sake, put some clothes on!', I also have to seriously fight the urge to quote Lady Sovereign of all people - Bitch, do you know you're orange? Odd, because I'm not even a fan of her particular brand of musical stylings.
Before I digress too deeply into another one of my signature tangents, and before you decide to dismiss this rant as mere jealousy, let's just consider the origins of the word 'tan'. Tanning, up until the early twentieth century, was the term used to describe the process of turning animal skin into leather. Up until Coco Chanel declared it fashionable to show off the darker shade of skin that had evolved naturally from her love of the outdoors, a suntan was considered a hallmark of the working classes and something to be avoided wherever possible. Suddenly, the tan quickly became synonymous with healthy and opulent lifestyles. Advertising jumped on the train, and the post-War era was peppered with ads showing women how to get a better, darker tan. And that love affair continues even to this day, as evidenced in the rising number of tanning salons that has built into a billion dollar industry. 
I'm not suggesting that tanning in itself is inherently evil. We all tend to look a little healthier in the summer after we've had some sun, not to mention that a little sun exposure is the body's natural way to produce vitamin D, a necessary component for maintaining strong bones. Overtanning, however, is the leading cause of skin cancer, premature aging, and wrinkles - three things no one is really interested in. But it is possible to find a happy medium, and enjoy sunshine with the same attitude you would have toward alcohol and donuts. Responsibly, and in moderation. And so, with that firmly in mind, here are some easy ways to practice safe sun:
1. Use sunscreen: A sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30 or higher applied twenty minutes before sun exposure, then again twenty to thirty minutes after, and throughout the day if you are swimming or sweating it off your skin seems to be the general consensus of most skin care experts. Anything higher than that could lead to a false sense of protection.
2. Hats are both fashionable AND practical: A wide brimmed hat is a classic summer accessory, made even better with the knowledge that you are protecting your valuable face from excess sun damage and, by extension, wrinkles.
3. Fake it till you make it: If you don't feel human unless you've got a bit of bronze going on, there are a growing number of self-tanning products available to help you achieve a golden glow without the risk of melanoma. Just remember, use a light but steady hand when applying and exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!
4. Know the limit, stay within it: The sun's rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm, so logic would dictate that maybe you should stay out of direct sun during those times. But, since we all know that logic is often short in supply, ensure that you are employing one or more of the safe sun tips previously mentioned!
Unless, of course, you want to look like this in a few years...
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