It doesn't matter how badly you want to get tan--it's never okay for you to harm your skin by sitting outside for too long without proper protection. Sunburn can lead to skin cancer. Even if you don't develop serious health problems from it, it's never any fun to look as red as a crab and to watch all of your skin peel off. In order to avoid those issues, here are a few ways to avoid getting a bad sunburn this summer:
If you're super pale, or aren't used to going outside, then you should wear a high SPF. Don't settle for 15 SPF when you could buy 50. However, you don't have to splurge on a bottle that claims to be 100 SPF, because anything over 50 doesn't protect you as much as it promises. So if you can save money by buying the 50 instead of the 100, do so. You aren't going to get different results from it.
You should apply your sunscreen a half-hour before you step outside. If you're going to be out for long, then you should bring that bottle with you, because you'll need to reapply the same amount of sunscreen every two hours. It's the best way to protect yourself from a painful sunburn.
You run a higher risk of getting sunburn when you step outside between 10AM and 4PM. That's when it's typically going to be the hottest out, so if you want to take a safe dip in the pool, do it after dinnertime when the weather has cooled down a bit.
If you can stand wearing long sleeves and pants in the heat, then you should do so. Not only will it protect your skin from the sun, but it'll also protect you from pesky mosquito bites. Just stay away from wearing black, because it'll make you become hotter faster than any other color will.
Your arms and legs aren't the only places that you need to protect. You also need to take care of the spots that are impossible to apply sunscreen to. Buy Chapstick with sunscreen in it to protect your lips, hats with a 4 inch brim to protect your scalp, and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
It might be hard for you to apply sunscreen to your back, which is why you should ask someone for a hand. If your skin is going to be exposed, then it needs to be covered in sunscreen. It might help to buy a spray on sunscreen, because you'll have an easier time applying it to the hard to reach places.
If your goal is to get a tan, you should start by stepping out into the sun for only a few minutes a day. Once your skin gets a little darker, then you can spend a little more time in the sun. Just make sure that you gradually work up your tolerance. If you're ghostly white and spend an entire day under the sun without protection, you're going to end up in extreme pain.
Sunburn can cause health complications in the future, so make it your mission to avoid getting it this summer. Do you always end up with a bad case of sunburn or do you do a good job at protecting your skin?