Winter Holiday? Keep Your Sun-Kissed Skin Looking Smooth
If you’re lucky enough to be escaping the wild, wet and windy days of autumn or winter and are jetting off for a sun-drenched break, you may be wondering how to keep your tan for as long as possible, as well as how to protect your skin and make sure it looks soft, smooth and radiant when you return home. Here are some simple tips to preserve your golden tan and keep your sun-kissed skin looking smooth and bright:
Before you go
Before you go on holiday, take steps to prepare your skin. In cold weather, it’s even more important to keep your skin nourished and to protect it from the elements.
Moisturize on a regular basis, exfoliate once a week and make sure that you use lotion on your body as well as your face. Take extra care with patches of dry skin, such as on the elbows and knees, and consider using a thicker, more intensive moisturizer than your summer cream or lotion.
Hair removal is important if you’re planning to hit the beach and show off your bikini body, and there are lots of methods you can use. Shaving is quick and easy, but the results don’t last long and you’ll have to make sure you take a razor with you to get rid of any returning unwanted hair. Waxing is a good option if you’re going on a beach holiday, as the results last for a few weeks. However, you will need to plan in advance and grow the hair until you have an appointment before you go. Sometimes, waxing can leave the skin irritated, so make sure you have your appointment at least a couple of days before you go. If you’re looking for a long-term solution to unwanted hair, Manchester laser hair removal treatment may be worth considering. This treatment reduces the thickness and volume of hair and it is really effective for people who want something that lasts a lot longer than shaving, waxing or hair removal cream. Laser treatment involves a number of sessions but by the end of it there should be no hair left at all, leaving your skin to feel soft, smooth and radiant.
When you’re on holiday
When you’re away, it’s essential to protect the skin from harmful UV rays and to cover up so that you don’t get burned. Use a high factor sunscreen if you have fair skin that burns easily, and avoid sunbathing during the hottest part of the day. Stay hydrated throughout the day and go into the shade if you feel your skin burning.
When you go inside after a day in the sun, use after sun lotion to nourish and soothe the skin.
When you get back home
When you get home from your holiday, moisturize a lot to keep your skin feeling soft and smooth. Try to exfoliate once a week and be sure that you drink plenty of fluids. Use shower oil, rather than lotion or cream, and avoid treatments that remove layers of the skin, such as waxing or hair removal cream. You can also buy products that contain a small amount of tanning lotion, which helps to prolong your golden glow.
When your tan starts to fade, resist the temptation to top it up using a sunbed. Sunbeds use very strong UV rays to give you an artificial tan, but they increase the risk of sun damage, skin cancer, and premature aging. It’s much safer to use self-tan lotion. There are some really great products out there, so you don’t have to worry about looking orange. Exfoliate before you apply your tanning lotion and always use a mitt to prevent staining on the palm of your hand. Take extra care when tanning your hands, feet, elbows and knees. If you’re worried that you’re going to look streaky or patchy, you could always visit a beauty salon for a professional spray tan.