How to make your tan last longer
Did you know that, on average, an adult's skin renews itself in 28 to 30 days? As we age, this process slows down and cell renewal eventually takes around 50 to 60 days. We cannot influence the pace of this renewal process, yet there are certainly some things you can do and not do to preserve your holiday tan for as long as possible:
Limit your bath and shower time
To preserve your tan, it is wise not to expose your skin to water for too long, as this dries out the skin. The colder the water, the better!
Hydrate - Hydrate - Hydrate ...
Lubricating the skin after showering is a task for many because it takes 'so much time'. And yet this magical daily routine makes just THE big difference. So: once you have dried off after showering (pat dry, do not rub), immediately apply a body cream, lotion, butter or oil. The moisture in your body will evaporate less quickly this way, preventing dry skin.
Scrub in moderation
Scrubbing is especially important before going out in the sun. It removes dead skin cells, allowing the colour to penetrate deeper into the skin. Do this no more than once a week and always use a moisturising cream or oil afterwards. This way, you only remove dead skin cells and not your tan!
Are you sunburnt? Then use a cooling aftersun.
Drink plenty of water
Drinking enough water not only improves skin circulation, it also makes skin cells live longer.
Eat fruit and vegetables rich in beta-carotene
To stimulate melanin production (which makes you tan faster and the tan lasts longer), eat plenty of fruit and vegetables rich in beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a strong antioxidant that counteracts the ageing of (skin) cells caused by too much sun. You can find beta-carotene for example in tomatoes, carrots, cabbage and broccoli, green leafy vegetables like spinach and orange and yellow fruits (e.g. mangoes and mandarins).
What to do in case of sunburn peeling ?
Peeling is the body's way of getting rid of damaged cells. When your skin is sunburnt, your body automatically triggers a mechanism that breaks down all the damaged cells as quickly as possible.
If your skin is peeling, cover it with loose-fitting clothes. Hydrate sufficiently and regularly. When your face is peeling use a hydrating face cream as well as a hydrating face mask. Avoid touching the skin as much as possible, this can only damage it. Let your body do the work itself - at its own pace - to replace the damaged skin.
