Many Montanans are Pale This Summer: Here’s How to Fix That

Summer this year in Missoula has been unusual because of the weather. There have been a couple of days of sunshine, cloudy days, and then rain, leaving many Montanans as pale as they were in winter. However, in the next week, it will be heating up. Here are some tips to tan, but not burn safely.

Prep for Tanning:

Moisturize before, even if it’s with aloe vera or just regular lotion then on tanning lotion. I remember my mom told me she would use Crisco or baby oil, absolutely none of that. If you are prone to burning, I would highly recommend just using normal sunscreen.

During Tanning:

When I went to Reno this past summer it was 90 degrees and I laid in the sun for 20 minutes. Even though I was hydrated when I went inside I fell right back down from heat stroke. Afterward, I was still determined to be tan, but I did not want heat stroke again.

If it’s going to be over 80 degrees I would recommend getting a kiddy pool to prevent overheating. The water reflects the sun which results in a better tan. If you don’t want to invest in a kiddy pool, a sprinkler would work too.

Listening to your body is the most important. If you don’t feel well step inside for a moment the sun will be there when you come back outside. Little to no alcohol when it’s hotter than 80 degrees and lots of water.

After Tanning:

Moisturizing right after is very important because it prevents peeling. I double moisturize with lotion and aloe vera. Drinking lots of water hydrates the skin and keeps the skin glowing.

The most important thing when tanning is to listen to your body. Everyone’s body is different and absorbs the sun differently. Happy tanning.