This site is all about getting really tan. However, sometimes there is no alternative but to avoid tanning. This is ok. Today's article discusses when you should stay out of the sun and avoid tanning. We'll also discuss ways you can still enjoy yourself while giving your skin a break from the sun. As a complementary article, you may also want to check out our tips on how to avoid a tan.

Avoid The Sun If You Are Taking Medication

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Golden rule number one of tanning is to avoid the sun if you are taking any kind of medication. Your doctor will also give this advice and often times you will see a warning on the side of your medication bottle to avoid the sun. There is good reason for this. Many medications will act up and cause you some serious issues if you get sun exposure, indoor and outdoor. The last thing you want is a rash on your skin in the best case or a severe sun burn in the worst case. Another tip: Medication in this example also extends to lotions and creams. If you are applying a lotion to your skin, these medications can often become problematic in the sun. The best solution is to avoid tanning when you are taking medication. As always, make sure to consult with your doctor.

Avoid Tanning If You Have A Sunburn

If you have a sunburn, you will want to let it heal before going back in the sun, either outdoors or indoors. Many people believe that they get more tan if they get burnt. The reason? After the burn goes away, they are left with tan skin. This is not a good thing to do. Each time you burn your skin, you are permanently damaging your body. Sunburns should be avoided at all costs. How? Knowing your limits and when you need to call it a day and also using proper sun protection and tanning lotions. So what if you get a sunburn, is it a big deal? Of course not. It happens to everyone who enjoys the sun. The key here is to minimize your sunburns (you will get a lot better as you become an experienced tanner) and to stay out of the sun if you do have a burn. Adding more rays to a burn will only add more damage.

Fresh New Tattoo

Cool tattoos go great with a deep tan. Tattoos are fun and a great way to express yourself. However, keep in mind that if you get a new tattoo, you will need at least a month to let it heal before exposing your tattoo to the sun. The best thing to do here is to pay attention to the advice your tattoo artist gives you. They will tell you exactly how to care for your tattoo during the healing process. Another tip is to strategically plan when you get your tattoo. If you are just about to go on a tropical vacation, it's probably the wrong time to get a tattoo. If it's November and the winter is just starting, it's probably a great time to get a tattoo. You will want to plan it so you are at the low point in your tanning lifecycle.

You Are Worried About Skin Cancer

I'm going to start this section with a disclaimer. There is a lot of bad press out there about tanning, especially indoor tanning. It is overdone. I don't know why the media dislikes indoor tanning so much but it's not fair. One of my top goals with this site is to spread the good news about tanning. It's part of a fun and healthy lifestyle. There are so many benefits of tanning. The benefits, in my humble opinion, outweigh the potential risks. That being said, it always pays to be cautious. Get regular checkups with your doctor to check your skin for signs of skin cancer. This is super important if you go tanning a lot. Especially keep a close eye on your moles. If you see them changing color or shape, make sure to avoid the sun until you can check with your doctor.

You Can Still Have Fun

Life is short. Even if you must avoid tanning, don't feel down. You can enjoy a tropic paradise from under the shade of an umbrella. It's much easier to read in the shade so maybe you could take the opportunity to listen to the ocean and read an interesting book or magazine. Or, why not go shopping? When I visit Las Vegas, it's always hard to decide whether I want to tan or go shopping. They're both a lot of fun. If you can't tan, enjoy the shopping.