Skin as White as Snow

Did you see the recent remake of the movie Snow White titled Mirror, Mirror?  If so, do you remember how beautiful Snow White’s pale white skin was and how it was perfect like porcelain since she wasn’t ever allowed in the sun? Yes, it’s not realistic to NEVER be in the sun but the point is that YOUR skin is more beautiful when naturally pale and should be protected when you are outdoors and you should NEVER use a tanning bed. A lot of people don’t like winter for many reasons, one reason being that they start to look pale. So many of these people will start going to the tanning salon to keep up the golden glow of summer skin. Unfortunately, using tanning beds and not protecting your skin with an SPF moisturizer (especially your face in the winter) is a recipe for disaster.

Tanning beds (indoor tanning) are dangerous. Incredibly dangerous. They cause severe skin damage that will show up just a few years down the road. It doesn’t take 20 or more years to start showing signs of skin damage and premature aging with tanning beds. You will look age faster, start showing wrinkles on your forehead and around your eyes and mouth (this is even happening to 20 year olds who use tanning beds religiously), and you will develop dark age spots. If this alone doesn’t make you want to stop visiting the tanning salon, keep on reading.

Tanning beds cause skin cancer. 2 million new people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. People under 35 years old have a 75% greater chance of developing melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer. Many will say they get their Vitamin D from indoor tanning but the stats are not consistent. If you are concerned about getting Vitamin D, take a Vitamin D supplement from your local vitamin store. Don’t think you are immune to skin cancer because there’s no way that something that feels so warm and relaxing could be so dangerous. But it is one of the most dangerous activities that will harm your body and can do so in just a couple of years.

It’s important to wear a moisturizer morning and night, no matter what season and the moisturizer should have SPF protection from the sun’s damaging rays. Even in winter your skin can be damaged by the sun though it doesn’t feel hot on your skin. It’s as important to apply as applying deodorant and brushing your teeth! Don’t skip this step in your routine!

If you want to look tan or have a “healthy glow” in the winter, simply use some bronzer or try one of the hundreds of self-tanning creams on the market. The creams work so much better now than they did when they first were created. They don’t leave streaky messes on your skin and will not rub onto your clothes or bed sheets. No one will know your tan is not natural – The self-tanners work that well! No matter if you have naturally dark skin or naturally pale skin, your skin is beautiful. You must “love the skin you’re in” because that is what you were blessed with. Embrace it and protect it…always!

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