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How to Tan for Red Skin

Aug 10, 2011 / By Catherine Hiles

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Ashley Tisdale shows off her tan at the 2011 Peopless Choice Awards.

Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

If you're a porcelain princess, you're probably quite familiar with the sun's full wrath. Even ten minutes outside sans sunblock leaves you red as a lobster. While pale skin is the bomb in winter, come summer time you see hundreds of bronzed goddesses who give you a serious case of tan envy. Yet, why should they be the only ones with a sunkissed glow? Be safe and sensible, and rock your own warm glow this summer season.

Slather on sunblock whenever you leave the house, even if it's cloudy outside. Whether the sun is shining, you're exposed to harmful UV rays, which can burn your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer. Use a sunscreen with a high SPF--such as 50 or 75--and don't go below SPF 30.

Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day. Usually, this is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Stay in the shade if you can. Cover up with a loose, flowy kartan and a wide-brimmed sunhat to prevent red, raw skin.

If you do get burned, stay out of the sun completely for a few days. You might want to work on your tan, but burning on top of your burn can cause blistering, which is an ugly as it is painful. Use aloe vera gel to soothe skin, and pop some ibuprofen for pain relief and to reduce swelling.

Grab a self-tanning lotion to fake the real thing. If self-tan leaves you too orange or streaky, try a body lotion that bronzes your skin gradually. Remember to exfoliate your skin thoroughly before slathering on the fake stuff, and wash your hands immediately yo avoid staining. If you want to splurge, head to the salon for a spray-on tan that will leave you sunkissed, without the nasty red skin or unsightly orange streaks.

Learn to love your natural shade. Celebs--such as Kristen Bell, Cate Blanchett and Rose McGowan--are saying no to suntanning and embracing their natural, pale skin tones. Remember that women come in many different shapes, sizes and colors, all of which are beautiful. Show off your pale skin with confidence, and nobody will even notice your lack of sun tan.

Whatever you do, stay away from sunbeds. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to UV rays from sunbeds is just as dangerous as exposure to UV rays from the sun.