EC Insight: How to get a Safe Summer Tan

Posted June 29, 2011 by Suzy Kenny.

The Human race has always had a special relationship with the sun. Primitive civilizations in every region have worshipped the sun because it brought warmth and encouraged growth of crops. In the 1920s daily sunlight exposure was hyped as a cure for everything from acne to tuberculosis.

The true status of a suntan came about when Coco Chanel returned from a Mediterranean holiday sporting a deep golden tan. Everyone longed for Coco's lifestyle, tan included. Shortly after the first sunscreens, tanning oils and powdered bronzers (to brown the spots the sun missed) were manufactured and sold to the masses. Fashion trends developed so women could show off their tanned limbs; shoes were worn without stockings and sleeveless dresses became stylish.

Coco Chanel

By the 1930s a suntan became a symbol of health, luxury and fashion. The 1940s introduced advertisements in women's magazine encouraging sunbathing. In 1946 the Bikini arrived and since swimsuits have only gotten skimpier. In the 1950s advertisements began targeting women at a younger age, the Coppertone baby was conceived and still graces all of Coppertone's packaging today. Hence the mass popularity of a suntan continues.  

Cover of a 1930's Vogue Magazine

Johnson's claim has since been proven a false

Also a false claim- exposure to sunlight without protection will cause early-aged, wrinkly skin

In recent years skin cancer has being increasing at a terrifying rate, melanoma is one of a handful of cancers where the incidence in Canadians continues to increase. Melanoma is a cancer that starts in the DNA of the cells responsible for your hair and skin's colour. When their DNA is damaged, it causes the cells to grow uncontrollably leading to a malignant tumour; Skin Cancer.

The damage can be inherited through genetic mutations, but it's often accumulated over time as a result of environmental factors like exposure to the sun. Excessive exposure to UV from the sun is the most preventable cause of this disease. Experts estimate about 90% of melanomas are associated with severe UV exposure and sunburns over a lifetime. Thank you to the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund for raising awareness of the disease.

Even though there are obvious threats to your health, the tan fad isn't going away anytime soon. Its meaning of wealth and style is ingrained in the social makeup of our population. Here's how EC can help you achieve bronzed skin this summer without having to depend on the harmful UV rays of the sun:

• Always wear Pro-Derm facial day cream in SPF 20 or SPF 60. This light-weight moistuizer can be used every day to protect your skin from the suns UV rays. Available in store only, ask about it at your next service.
• Always mist your hair and scalp with EC Shade Spray contains SPF 15 to protect all hair types from fading and sun damage. Available online and in store.    
• Use EC's Sunless Tanner ! It's a non-greasy formula that works like a charm for all skin types! Be sure to use EC sugar scrub to exfoliate your skin before applying Sunless Tanner to ensure a consistent application resulting in a fully bronzed bod.
• From July 1- August 30 buy $30 worth of EC cosmetics and receive a free EC bronzer, great to fill in any spot you may have missed with your Sunless Tanner! 

We want you to stay healthy and fashionably tanned this summer- so we've created a Special Offer in store from July 13- August 30:

Thanks for reading EC's Safe Summer Tan solutions!