SUMMER is here and so is the problem of skin darkening. So how do you prevent uneven tanning of your skin?

Staying out of the sun altogether may not be a logical option. But you can enjoy the sun sensibly with these pointers.

Tanning is not all that bad

Your skin darkens as a defence mechanism against the harmful radiation of the sun. The skin produces melanin, which acts as a sun block. And this causes the skin to darken.

Follow the routine

"There are six skin types. The Indian skin falls between skin type three to five. And these skin types can't prevent themselves from tanning," says Dr Aparna Santhanam, Dermatologist, Kaya Skin Clinic.

So while total prevention is ruled out, you can minimise skin darkening by religiously following these routines.

Before stepping out:

• Remember to hydrate yourself well with enough water and juices.
  
  
• Apply a sunscreen half an hour before stepping out. Since ours is a tropical climate, the humidity can cause you to sweat and wash out the sunscreen. A half an hour period will allow the sunscreen to be absorbed by the skin properly and will be more effective.
  
  
• Apply it in the thickness as mentioned on the product label. Applying it in a minute portion is not sufficient to save your skin from tanning. For example, if you were to use only a small portion of SPF 15 sunscreen, then it will give you the protection of 7.5 SPF, which is half of it.
  
  
• Do not forget to wear a cap and loose fitting, full sleeved cotton clothes.