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Is it a good idea to get a base tan?

Let’s be clear: No tan is a good tan. Any change in your skin colour caused by sun exposure is evidence that your epidermis has been damaged by ultraviolet rays. And as for the theory that gradually tanning over several weeks will somehow safeguard you from sunburn, it’s nothing more than a mirage. “Having a base colour may offer some protection, but it will not protect you from a sunburn,” says Dr Joely Kaufman, an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Miami. “You will absolutely still need to apply a sunscreen with at least a 30SPF.”