Australians are beach lovers from way back. We adore the sun and during summer you'll find thousands, if not millions, of us basking in it. The result? We tend to have more pronounced sun damage (think fines lines, wrinkles and sun spots) than any other race.

Worse, we have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. In fact, according to The Cancer Council Australia, one in two people who grow up here experience some form of skin cancer at some time. Thankfully though, there are steps we can take to preserve both our skin and our health.

"The first is to get over the idea that a tan is healthy. It's not," says Craig Sinclair, chair of The Cancer Council Australia's Skin Cancer Committee. "A lot of people refer to a 'healthy tan', but tanning is actually the skin's process of protecting itself from further sun damage," says Sinclair.

"Even a light tan is a sign your skin has been exposed to too much sun. Tanning without burning can still cause DNA and skin damage, leading to premature skin ageing, and can also cause skin cancer."

So what exactly is a tan? Well, to answer that we need to establish a few basic facts about skin. Skin has three main layers. There's the epidermis (the top layer), then the dermis and under that, the subcutis. All three layers are important, but when it comes to the topic of tans, it's the epidermis that really counts. This is because the epidermis contains melanocytes. These are the cells that produce melanin, the substance that gives skin its colour.

When you expose your skin to sunlight the melanocytes produce more melanin and hey presto, you've got a tan. But as Craig Sinclair explains, that's not a good thing. In fact, as we've already discussed, it's an indication of skin damage and can increase your chances of skin cancer. So obviously a tan is to be avoided, but how?

The simplest way to avoid a tan is to stay out of the sun, particularly between the hours of 10am and 3pm. You can also cover up with long sleeves and a hat, but with summer fashion leaning towards skimpy, that can be difficult. Your next best bet? Sunscreen.

Anyone who has ever shopped for sunscreen will know there are literally dozens to choose from. To ensure your sunscreen does the trick the Cancer Council recommends you go for one that has the words "broad spectrum" on the label. This means it blocks out UVA and UVB rays, both of which contribute to sunburn, skin ageing and skin cancer.

You should also check the SPF or sun protection factor of your sunscreen. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection. For example, an SPF15+ will give your skin 15 times its natural protection. If possible you should opt for a sunscreen with an SPF of 30+.

Of course, buying it is only half the trick. The important bit is putting it on. This should be done 20 minutes before heading outdoors. And don't skimp. To ensure your sunscreen is as effective as it can be, apply it liberally, says Libby Harkness, author of The Australian Guide To Cosmetic Surgery (Coulomb Communications).

"Sunscreen should also be reapplied after exercising and swimming even if it's water-resistant," says Harkness. And wear it every day, no matter the weather. "Clouds and haze only filter out a small amount of the UV rays," Harkness adds.

Do all that and your skin will be in great shape. You may be pale, something that Helena Bonham Carter does very well, but if you'd like a bit of colour the way to go is fake.

"Fake tans provide a lovely, even colour," says Emma Hobson, education manager for the International Dermal Institute. "They don't streak, are easy to apply and smell better than they used to."

There are rules when it comes to applying fake tan. First you need to exfoliate all over, focusing particularly on the ankles, knees and elbows. These areas tend to accumulate dry skin, which if not removed will attract the fake tan leaving you with dark patches.

Like sunscreen, there are dozens of fake tans on the market. Hobson prefers those with no alcohol (alcohol can be drying) or mineral oil (it tends to sit on top of the skin rather than being absorbed). And if you plan to use a tanning product on your face, make sure it's suitable, says Hobson.

Options for fake tanning include tinted moisturisers and bronzers. These can provide you with the kind of golden glow that Paris Hilton would be proud of. Again, go for products that are designed for the face, says Hobson, and choose a natural-looking shade.

"You want something that enhances the bronzing effect rather than giving you an orange tint," she says. "And use products that have a nice light texture so you don't get dark patches."

Tinted moisturisers are easy to apply. Pop it on after you've cleansed and toned. If it has an SPF use it liberally to get the full sun protection effect.

Apply with a big, fluffy make-up brush. Blow off the excess, sweep the brush over your face and voila, you've got a gorgeous tan. Remember, fake tan doesn't provide any sun protection. For that you'll need shade, a hat and a liberal covering of sunscreen SPF 30+.

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