Sun care is one of my favorite topics to cover in the magazine each year. Growing up, my mother taught me the importance of sun protection, but it didn’t stop me from trying to get a shade darker each time I laid out by the pool.   Sun care is one of my favorite topics to cover in the magazine each year. Growing up, my mother taught me the importance of sun protection, but it didn’t stop me from trying to get a shade darker each time I laid out by the pool.   Years later, surrounded by aestheticians and educators in the industry, I’ve embraced my natural skin tone and always make sure my skin care products are loaded with SPF.I always thought the addiction to sun bathing was motivated by the desire for tanned skin, but recently I realized it is the exposure to sunlight that our bodies can crave. In fact, frequent exposure to ultraviolet light is known to produce endorphins in the body. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation reporting a 2017 study at Georgetown University Medical Center, “20% of women who tan show signs of tanning dependency. The researchers ran 400 women through a set of mental and behavioral tests both before and after a tanning session. Those who were labeled as having an addiction strongly believed in the physical and mood-boosting benefits they experienced after a tanning session. They were convinced it enhanced their appearance and attitude, ultimately making them feel better about themselves. However, once that feeling faded, the tanning bed users showed signs of depression.”When talking to clients about the side effects of sun exposure (fine lines, hyperpigmentation, and so on), it could be helpful to also suggest alternative ways for them to release endorphins without putting themselves at risk. Exercise, meditation, massage treatments, adequate sleep, and consuming protein-rich foods are all positive examples. And, spray tanning can be another great conversation to have with clients who want to keep their darker tone, but in a healthy way. To help your business with all things sun care, turn to our new Summertime Guide! We’re covering several topics, such as blue light’s effect on the skin, UVA versus UVB, sunscreen education, chemical versus physical sunscreens, and much more.