Alternatives to summer beauty rituals reduce damage

As warmer weather approaches, the urge to update wardrobes and body images becomes overwhelming, especially for those looking forward to a week on the beach during Spring Break.

While the easiest, go-to ways to change hairstyles, bronze up and pamper yourself might produce the results you want, unwanted damage could cause more stress than the pressures of summer beauty rituals.

Tanning beds are usually packed starting in March, and while, according to Medi-Smart.com, nearly half of American women under the age of 25 have used an indoor tanning bed in the last year, they can cause problems for decades to come. It might be the most trustworthy and efficient way to bump-up your skin tone a few shades, but aside from obvious, well researched risks of getting skin cancer, indoor tanning is worse than sun bathing when it comes to prematurely aging your skin.

Personally, I'm not patient enough to tan in a bed on a regular basis and have become a fan of UV-free tanning at local salons. Initially, I was worried about how it would turn out, having seen and heard horror stories of brides getting a spray-tan before their wedding and having to rub toothpaste all over their bodies to get it off.

I tested this alternative at Planet Beach; they have a Mystic Tan booth and a membership to their spa includes supplies and use of this machine. While I recommend purchasing an extra additive that drastically lengthens your spray tan and helps it fade 100 percent evenly, the basic session works great as well.

The entire process takes less than five minutes and the actual spraying lasts for less than a minute and a half. It's entirely automated and results in an even, natural-looking tan. I was a little confused at first, as I noticed no difference upon exiting the booth, but a spa coordinator informed me I wouldn't see results for a few hours, with full color in 24 hours. I was definitely pleased with my experience and enjoy a spray tan once a week during the summer to keep up a great glow, satisfied that the condition of my skin isn't changing with its color.

One secret to a strong and even tan, however you decide to achieve it, is to exfoliate beforehand. According to an article in Fitness Magazine, this step will keep a tan even and lasting longer by removing excess dead skin cells that "steal" rays or lotions' tanning agent, only to be removed that same day.

Another popular summer change comes with updating hair that may have dulled, dried out and need a new summer do. Highlighting or bleaching hair can instantly transform a look from winter to summer, but is extremely damaging. If you must dye your hair, use a henna or natural dye and take extra care to condition as often as possible.

There are products out there such as Sun In that can lighten your hair with sun exposure minus the damage and drying-out of your hair. Unfortunately, the results aren't as instant or drastic as coloring, but will give your hair a sun-kissed look. Many people also turn to lemon juice as a natural alternative to highlights.

Washing your hair, saturating it with lemon juice and then spending a fair amount of time in the sun after rinsing can bring out natural highlights. Using shampoo and conditioner especially for blonde hair can also help maintain those highlights while helping to combat the small amount of sun damage that can occur.

Teasing your hair for a night out can be washed out the next morning, but constant stripping and hairspray application can thin and break your hair beyond repair. Using a root lifter like Catwalk's Root Boost or a volumizing mousse can provide the same "umph" without the "argh" of getting it out in the morning.

Some other tips to safely prepare your body for the summer include using olive oil to soften cuticles instead of harsh chemicals and using sunscreen-even at 15 SPF on at least your face to reduce sun damage. Sunscreen can be your best friend, especially if you want to use a bronzer. Apply bronzer before you put on sunscreen. The lotion will help blend the bronzer and make your look less caked-on.

Summer updates can take a toll on hair, skin and nails, but putting a little extra effort and patience into changing things up can make it easier to tweak your style for years down the road.

Student Body Vice President Wayne Stoskopf, senior in agribusiness and speech, spoke at the meeting about activity from the Calendar Committee.

"The Board of Regents lowered the amount of required institutional days, so we were just exploring the options of reducing the spring semester by two days," Stoskopf said.

He said that no formal suggestions have been made yet, but they are considering adding two days to winter break and beginning the spring semester following Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Student Body President Dalton Henry, senior in agricultural economics, agricultural communications and journalism, said that there will soon be more parking available for residents of Marlatt and Goodnow Halls. "The Parking Council reallocated roughly 160 stalls north of St. Isidore's Catholic Center," Henry said. "We're hoping to make this change in the next month or so."

Henry said the parking would reducing the walking distance by half. Currently, students who do not have enough credits to park near the halls must park behind Weber Hall across campus.

- Aubree Casper is a junior in life sciences. Please send comments to edge@spub.ksu.edu.