University of Northern Iowa health expert warns against getting too many rays. Joan Thompson says many people feel a tan makes them look better — but she says tanning can do damage to your skin. You might be looking forward to spending more time in the sun as the weather gets warmer, but a She says she doesn’t believe there is such a thing as a safe tan, though she say the spray on tanning products are probably the closest thing. Thompson says some people think that using a tanning bed is better than being out in the sun — but she says that’s not true. She says when you’re talking about ultraviolet rays from the sun or a tanning salon — both cause damage and are not safe. Thompson says tanning beds can give you a false sense of security. She says people go to tanning beds to get a “base tan” thinking that they won’t get burnt. But, she says people then tend to spend more time out in the sun and that puts them more at risk. Thompson says you should follow the American Cancer Society guidelines for using sunblock whenever you’re going out into the sun. She says those guidelines say to avoid exposure to the sun from 10 a-m until four p-m, wear protective clothes, such as a broad brimmed hat. She says you should use sunscreen on exposed skin areas such as your arms. Thompson says you should be sure to wear the right amount of sunscreen. She says one teaspoon of sunscreen is needed for the head and neck and about two tablespoons for the rest of the body. Thompson says you should re-apply the sunscreen often to ensure you’re properly protected. And she says you can still get sunburned on cool and cloudy days as the sun moves in and out of the clouds.