Dainty Hooligan Summer Report: Top 5 Ways To Get A Tan

Ah yes, summer is here in full force! A habit I'm sure a lot of us are used to getting into this time of year is tanning. While we love a good bronzed bod ourselves, we began to wonder what the benefits and risks of various ways of tanning can be. It's true, attaining that tan in any aspect without enough self control can be dangerous to your health. But remember, all things in moderation! Here is a list of pros and cons of some of the ways to get that summer glow.

1. Worship the sun in all it's glory! That means laying out with a good layer of SPF sunscreen and tanning oil slathered all over to protect yourself while you bake outside under the sun.
Pros: Exposing yourself to the sun like this is a great way to get that tan naturally and produce some much needed vitamin D.
Cons: The only real con to this way of tanning can occur if you don't apply any SPF to avoid the risk of skin cancer. A recommended one hour of tanning this way is recommend as well to avoid over exposure to the sun.

2. Spray Tanning. Spray tanning involves standing in a booth while someone sprays a fine mist on all over you until your a shade or two darker.
Pros: It's a time saver! Most people love how quick and easy this process of getting a tan can be. Others like how even and mess free the tan can look as opposed to over the counter creams and lotions.
Cons: Spray tanning can be relatively expensive, per tan. Also it is not a FDA approved process and may cause damage to your body if ingested through the nose and mouth.

3. Lotions and Creams. You've seen or tried those over the counter products, I'm sure!
Pros: Buying a tan in a tube can be inexpensive and UV free since you're not required to spend time in the sun. 
Cons: It can be a mess and leave your tan looking uneven and streaky. To help in avoiding this, make sure you exfoliate and get rid of dead skin cells ahead of time. 

4. Tanning pills. Just don't! These pills contain a chemical dye that can turn your skin orange and damage your liver over time. It's not worth the risk!

5. Tanning Beds. The good ol' fake'n'bake.
Pros: Since tanning beds are basically simulating the sun via UV lights, a benefit of tanning beds can be that they help your body produce vitamin D.
Cons: Tanning beds are linked to an increase of skin and eye cancer rates in the US. Using tanning beds before the age of 30 increases your risk of developing skin cancer by 75%. Bake in the bed at your own risk!

So there you have it! Protect yourself, read labels, read more information online, and be smart while you get beautifully darker!

Dainty Hooligan Blog Post: Defend Yourself! Self Defense For Women

These days, you see news reports of women getting robbed or physically assaulted in public areas and in private areas as well. For women in college, there are some rather scary numbers that you need to pay attention to. According to Sarah Lawerence College, the following statistics of such assaults are true for women in colleges and universities:

Sexual Assault and College Campuses - Statistics

The following statistics were compiled by the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault

• At least 1 in 4 college women will be the victim of a sexual assault during her academic career. Hirsch, Kathleen (1990)”Fraternities of Fear: Gang Rape, Male Bonding, and the Silencing of Women.” Ms., 1(2) 52-56.
• At least 80% of all sexual assaults are committed by an acquaintance of the victim. Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2001.
• 48.8% of college women who were victims of attacks that met the study’s definition of rape did not consider what happened to them rape. Bureau of Justice Stats. “Sexual Victimization of Collegiate Women” 2000, US DOJ.
• More than 70% of rape victims knew their attackers, compared to about half of all violent crime victims.Dennison, Callie. Criminal Victimization 1998. Bureau of Justice Stats, DOJ.
• There are 35.3 incidents of sexual assault per 1,000 female students on a campus as recorded over a 6.91 month period (the academic year of ‘96 – ’97) as reported in the 2000 DOJ Bureau of Justice Statistics report “The Sexual Victimization of College Women.”
• On average, at least 50% of college students’ sexual assaults are associated with alcohol use Abbey et al., 1996a, 1998; Copenhaver and Grauerholz, 1991; Harrington and Leitenberg, 1994; Presley et al., 199). Koss (1988),Within the study’s nationally represented sample of college students the results found that 74% of perpetrators and 55% of rape victims had been drinking alcohol prior to the assault.
• In a survey of high school students, 56% of girls and 76% of boys [some of whom may be incoming college freshmen] believed forced sex was acceptable under some circumstances. Acquaintance Rape: The Hidden Crime, 1991.

These numbers are staggering to say the least, but being prepared to defend yourself if you're in one of these terrible situations is essential. We recommend picking up some self defense training! Google some info on local self defense classes specifically for women or perhaps find out if a self defense class is offered at your school. Either way, education is key! Below you'll find a short clip offering some tips for women interested in self defense. Although these tips are great, we still think taking some real training would be most beneficial. So grab some of your girlfriends, your sister, your mom, or go solo and sign up for some classes!