Sunning Yourself
Tan before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. to avoid a sunburn. The sun is the most powerful from mid-morning to late afternoon. While this might sound like the perfect time to tan, it’s too risky because your skin may burn. Instead, sun yourself in the early morning or late afternoon for the perfect tan. For instance, plan to go out at 9:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m.
Choose a spot with the least amount of cloud coverage. About 90% of the sun’s rays penetrate the clouds, so you should have no problem tanning. However, you’ll get more rays if you pick a spot with minimal cloud coverage. Look for the brightest area you can find. Additionally, stay away from shadows cast by trees, buildings, and fences. Check the sky to see if any sunlight is penetrating the clouds. Additionally, look for shadows on the ground. If you see a shadow, move to another spot.
Apply an outdoor tanning lotion or oil if you’re using one. Tanning lotions help promote a bronzed look and may help you tan faster. It’ll also keep your skin moisturized. Look for a lotion that’s labeled for use on your skin tone. Then, massage the tanning lotion into your skin before you tan. Lotion and oil work the same. However, you might prefer an oil if your skin tends to be dry because it's more moisturizing. Read and follow the directions on the label so you know you’re using your product correctly. Some tanning lotions have a low SPF, such as an SPF 8, that can help protect your skin as it tans. These are a great option because they’ll help you get the darker look you want with less skin damage. Using an indoor tanning lotion outdoors may increase your risk of skin cancer because these lotions are designed to enhance UV rays. Keep in mind that there are more UV rays outdoors than in a tanning bed even on a cloudy day. Additionally, don't use baby oil because it can tan your skin too quickly and cause damage.Tip: It’s best to wear a broad spectrum SPF 15 sunscreen even while you’re tanning. It will take you longer to get darker skin, but it’ll also protect your skin from damage. If you want a faster tan, look for a sunblock that just protects against UVB rays, since UVA rays are responsible for tanning.
Stretch out on a towel or lounge chair. You can start on your stomach or your back, depending on your preference. Elongate your body so that you’re less likely to have uneven patches. Additionally, spread out your arms and legs so they get maximum sun exposure. If you’re bent at an angle or your arms are flat against your body, you’ll have areas of skin that remain pale.
Rotate your body so you tan evenly. Shift your arms and legs to ensure that each side is getting sun. Additionally, turn onto your sides and back to sun those areas, as well. Make sure your front and back each get the same amount of sun. For instance, tan your front first, then turn onto your left side. Next, tan your back, followed by turning onto your right side.
Tan for 5-10 minutes on each side so you tan evenly. How long you can lay out will depend on how dark your skin naturally is. Set a timer so that you don’t tan for too long. Then, turn as soon as the timer dings. If you have pale or light skin, stick to 5 minutes per side for a total of 20 minutes tanning. For medium or dark skin, 10 minutes per side should be okay. This means you'll tan for a total of 40 minutes. If you wear sunscreen, you can increase how long you’re outside. With an SPF 15 sunscreen, you can tan for about an hour total. This applies to most skin tones, aside from very pale skin that burns easily.Tip: Keep in mind that SPF 15 sunscreen lets you stay in the sun without burning 15 times as long as normal. That means that if you normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, you could safely stay outside for a total of 150 minutes.
Build up your color by tanning every day for short periods of time. It's best to slowly build up your tan so that your skin is even and doesn't burn. While you're working on your tan, it's safe to go out every day as long as you don't stay out longer than about 20-30 minutes for light skin or 30-60 minutes for medium or dark skin. After you reach your desired shade, you can maintain your glow by tanning 2-3 times per week. Keep your tanning sessions the same length as when you were building your tan.
Caring for Your Skin after Tanning
Rinse off in the shower to remove lotion, sweat, and grime. If you're feeling sticky, rinse off in a cool or warm shower right after you tan. Use a mild soap or body wash to cleanse away any lotion, sweat, or dirt that’s stuck on your skin. After you rinse off the soap, pat yourself dry with a clean towel. Don’t take hot showers immediately after you tan because they can dry out your skin. It’s best to avoid exfoliating after you tan because it will remove the top layer of skin, making your skin appear lighter.
Apply moisturizer to your skin after tanning to prevent dry skin. Squeeze a quarter-sized amount of lotion onto your hand, then slather it over your body. Massage the lotion into your skin to help it absorb. Add more lotion to your palm when necessary. Pick a thicker moisturizer, like a cream. Look for one that has natural oils, shea butter, or cocoa butter for added moisture. Alternatively, try a lotion that's made to be used after sun exposure. However, avoid petroleum jelly because it can lock in heat. Hydrated skin looks healthy and supple.
Drink 10 to 12 cups (2.4 to 2.8 L) of water daily to stay hydrated. Tanning can dry out your skin, but water rehydrates you from the inside. Make sure you’re drinking extra water every day while you’re tanning. This will help keep your skin looking youthful and hydrated. If you’re also very active, you may need more water. If you’re not sure how much water to drink, talk to your doctor for the best advice.
Extend your tan by taking cool showers and moisturizing. Cool showers and moisturizer will keep your skin moist, which reduces flaking and peeling. When you shower, set the water on cool and keep it short. Then, apply an even layer of moisturizer over your entire body. Consider using an illuminating lotion in the morning to boost your glow. These work like regular lotions but leave your skin looking shiny. You can find an illuminating lotion at your favorite beauty supply store or online.
Care for a mild sunburn with a cool towel and aloe vera. If your skin is looking a little red, cool it down with a cool towel or a cool shower. Then, apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel over the sunburn to replenish lost moisture and help it heal faster. Additionally, drink a lot of water to help rehydrate your skin. While your skin is healing, stay out of the sun to prevent further damage. If your sunburn hurts, take over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). Just check with your doctor first.
Reducing the Risk of Sun Damage
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays. Choose a pair of sunglasses that blocks UV rays. Put them on before tanning and while you’re spending time outdoors. This will protect you from vision loss and eye damage. To prevent tan lines from your sunglasses, as well as signs of aging, wear SPF 30 sunscreen on your face and use a self-tanning cream to darken your face. If you prefer a natural tan on your face. Remove your sunglasses and close your eyes when you're tanning your front side. However, keep in mind that your eyelids only block about 25% of UV rays and you can get skin cancer on your eyelids. As a bonus, you’ll also reduce your risk of wrinkles from squinting. Think of how cute you’ll look sunning yourself with the perfect pair of shades!
Apply a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen when you aren’t tanning. Your tan is going to be ruined if you end up with a sunburn. Plus, excessive sun exposure is damaging to your skin. To protect yourself, apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before you go out. Then, reapply it as often as recommended on the bottle, which is typically every 2 hours. You’ll need to reapply your sunscreen every hour if you’re swimming or sweating a lot. Make sure you dry off your skin with a towel before you put on more sunscreen so that it soaks into your skin.Did You Know? You need to apply about a shot glass worth of sunscreen over your entire body to ensure you’re fully protected.
Wear a hat and clothing to help protect your skin. Choose a hat with a brim, like a floppy hat or bucket hat. This protects both your scalp and your face. Additionally, wear loose clothing that covers as much skin as possible, like long-sleeves or pants. If it's too hot to wear this, choose lightweight clothing that covers as much of your body as is comfortable. For instance, wear a cover up over your bathing suit, along with a floppy hat.
Take breaks in the shade when spending the day outdoors even if it's cloudy. While sunscreen helps you stay outside longer with less skin damage, it’s still wise to avoid being in the sun all day. Instead, move to the shade to take breaks from the sun. This is especially important while the sun is at its peak from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For instance, relax under a big umbrella or sit under a tree. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat will also help you protect your face.
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