Tanning is not without risks, but many people tan for aesthetic reasons or because it’s a fun hobby.
You can reduce the risk of sunburn by learning how to tan fast. Learn how long it takes to get a tan and how to minimize the risks.
How much time does it take for you to get a tan outdoors?
If you don’t wear sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factors), you can burn or tan within 10 minutes. The majority of people will begin to tan in a matter of hours.
You may not notice a tan immediately. The skin can take a while to produce melaninTrustedSource in response to exposure to the sun. The skin’s color will eventually change.
The time it takes to tan outdoors depends on your skin type and the weather conditions. Imagine two people on the beach, one with lighter skin and the other with darker skin. The lighter-skinned individual may burn, while the darker-skinned individual tans.
According to the American Academy Of Dermatology, skin color is an important indicator of whether or not a person will tan or burn.
Factors affecting tanning
Many factors will affect the time it takes for a person to tan. Some elements are personal, while others are influenced by the weather conditions in which you are sunbathing. Six factors influence the tanning process:
At higher altitudes, the sun’s rays are more intense.
The darker the skin, the faster it tans. It may cause them to tan faster because the sun causes cells called melanocytes, which make skin darker, to produce more melanin.
In humid climates, the air is more moist. This can prevent a tan from fading or may speed up tanning.
The sun’s angle, time of day, and even the angle of sunlight are essential. Living near the equator makes you more likely to burn or tan.
The longer you spend in direct sunlight without taking a break to rest under shade, the greater your risk of burning or tanning.
The SPF of sunscreen can affect how much you tan. And the higher the SPF is, the longer it will take you to start burning. An SPF of 30, for example, protects the skin 30 times better than not wearing any protection.
Tips for a faster tan
Learn How to Tan Faster to reduce your time in the sun.
Remember that a “Base Tan” does not reduce your riskTrustedSource for sunburn or any other type of skin damage. In addition, sunless tanning pills are not safe, according to the Mayo Clinic and the Food and Drug AdministrationTrusted Source.
Exfoliate before tanning so your tan doesn’t flake off.
Use at least one ounce of SFP30. This is low enough to still tan but not burn quickly.
Change positions often to avoid burning one body part.
You can darken your skin by eating foods containing beta-carotene, such as carrots.
Use tomato sauceTrusted Source, and watermelon to help fight UV rays.
The best time to tan is between noon and three p.m. when UV radiation is most substantial. This time of day can be the most damaging to your skin. This is a time to be cautious.
Do you need clarification on which skin care products live up to the hype? You are not alone. Discover which products you should use or skip.
A note on tanning beds
Tanning beds can be harmful. They should not be used. A single indoor tanning session increases the risk of melanoma development by up to 20%.
Tanning beds expose the skin to high levels of UVA rays linked to cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (IARC) categorizes tanning beds as cancerous.
Use a bronzing cream containing DHATrustedSource to achieve a tan appearance.
Can a tan last forever?
The skin exfoliates naturally over time, so a tan will never be permanent. The tanned area will flake off. New cells replace the skin, and the old skin falls off.
You may notice that someone who appears “permanently tanned” has darker skin, is using a tanning lotion, spray tan, or regularly goes out in the sun.
It is essential to know that the Mayo Clinic and Food and Drug Administration have explicitly stated that sunless tanner pillsTrusted sources do not pose any danger. It is best to avoid them.
A note on tanning beds
Booths and tanning beds are particularly unsafe.
UVA is three times stronger in tanning beds than in sunlight. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified tanning beds as carcinogenic. Tanning booths and beds should be avoided.
How do you keep a tan looking good
You can extend the life of a tan by preventing it from fading.
Exfoliate before you go in the sun, or get a spray tan. This will prevent skin from flaking and give spray tans a smooth base to adhere on.
Take lukewarm showers or cool ones. Hot water can dehydrate the skin and cause it to fade faster.
Keep your skin moisturized. Your body will exfoliate less if you have hydrated skin. You can use a natural oil to moisturize your skin, such as Coconut or Avocado oil.
Use a tan prolonger or a tanning cream to enhance your tan. Some tan prolongers stimulate melanin production.
Do you need clarification on which skin care products live up to the hype? You are not alone. Discover which products you should use or skip.
Takeaway
The length of time your tan will last depends on whether it was achieved by sunbathing or a spray tan in a salon. No tan can last forever, but with the proper care, you can prolong its life by a few extra days.
Generally, a tan lasts 7-10 days before the skin begins to exfoliate. You can extend the life of your tan if you use a tanning extender and exfoliate before tanning.
