How to Tan Without Burning

Laying in the sun outdoors can be an extremely unpleasant and unhealthy experience when not conducted in the proper manner. A nice glowing sun kissed tan can be achieve at a safer level by knowing how to tan without the all the risk of burning.

• Begin prepping the skin for tanning a few weeks before time. Do a thorough job of exfoliating the skin. Dry, dead skin does not tan well and just sheds. Any dry skin that tans will be lost more quickly and can cause problems such as blotchy, uneven tans and skin dandruff. Also begin using a daily moisturizer. It might be a good idea to use it in the morning and at night. Moisturized skin is an essential key to maintaining a long lasting tan. If moisturizer with sunless tanner is used, please remember that a sunless tan does not protect from the damage of the sun and the skin will still burn as normal skin. Do not moisturize directly before tanning. Certain lotions can block SPF products from working correctly.

• A misconception about tanning is that SPF sun screen products will keep the skin from tanning. This is not true. Skin will continue to tan when SPF products are being used, just at a safer rate. To tan outdoors safely, select what level of SPF to use. This can be determined by taking the amount of minutes it usually takes to burn outdoors and multiplying it by the level of SPF. If it takes a person 15 minutes of direct sunlight to burn and the product she is using is a SPF of 10, this product will protect her for 150 minutes.

  This doesn’t necessarily mean one should stay outdoors in the direct sunlight for 150 minutes for tanning. To develop a long lasting tan the skin should not be over exposed. It’s best to gradually work the exposure over time.

  An indoor tanning product can be used, if used in conjunction with a sun screen. Please refrain from using tingle lotion outdoors.

• Start tanning out in the direct sunlight for a safe amount of time. A good number to start with is 10 or 15 minutes. Be sure to put the sun screen on directly before tanning. To achieve an even tan be sure to rotate the body during tanning. Bring a timer and divide the time. Lay on one side for ½ of the time and the other side for the remaining time. It’s also to use a timer so the skin is not exposed to the sun for longer than anticipated or in the event that someone falls asleep.

  Gradually over time increase the amount of time the skin is exposed to direct sunlight by a few minutes. Only increase the time when the skin has showed no signs of burning. If the skin does become a bit red refrain from tanning for several days and until all the red has went away. If tanning is resumed, decrease the time allowed for tanning and increase at a slower pace.

Warnings and precautions:

Any exposure to UV rays, indoor or outdoor increase the chances of developing skin cancer and premature again. Burning significantly increases these chances. Never expose burnt or red skin to direct sunlight. Allow the skin to heal. The scalp even sunburns and all sun block products should be reapplied after being in the water, even if waterproof.