FAQs
“Similarly, you'd think that someone who went to the beach every day would tan more than someone who went every second day,” says Levy. However, to their surprise, they found that the mice that tanned the most were those exposed to UV light every second day.
Is it better to go tanning every other day? ›
Most indoor tanning experts recommend three sessions per week until a tan develops, then two sessions per week after that to keep the tan. To avoid skin damage, wait at least 48 hours between tanning sessions.
Why does my skin get tan so easily? ›
Why do I tan so easily? If you have a darker skin tone (more melanin), you tend to tan easily. The melanin (brown pigment) containing melanocytes spread out across the sun-exposed skin to cover and protect the skin from more damage.
How long do you have to sit in the sun to get tan? ›
Takeaway. Most people will tan within 1 to 2 hours in the sun. It's important to remember that both burns and tans may take a while to set in, so if you don't see color immediately, it doesn't mean you're not getting any color or should use lower SPF. Any type of tanning has risks, including skin cancer.
Why does the skin appear tanned or darker after spending time in the sun? ›
UVA radiation is what makes people tan. UVA rays penetrate to the lower layers of the epidermis, where they trigger cells called melanocytes (pronounced: mel-AN-oh-sites) to produce melanin. Melanin is the brown pigment that causes tanning. Melanin is the body's way of protecting skin from burning.
How many days a week should you go tanning? ›
Moderate tanning of 2-3 sessions a week is OK for everyone else but ensure you rest the skin for a minimum of 24 hours between each session and at least 48 hours for skin type 2. The European Standard advises not to exceed 60 sessions per annum.
How many times a week should you tan outside? ›
After you have reached your desired darkness, 2 to 3 sessions per week should be enough to maintain your new tan. We recommend tanning every other day to avoid overexposure.
Will 30 minutes in the sun make you tan? ›
Is 30 minutes a day enough to tan? It depends on your skin type. Those with fair skin likely need a bit longer, while people with darker skin may only require 15-20 minutes daily. Start slow and gently build UV skin tolerance over multiple sessions for the best color development.
What is the fastest way to tan in the sun? ›
How to get a tan faster
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30. ...
- Change positions frequently. ...
- Eat foods that contain beta carotene. ...
- Try using oils with naturally occurring SPF. ...
- Don't stay outside for longer than your skin can create melanin. ...
- Eat lycopene-rich foods. ...
- Choose your tanning time wisely.
What is the best time of the day to tan? ›
If you want to tan in the least harmful way, we recommend you to get in the sun for 20 minutes every 3 hours. Use the morning sun before 10 o'clock, and afternoon sun, after 4 o'clock. This way you will get a perfect and healthy tan!
Your skin can start tanning immediately after exposure to UV light however if you're after a deeper and darker tan – that's likely going to take 2-3 days to get noticeable. You can, however, speed up this process using a tan accelerator like Base Tan.
Why did I tan when I was younger but not anymore? ›
The number of functional melanocytes (the cells that produce melanin) decreases with age. On the other hand the melanocytes situated on sun exposed areas of your body produce more efficiently melanin over the time.
Why does tanning make you look old? ›
Wrinkle formation results from exposure to ultraviolet rays, which tend to dry up the skin. To prevent your skin from losing moisture and collagen, make sure that you moisturize your entire body before and after entering the tanning beds.
Should you skip a day between tanning? ›
Your skin needs time to utilise UV exposure from the sun as well as from the tanning device. The melanocytes in your skin namely need time to produce melanin which gives your skin that tan colour. Thus, keep intervals of 48 hours between sessions.
How many times do I need to go tanning to see results? ›
Depending on your skin color, in general the average person can develop a base tan in 3-5 sessions which then can be maintained with regular sunbed use. Two sessions a week should be enough to further deepen your tan in a safe and gentle manner.
How to maximize tanning bed results? ›
Master Tanning 101: How To Take Your Tanning To The Next Level
- Shower and Exfoliate.
- Avoid lotions, deodorant, makeup or oil based based products and perfume.
- Shave 24 hours before appointment.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing.
- Avoid water or excessive sweating for 4-6 hours.
What is a good tanning bed schedule? ›
To build a base tan safely, start with 2-3 tanning sessions per week, with at least 48 hours between each one to give your skin time to recover and do its thing. As your tan develops, you can start to space out your sessions a bit more, maybe hitting the bed once or twice a week to maintain your glow.