How to achieve a quick suntan

A bronzed body is often regarded as a symbol of beauty and allure in Western culture, but the process of achieving it isn't always healthy. There are many methods to quickly get a sun-kissed glow (and some of them can even be good for your health). No matter what others say, sunbathing for a few hours is actually beneficial for your health and helps your body produce vitamin D. Tanning lotions or sprays are the best option for those worried about increasing the risk of skin cancer. Although tanning beds can give you a quick bronzed appearance, they use harmful UV lamps, which increase the risk of skin cancer drastically. Explore the following tanning methods and choose the one that suits you to achieve a beautiful sun-kissed complexion in no time.

Choose sunscreen with a low SPF rating. To achieve a quick tan, you'll need to apply sunscreen or oil with a low SPF rating, while still protecting your skin from intense sun exposure. You can choose from cream, aerosol sprays, oils, and mist sprays that contain SPF protection.

• It’s best to choose a product with an SPF rating between 4 and 15, depending on your skin’s tolerance to sunlight. If you already have a slightly tanned complexion, you can opt for a lower SPF. If this is your first time sunbathing this summer, it’s better to choose a product with SPF 15 to avoid sunburn.
• To achieve an even tan, you should opt for sprays or oils. These products, being liquid-based, are easy to apply evenly across your skin. After using the spray, you should still rub it in with your hands to ensure an even application.
• Popular sunscreen brands such as Biore, Sunplay, and Rohto can be found in most beauty stores or supermarkets.
• Use lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 to prevent your lips from tanning. Additionally, letting your lips become dry and chapped is not only unattractive but also painful.

Apply natural oils to your already tanned skin. If you prefer not to use store-bought products and already have a naturally tanned complexion, there are many natural oils that can enhance the tanning process and give you a radiant glow. Simply apply these oils to boost your tan before sun exposure, and then wash off with soap and water once you're done. Some natural oils include:

• Olive oil
• Coconut oil
• Hazelnut oil
• Avocado oil
• Wheat germ oil
• Sunflower oil
• Sesame oil
• Green tea extract

Rotate your body regularly. Just like when roasting chicken, you'll need to turn your body often to achieve an even tan. A key rule to remember is to rotate a quarter turn every thirty minutes. Start by tanning your back, then move to the left side of your body, followed by your front, and finally your right side. Be sure to change the position of your arms and legs frequently to avoid unsightly tan lines.

Sunbathe directly. As the sun moves across the sky, adjust your towel or sunbed to maintain direct exposure to the sun. If you don't want to sunbathe all day, you can still engage in outdoor activities, just choose minimal clothing so that your skin gets as much sun exposure as possible.

Sunbathe between 10 AM and 4 PM. While dermatologists usually advise against peak sunlight hours, if you're aiming for a fast tan, you should sunbathe when the sun's rays are at their strongest.

Don't wear clothes. If you want an even tan all over your body, there's no better option than to be completely unclothed and sunbathe. In Western countries, you can visit a nude beach or a private area in your backyard for this. However, this practice is not in line with cultural norms in Vietnam, so it is advisable to avoid doing so.

Use a towel or reflector to focus sunlight. This method, although long forgotten, effectively concentrates sunlight onto your body. There are many reflective products available that help you catch more sun. You can lie on a reflective towel or even use reflective sunscreen. Apply sunscreen on your waist and tilt your body at a 45-degree angle until sunlight is directed onto your skin.

Sunbathe on water. Water absorbs and reflects sunlight, so lying on or near water allows your body to receive more sun. Prepare some flotation devices to keep you afloat, lie on a long float, or sit on any floatation device on the water’s surface while soaking up the sun.

Reapply sunscreen and/or oil every two hours or after swimming. Make sure your skin is consistently protected by oil or sunscreen with a low SPF. Even with waterproof products, reapplication is crucial for safety.

Apply aloe vera-based moisturizer or high-quality body cream after sun exposure. To hydrate your skin and maintain your tan after sunbathing, it’s important to apply a good moisturizing cream.

Learn about tanning products. Tanning lotions contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a compound approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for adding color to the skin. This three-carbon sugar molecule reacts with amino acid groups in proteins on the skin, causing a chemical reaction called Maillard, similar to the browning process in bread or caramelizing sugar.

Choose your product. Tanning products come in a variety of forms including creams, lotions, gels, mousses, sprays, and oils. Popular beauty brands like Neutrogena, L'Oreal, Jergens, Aveeno, Bath & Body Works, Banana Boat, Clarins, and Lorac produce highly-rated tanning products that are often praised by beauty magazines and websites.

• Follow the product's instructions to apply the lotion or spray evenly across the skin, making sure to cover all areas thoroughly.
• Opt for a lotion that is breathable to avoid clogging your pores.

Wear gloves. Since you'll be applying the tanning product by hand, your hands will absorb more lotion or oil compared to the rest of your body. Purchase disposable medical gloves and wear them when applying the product to prevent your hands from becoming darker than the rest of your skin.

• Dispose of the gloves after use and wear a fresh pair each time you apply the tanning product.
• After applying the lotion to your entire body, apply a small amount of product to your hands to ensure they match the rest of your skin tone, without making them darker.

Apply the product evenly. One of the biggest challenges with tanning lotions is making sure you apply the product evenly across your body. You may need a friend to help you reach difficult areas, such as your back, to avoid patchy spots.

• Use circular motions to apply the lotion to prevent streaks from forming.
• Take your time when applying the product. Rushing could result in uneven patches or missed areas. Be patient and apply the product carefully.
• Don't forget to apply the product to harder-to-reach areas, including under your arms.

Apply tanning lotion daily until you achieve your desired shade. A single application in the morning should be enough to achieve the desired color, but you can apply it in the morning and evening for quicker results. Be mindful that tanning products can stain clothing and bedding.

Get to know the product. Just like self-tanning creams, spray tan products contain 3-carbon sugar dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which reacts with amino acids to add color to your skin. Spray tanning formulas are typically thicker but may require 1 to 3 layers to achieve the desired tan shade.

Choose the right product. Experts recommend selecting a spray tan product with a low DHA percentage, so you can gradually build up your tan. You can always make it darker, but once you've applied the spray, you can't revert to your original skin tone.

• Additionally, look for a product that contains erythrulose, a sugar compound found in raspberries. This compound will help your tan last longer and give your skin a healthy glow.
• If possible, opt for a product with a touch of green pigment. Green pigments help neutralize the orange tones that tanning sprays sometimes leave behind.

Determine how many layers of tanning spray you need. For fair skin, one layer of tanning spray should be enough to achieve a beautiful bronze hue. For those with naturally tanned or darker skin, you may need to apply several layers. Start slow and gradually build up to your desired shade. The key takeaway when using tanning spray is moderation. Avoid going overboard, as an overly artificial or orange-toned tan can be unappealing.

Exfoliate your skin before applying the spray. It's important to exfoliate any rough, dead skin cells from your body before using the tanning product. Choose an oil-free exfoliator with firm, round beads or fine particles to leave your skin smooth and radiant. Use a loofah or a towel during your shower to exfoliate your skin effectively.

Visit a salon that offers tanning services or invite a technician to your home. Unlike self-tanning creams, you’ll need a skilled professional to apply the spray all over your body. You can visit a salon with a spray tan booth or hire a technician to spray you in the comfort of your own bathroom. However, the first option is more cost-effective.

Touch up your tan after one or two weeks. Depending on the longevity of the product and your natural skin tone, the spray tan will last anywhere from 5 to 10 days. Apply a moisturizer daily to prolong the color. To maintain a healthy, bronzed glow, it's best to refresh the tan when you notice it starting to fade.

Understand how tanning beds work. Tanning beds use ultraviolet (UV) lamps that emit UV radiation similar to the sun. However, tanning beds are believed to increase the risk of skin cancer. Dermatologists strongly advise against using them. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a quick tan, this method is one of the fastest and most effective options.

Wear protective goggles. It's crucial to wear goggles designed specifically for tanning bed use. You can either buy or rent them at the salon that offers tanning services.

Avoid using tanning accelerators that contain tyrosine. Tyrosine is an amino acid that the body uses to produce melanin, the pigment responsible for darkening the skin. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved tyrosine, and its effectiveness remains unproven.

Choose the right tanning duration. If it's your first time tanning, start with a shorter exposure time of around 8 minutes. Most people use tanning beds for 8 to 20 minutes, with an average time of about 12 minutes. If you have fair skin, you should tan for a shorter period compared to those with darker or already tanned skin.

• Undress and step into the tanning bed. Close the tanning bed cover securely. Find the button to start the tanning lights.
• The tanning bed is equipped with a timer that will automatically turn off once the session is complete. You should enter the bed as soon as the timer starts running.

• Using tanning beds is associated with an increased risk of developing skin cancer. It’s best to avoid harmful UV rays whenever possible.
• Avoid overdoing it. Attempting to tan too quickly can result in an artificial look, sometimes even turning your skin an orange hue.
• Self-tanning sprays can clog pores, potentially leading to wrinkles on the skin's surface.