How to Get a Tan

Our skin often looks better with a subtle tan—it adds warmth, hides imperfections, and makes colorful outfits pop. However, achieving the perfect tan is no simple task—you might worry about the harmful effects of UV rays, the awkward redness from sunburn, or uneven tan lines. Nevertheless, with some knowledge and careful planning, you can overcome these hurdles and achieve the tan you desire. Follow these simple steps to achieve a glowing, sun-kissed skin in no time!

Select a UV Source. To get a tan from ultraviolet rays, nothing beats the familiar sunlight. However, if the weather isn't ideal, tanning beds are also an effective alternative, a year-round option to achieve a glowing tan.

• Keep it moderate—beautiful skin can turn leathery if you stay in the "oven" too long.

Moisturize your skin. Proper hydration will give your skin a more radiant tan compared to dry, rough skin. Before preparing for a glowing tan, consider the following steps:

• While showering, exfoliate dead, rough skin by gently scrubbing with a hard towel, loofah, or exfoliating soap.
• Moisturize your skin with a lotion containing PCA salt. This naturally occurring component helps maintain healthy skin and absorbs moisture from the air.
• Apply sunscreen with an SPF that suits your skin type. If you have fair skin, choose a sunscreen with a higher SPF compared to someone with darker skin. Regardless of your skin type or skincare routine, always use sunscreen with at least SPF 15.
• If you plan on swimming, ensure your sunscreen is water-resistant or reapply it after getting out of the water. You can also reapply sunscreen as directed on the product packaging—usually every few hours.

Apply sunscreen while sunbathing! If you’re only sitting on the beach and sunbathing for an hour, use a product with an SPF between 4 and 15, depending on your skin tone and how well you've taken care of your skin.

• Even without sunscreen, UVA and UVB rays can still damage your skin, even if you don't experience sunburn!
• Don’t forget to use lip balm with SPF protection. Ideally, apply sunscreen in the shade and let it absorb into your skin for about 20-25 minutes before heading into the sun. Reapply sunscreen when necessary, especially if swimming or if your sunscreen isn’t water-resistant. Reapply every few hours as recommended on the packaging.
• If you notice your skin turning red, stop sunbathing immediately—you’ve likely sunburned, and continuing to expose your skin will worsen the burn and increase the risk of severe damage.

Choose the right clothing while sunbathing. To avoid uneven tan lines, opt for the swimsuit you’ll wear when swimming. Wearing the same swimsuit helps you show off a smooth, flawless tan.

• Alternatively, consider going without a swimsuit if possible. A flawless tan is much more appealing than one with uneven tan lines.

Find the perfect spot for sunbathing. You can sunbathe in your backyard, at the beach, or any other sunny location. All you need is a tanning lotion, some water, and a lounge chair or towel.

• Place your chair or towel in a spot where the sunlight can directly reach you.

Keep moving while sunbathing. Think of it like a "rotisserie chicken." To achieve an even, beautiful tan, you must continuously move. Sunbathe on your front, back, sides, and other areas like under your arms where sunlight can't naturally reach. You could also dedicate one day to tanning your front and another for your back.

• If you don’t want to lie down all day but still want a beautiful tan, consider taking brisk walks or just a leisurely stroll. This will not only help you get more sun exposure for a great tan but also help you slim down and get fit. It’s a win-win!

Protect your eyes. Your eyes can also get sunburned. However, when sunbathing, it's best to wear a hat or simply close your eyes instead of wearing sunglasses. The direct sunlight hitting the optic nerves stimulates the anterior hypothalamus, leading to the production of melanin, which gives your skin a deeper tan.

Stay hydrated! Be sure to drink plenty of water. Occasionally, you can dive into the pool to cool down. Don’t worry, this won’t significantly affect your tanning process. Just don’t forget to reapply sunscreen afterward.

Moisturize your skin after sunbathing. Use a lotion with aloe vera extract to soothe and hydrate your skin. This will help keep your skin healthy and prevent it from becoming dry and peeling due to sun exposure.

Skip sunbathing. If you have fair skin and are prone to sunburns or if you want to reduce health risks, sunbathing or using a UV tanning bed is a poor choice. You won’t realize your skin is burnt until it has already been damaged and harmed.

Self-tanning your skin. Companies such as Neutrogena, L'Oreal, Victoria's Secret, and many others offer products to help you achieve a smooth, even tan.

• Follow the instructions to apply lotion or spray evenly onto your skin, ensuring full coverage. The best lotion should be breathable, meaning it won't clog your pores.
• You'll need a friend to help with applying the product on your back unless you have very long or flexible arms.

Addressing your limitations. Visit a salon offering tanning services and let professionals give you an even tan all over your body. In just a few minutes, they'll spray tanning products onto your skin expertly.

Read product reviews. Before spending your money, it's important to read reviews about the product and service—especially when using tanning sprays, as they may cause your skin to turn orange.

• Aloe vera can be used as a soothing after-sun care product to prevent sunburns or irritation.
• While tanning, make sure your sunglasses don't leave dark circles around your eyes.
• Focus on applying sunscreen generously to areas like your shoulders, face, ears, and legs, or places less exposed to sunlight.
• If you get sunburned, try using olive oil and iodine or 100% cocoa powder, and avoid the sun for a few days. This will help you achieve a beautiful tan quickly after recovery.
• Start sunbathing with short sessions, about 10 minutes each day for sensitive skin. If no issues arise, you can gradually extend the time. If redness or itching occurs, take a break from sun exposure for a few days.
• Don't use the same sunscreen as someone else or compare your skin to others. If you have fair skin and sunbathe with someone with darker skin, you'll need a higher SPF sunscreen and should limit your sun exposure.
• If you opt for artificial tanning products—usually safer and more natural-looking—choose those that don’t leave your skin orange.
• If it's your first time using a tanning service, don’t stay too long; ask the technician about recommended time limits.
• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and shave your legs before sunbathing; shaving afterward can result in white spots on your legs.
• Avoid using baby oil on your skin to try and tan faster, as it may cause sunburn.
• Don’t forget to apply lip balm to protect your lips.
• Remember to rotate your body while sunbathing to avoid creating uneven tan lines.

• Remember to drink plenty of water when sunbathing or after spending time outdoors. If your skin feels warm, try applying after-sun lotion to cool it down, as showering may cause pain if you've been sunburned.
• Be cautious when using tanning products, as there have been reports of cataracts in the eyes due to their use. This condition can potentially lead to blindness.
• Keep an eye on any moles and watch for any changes in their color or shape.
• If you feel extremely fatigued after sun exposure and have sunburn, you may be suffering from sun poisoning.
• Daily sunbathing is not recommended!
• Sunburn can vary in severity, ranging from mild to moderate. If you experience severe sunburn, it's best to consult a doctor.
• Prolonged exposure to the sun can be dangerous and may lead to heatstroke.
• Using tanning beds increases the risk of developing skin cancer.
• Excessive sun exposure or UV radiation can lead to skin cancer, with the most dangerous type being Melanoma. Therefore, using tanning sprays is safer. If you must tan and are not bothered by a slight orange hue, you will still be safe.