First, apply sunscreen. Then lie down in the sun. After about 45 minutes, add more sunscreen. People seem to look better when they have a little tan-this color adds a warm glow to the skin, covers scratches, and helps to help colorful clothes stand out. It can be a tough affair, getting the right tan tones-there are UV rays to worry about, weird oranges to avoid, and sun lines to consider. With a little prior knowledge and consideration, you can get past all the hurdles, and get the tan you desire-and we'll show you how. Follow these simple steps and get a golden glow in no time!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Fun Under the Sun
Step 1. Select your UV source
For ultraviolet tanning, nothing beats the good old fashioned sunshine. If your sky or the air doesn't allow it, tanning beds are also an effective, year-round alternative to keeping your skin slightly tan.
Keep everything under control-good looking skin can end up looking like animal skin if you stay in the "oven" for too long
Step 2. Hydrate your skin
Well-hydrated skin will tan better than dusty and dry skin. Before you prepare your skin for a good tan, do the following:
- In the shower, exfoliate dry, dead epidermal cells by gently scrubbing with a rough cloth, loofah, or exfoliating soap.
- Moisturize your skin with a lotion containing sodium PCA. It is a naturally occurring component of human skin that helps to become a healthy epidermis, and works by drawing moisture from the air.
- Wear sunscreen with the right level for your skin. If you have light skin, use a lotion with a higher SPF value than if you have darker skin. No matter what your skin type or how much foundation you have built, always use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15.
- If you're going to be in the water, make sure your sunscreen is waterproof, or put it back on when you get out of the water. Otherwise, reapply sunscreen as directed on the label-usually every two hours.
Step 3. Wear sunscreen when you sunbathe
If you're just going to be sitting on the beach and sunbathing for 1 hour wear SPF 4-15, depending on what your skin tone is and how much foundation you've built.
- If you don't use sunscreen when you're in the sun, UVA and UVB rays can damage your skin, even if you don't burn!
- Use a lip balm with sunscreen. Ideally, put your sunscreen in the shade, and let it dry for 20-25 minutes before you head out in the sun. Reapply as needed if you are swimming and the sunscreen is not waterproof, or every two hours as directed on the label.
- If you notice any redness forming on your skin, avoid the sun-you've been burned, and continuing to sunbathe will only deepen the burn and increase your risk of serious damage.
Step 4. (Don't) dress for success
Unless you want mixed sun lines, wear a swimsuit that you would wear when you swim! Wearing the same bathing suit will give you a soft and radiant tan that flows from your skin to your swimsuit.
Leave the bathing suit entirely if you can. One thing that's better than a few tan lines is no tan lines at all
Step 5. Find your place under the sun
You can sunbathe in your backyard, on the beach, or wherever the sun is shining. All you need is suntanning lotion, water, and a beach bench or towel.
Position a bench or towel in the yard where the sun's rays will hit you directly
Step 6. Move when you sunbathe
Think "electric roast chicken." To get such good, thorough results, you have to keep moving. Front, back, sides, and places where the sun usually can't shine-like the armpits. Or spend a day on your back and a day on your front.
If you don't want to lie down all day, but still want to sunbathe like that, another alternative is to go for a jog, or even a walk. This not only increases your chances of being exposed to the sun and improves your tan but also helps with a lean and toned body at the same time. Yummy
Step 7. Protect your eyes
Your eyes may also burn. For sunbathing, it's better to wear a hat or just close your eyes instead of wearing sunglasses. Bright light on your optic nerve stimulates the hypothalamus gland, which causes melanin production, thereby producing a deeper tan.
Step 8. Hydrate
Make sure you drink plenty of water. Jump into the pool to cool off now and then. Don't worry, it won't interfere with your tanning at least. Don't forget to reapply your sunscreen afterwards.
Step 9. After you sunbathe, moisten
Use an aloe-based skin lotion to soothe and moisturize your skin. This will keep your skin healthy and will prevent it from becoming chapped and dry from the sun.
Method 2 of 2: Wipe Your Ripe Skin
Step 1. Avoid the sun
If your skin is very sensitive, is prone to burning easily, or wants to minimize health risks, basking in the sun or a UV sunbed might be the wrong choice. You won't know you're on fire until you're burned and the damage has been done.
Step 2. Do it yourself
There are a variety of products from companies such as Neutrogena, L'Oreal, Victoria's Secret, and many more, which will give you a smooth and even tan.
- According to the instructions, apply lotion or spray evenly, keeping the skin somewhat coated. The best lotions are non-comedogenic, which means they won't clog your pores.
- Unless you have unusually long sleeves or are very flexible, you'll want to find a friend to help you cover your back.
Step 3. Let go of your problem
Visit a tanning salon, and let them fully tan. Within minutes, they will professionally apply a tanning spray all over your body.
Step 4. Read the label
Before you spend your money, read the various reviews available on products and services- beware of tanning sprays that can turn you orange.
Tips
- If you get burned make sure to use an Aloe Vera type lotion. It will heal the burn as well as moisturize your skin!
- Make sure you wear a protective lip balm too, because lip cancer can lurk!
- Concentrate on applying sun lotion more to the shoulders, face, ears, and feet, or places that have not been exposed to the sun.
- Aloe Vera can be used as a lotion after tanning and/or as something to soften and soothe burns.
- Aloe vera gel helps relieve sunburn, and helps heal faster.
- When you sunbathe, make sure your sunglasses don't leave any traces of circles around your eyes.
- Wear clothes that support your tan skin tone. If you don't have one, go for dark green, blue, and purple. If you have a medium color, use black or white to accent your tan. If you're exactly where you want to be, and it's very tan, use whatever color you want.
- Sensitive skin? Don't use baby oil… you'll get burned.
- Rubbing vinegar on the burn will dissipate the heat and make you feel better but it can make you smell funny. So don't do this right before going to a meeting, date, long trip stuck in a hot car with another, or right before being around other people.
- This takes time, so don't expect to see results in one day.
- If you get sunburnt, try using olive oil and iodine or use 100% cocoa cream and stay out of the sun for a few days. This will help you get a nice tan afterwards.
- If this is the first time using the tanning box, don't use it for too long; talk to the cashier about the suggested length.
- Start with a short time in the sun, say 10 minutes a day for sensitive skin. If you see no problem you can gradually increase your time in the sun. If there are red spots or itching take a few days break from sunbathing.
- Make sure that when you are sunbathing to turn on a different side so that when you go to prom or a date you don't have a tan line where you are dressed.
- If you opt for an artificial tanning kit-which is safer and can give you a real-looking tan-be sure to find one that doesn't make you look orange.
- Apply more lotion on the red area. This helps the area to tan.
- Don't use a tanning bed! These tools damage your skin and can cause skin cancer!
- If you have very pale/sensitive skin then make sure you wear a sunscreen with a higher rating, eg use a rating of 50+ even if it's only 20-30'C!
- After tanning, use aloe vera lotion and cold shower.
- Want to do au naturel ? Be careful when exposing new areas of skin to direct sunlight. You don't want to burn "there."
Warning
- Be careful with tanning pills, several cases of crystallized deposits inside the eyes have been noted by people taking tanning pills. These deposits have been found that can actually lead to blindness.
- Remember that when you sunbathe, and once you get inside, drink plenty of water. If your skin feels hot try an after sun lotion for relief as the shower may sting if you have burned.
- Keep an eye on moles, and look for changes in color or shape.
- Sunburns can be mild to moderate. If you get a severe burn, see a doctor.
- Tanning or continuous exposure to radiation can cause skin cancer, the worst form of which is called Melanoma. Using spray tanning is safer. If you have to get a tan and don't care if you turn a little orange, you can save your life.
- Using a sun bed, with any form of UV exposure, can be dangerous, especially if you use it for a long period of time.
- If you stay out in the sun for too long, you can have a heart attack.
- People with naturally pale skin don't tan well! Try a moisturizing tanning lotion. It can look natural and sunburnt, not too orange or bronzed.
- As people become more aware of the health risks associated with tanning, they may begin to realize that regular skin is just as attractive as dark skin. Be yourself, and people will accept you as you are, not because of the color of your skin.
- Sunbathing every day is not good for you!
