You can get a tan that looks great without spending too much money, or damaging your skin from the sun's rays. Choose a cream for tanning and read the instructions below to learn how to naturally tan your skin like you've been in the sun. If you prefer to do it the conventional way, also read the instructions below on how to sunbathe in your backyard.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Getting the Perfect Tan at Home
Step 1. Choose a tanning lotion or spray that is suitable for the process of darkening the skin to tan (tanning)
Pharmacies have a wide variety of different products for at-home tanning, and most products are inexpensive. Choose a tanning spray or lotion that suits your skin tone and texture. You may only need one bottle for your body, but if you want to darken your entire skin, buy a spare lotion.
- Choose a tanning color that is only a few shades darker than your normal skin tone. If you darken the skin from snow-white to dark orange in a day, the transition will not be positive. Your goal is to look a few shades darker than your current skin tone, as if you've just spent a week on a warm beach vacation.
- Consider whether you want to buy a lotion or sprayable product. If your skin is dry, you can choose a product in the form of a lotion to add moisture to the skin. Some people find it easier to use a tanning product that is sprayed on the skin because the results are more even – it's all up to you.
Step 2. Exfoliate the skin (exfoliate)
Do not use tanning liquids on dry skin and covered with dead skin cells because the skin will look striped the next time you exfoliate. Exfoliating the skin thoroughly before you apply the lotion is key.
- Start removing all the dead skin cells from your body using a dry brush. It also helps a little to improve your circulation. Your brush and skin should be dry. Rub your hands and feet in short movements that lead to the heart. Don't forget to clean the torso, back, and other areas that will be darkened.
- Take a bath with lukewarm water and use soap that can help the process of removing dead skin cells. Scrub well areas such as knees and elbows, as well as any other areas that tend to dry out or get rough easily.
Step 3. Apply moisturizer to your body
The next step is to prevent your body from drying out again, by applying a good moisturizer. Use baby oil, lotion, or your preferred method to lock in moisture from your neck to your toes after you're done showering. Wait a few minutes for your skin to absorb the applied moisturizer, then proceed with the tanning process.
Step 4. Wear hand protection
If you purchased a kit for self-tanning at home, a pair of latex or plastic hand guards may be included in the kit. This hand guard is useful for protecting your hands from tanning creams that may hit your hands when used. If you don't buy the product in a kit, it's important that you buy a pair of hand guards–-otherwise, your hands will turn a bright orange-brown color after just a few coats of the tanning cream.
Step 5. Use a tanning product
Stand in your bathroom and spray yourself with tanning liquid or use your hands to spread out the tanning lotion. Do it carefully to make sure you don't miss any parts. You can stand on an old towel as a base to keep the tanning liquid from spilling onto the bathroom floor and discoloring the floor.
- Start on one leg and apply tanning solution from toe to thigh, then do it on the other leg. Follow the directions on the product bottle, and make sure you hold the tanning spray bottle at the correct distance (to the skin). If you're using lotion, apply it on the skin gently and spread it out, instead of rubbing too much into just one particular spot.
- Next is the torso, back, and neck. You can ask your friend to apply a tanning product to hard-to-reach places, or use a “back spatula” (available at pharmacies) to apply the tanning liquid to your back. The shape of this spatula is like the shape of a body brush. However, instead of a brush, there is a smooth-surfaced spatula head at the end.
- Use tanning products on your hands. Remove the hand guard and apply the liquid with the help of a cotton swab carefully.
- Do it on your face with extra care. You can apply a small amount of Vaseline around your hairline to make sure the tannins don't collect in the area.
Step 6. Rub your body back
After the whole body has been covered with tanning products, rub your body again with a soft cloth. Do it in a circular motion. This will ensure an even layer of tanning fluid over the entire surface of your body.
Step 7. Let it soak
You need to allow time for the tanning liquid to seep into the skin. Wait a few hours indoors, and wear long, loose-fitting, dark clothes to prevent stains from the tanning liquid. After a few hours, you can shower, put on a light-colored dress, or head outside.
Method 2 of 2: Sunbathing in the Backyard
Step 1. Put on the smallest swimsuit you have
The more exposed, the more areas of skin that can be dried.
If your backyard is covered, you might consider sunbathing naked. There's nothing sexier than an all-over tan without leaving a mark
Step 2. Bring some things that you can use to pass the time
Have a towel, music, magazines, sunglasses, hat, a glass or bottle of water, and a friend ready. The more things that keep you busy, the more you will want to linger outside. It's important to stay hydrated, as you'll be excreting a lot of fluid in the form of sweat.
Step 3. Cover your body with a tanning oil containing SPF-15
This will make the tanning process safer and healthier, and you can stay in the sun longer without getting burned.
- Do not use a tanning lotion with an SPF lower than SPF-15. Long sunbathing without using protection from UV rays is not very good, and the main cause of skin cancer.
- Use the oil twenty minutes before you go out in the sun, and repeat at least every hour--or if you're bathing or swimming. You should still wear it again even if your sunscreen is waterproof.
Step 4. Use a cushioned lounge chair to maximize your comfort
Lying on the floor is very uncomfortable and not relaxing.
- Look for a chair that allows your skin to breathe, and is easy to wipe off sweat for comfort.
- Take a towel to cover the parts of your body that you don't want to dry.
Step 5. Choose the best time of day
To prevent sunburn (which won't help to get an even tan), avoid sunbathing during the sun's hottest hours--from ten in the morning to four in the afternoon. Pay attention to this rule if you wear little clothes while sunbathing. The last thing you want is a burning ass!
- Lie down for two to four hours, reapplying your skin with tanning oil once an hour. If you feel hot, run around the sprinklers or jump into the pool.
- Remember that the longer you stay outside in the sun, the more likely it is that your skin will be damaged by the sun. Be smart and come back indoors if you think your skin is going to burn.
Step 6. Repeat regularly
You won't have a golden glow in one day; but if you spend a little time in the sun every day, you'll have a tan in less than a week.
Step 7. Take care of your tanned skin tone
Once you have tanned skin that glows like a goddess (or god), be sure to keep your skin hydrated to make your tantalizing skin tone last longer.
Moisturizers based on aloe vera will make your tanned skin tone last longer, look moisturized and smooth
Tips
- Alternate sunbathing by lying on the front and back at the same time: of course you don't want to look striped!
- It is best to sunbathe near a pool or anything related to water. Sunlight bouncing off the surface of the water will cause light to bounce back toward you. But be warned, your skin will tan or burn more quickly, so pay attention to the amount of time you spend outside.
- Spraying your body with water with a spray bottle is also possible! If your skin is wet, it will dry out more easily and become tanned.
- If your skin is burning, it probably really is! Take the time to rest for five minutes or apply sunscreen again.
- Your skin needs to get used to being exposed to the sun first if you stay indoors during the winter. Start by basking in the sun for five minutes and then do it longer.
- Do the tanning process evenly, not just in one place.
- Make sure your feet are oiled.
- Sunscreen will prevent your skin from burning, and will not affect the tanning process. Be sure to wear sunscreen, even when you're trying to sunbathe.
Warning
- Be especially careful on areas of sensitive skin, such as the face, ears, or other areas that are hardly exposed to the sun (such as areas usually covered by underwear or swimwear) that are particularly sensitive. If you want to expose these areas, be sure to protect them with a sunscreen with a higher SPF content than you would use on other parts of the body. You can also cover your face and ears with a wide hat if you don't wear sunscreen.
- No tanning process is 100% safe, especially when it comes to tanning from sunbathing or tanning equipment. Doing tanning by basking in the sun will increase the risk of skin cancer.
- Constantly tanning in the sun – even if you have never had skin cancer – will make you age faster, and make you look more like an old leather jacket than a movie star.
