How to Get a Dark Tan in the Sun

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A deep, bronze tan can make you look healthy and glowing, but what's the best way to get one? Don't worry—this article will walk you through the best (and safest) way to get a dark, dazzling tan this summer, no slathering aloe vera onto burned skin required.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Preparing Your Skin

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  1. Gently scrub the skin with a loofa, bath sponge, or natural scrub product in order to remove dead skin and achieve an even and dark tan. Don’t rub so hard as to make your skin raw or irritated.
    • For a natural exfoliating scrub, try coarse sea salt, granulated sugar mixed with honey, or coffee grounds mixed with olive oil.
  2. Choose a rich lotion and apply it all over your skin, focusing on spots that tend to get dry easier. Also drink plenty of water to keep your skin and entire body hydrated. This will allow your skin to get darker over time because each layer of darkened skin will not get dry and flake off as easily. [1]
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  3. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is 15 SPF or higher, and rub it into your skin evenly and all over your body. Have a friend apply it to your back or other areas that you can’t reach easily yourself. You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside. [2]
    • Water-resistant sunscreen is great for many outdoor activities for which you’ll be getting wet or sweaty. You still need to reapply it regularly.
    • Don’t listen to the common myth that you will tan better or faster without wearing sunscreen! Getting a sunburn from lack of sunscreen actually kills the skin cells that you are trying to darken, prohibiting you from getting a dark tan and increasing your risk of skin cancer. [3]
  4. Buy a tanning accelerator lotion or pill to increase your tan. Use sparingly before going out in the sun, and test it for a small amount of time to make sure there are no adverse side effects. [4]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Spending Time in the Sun

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  1. Spend a brief time outside around 12:00 noon for the most exposure to the sun and greatest chance to tan. [5]
    • Remember that you can still get burned or tanned throughout the daylight hours, and even in cloud cover or shade. [6]
  2. Pass the time in the sun by laying out with a good book or music, playing a sport, or simply getting outdoor chores like mowing the lawn done.
  3. Ideally you should be out in the sun for only an hour or two at a time, but if you are out longer, reapply sunscreen every two hours and after every time you get wet (from swimming, showering, or sweating a lot). Drink plenty of water to keep hydrating the skin so you don’t lose your tan.
  4. If you’re lying down or in a chair, change positions between your front, back, and sides every 15 to 30 minutes so you get darker all over.
    • When lying on your back, place your arms above your head and your head tilted slightly back to expose your inner arms and neck. When on your front, put your arms out so the top of your shoulders and forearms get sun.
    • Remember that if you’re playing a sport or doing anything else standing up, your nose, shoulders, arms, and back of the neck will likely get more tan than anything else, as they are facing the sun more directly.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Tan After Sun

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  1. Hop in the shower after you spend time in the sun to remove excess sunscreen, sweat, or sand and dirt.
  2. Keep drinking plenty of water and apply lotion topically to fully hydrate your skin for the best tan. Use aloe vera gel for a good way to soothe the skin. Continue to apply lotion regularly, both right after sun exposure and before bed. [7]
  3. Spend just an hour or two in the sun per day, but do this every day. Build up your tan more gradually for a safer, longer-lasting, and more consistent dark tan. [8]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How many hours do I have to be outside in order to get a tan?
    Lauren Pham
    Community Answer
    It varies from person to person. It can depend on ethnicity, skin sensitivity, what season it is, and genetics. Usually, it will take about an hour to and hour and a half to tan. Remember, even after you get out of the sun, your body continues to tan. Do not stay in the sun for too long! Although it is tempting, do not exceed 3 hours in the sun because your body stops producing melanin after 3 hours.
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  • Question
    Can I put lemon eucalyptus oil in my suntan lotion to prevent mosquito bites?
    Community Answer
    Do NOT put essential oils in suntan lotion. Most essential oils combined with ultraviolet light will give you severe burns. Find a bug spray instead.
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  • Question
    What is the best accelerator to use and what lotion to hydrate? What towel is reflective?
    Community Answer
    Body oils are the best accelerator for tan, and they also hydrate and nourish your skin. You can purchase tanning oil with FPS sun protection, while still getting tanned. A white or bright towel is the most reflective.
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      Tips

      • Wait till later in the day to see the tan you have achieved. Don’t stay out longer in the sun waiting to see a difference in your skin, as it usually will not show up for a few hours after you’ve been outside.
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      Warnings

      • If you have very pale skin and have a hard time tanning without burning, be safe and opt for a sunless tanning lotion instead.
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      • Don’t stay in the sun too long or too often, especially without reapplying sunscreen. Sun exposure is associated with the development of skin cancer, as well as more minor but undesirable skin conditions such as wrinkles, skin discoloration, and blood vessel dilation.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Sunscreen
      • Water
      • Lotion and/or aloe vera gel
      • Loofah, bath sponge, or natural exfoliant
      • Tanning accelerator (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ Diana Yerkes. Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.
      2. ↑ http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/sunscreens-explained
      3. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/20140530/5-or-more-bad-sunburns-while-young-tied-to-higher-melanoma-risk
      4. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25458018
      5. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18348449
      6. ↑ http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/Shade
      7. ↑ Diana Yerkes. Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.
      8. ↑ Diana Yerkes. Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview. 16 April 2019.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to get a dark tan from the sun, prepare ahead of time by exfoliating your skin the night before with a loofah or bath sponge. Once your skin is scrubbed, moisturize with lotion and drink plenty of water so when you get a tan, it’ll take longer for the darkened skin to flake off. While plenty of people might tell you not to wear sunscreen when tanning, you should apply a sunscreen of 15 SPF or higher 30 minutes before going outside. Otherwise, you could get a sunburn, which will keep your skin from tanning. To get the most out of your time outside, go out around noon when the sun is at its strongest. If you’re lying down, change positions every 15 to 30 minutes so you tan evenly. For more tips, like how to maintain your tan, read on!

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