How to Tan Faster: Natural Sun, Self-Tanner, & More

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Your guide to getting a sun-kissed glow as quickly as possible
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Ready to get glowing, bronzed skin, but don’t want to spend days in the sun? That sun-kissed look is what everyone’s after in the summer, and we’re here to help you get it. Read through our article to learn how you can speed up the tanning process while staying safe in the sun. And if that’s not fast enough for you, we’ll also give you tips on applying self-tanner and getting a spray tan for instant results.

Things You Should Know

  • Tan quickly in the sun without getting burnt by wearing sunscreen with SPF 30 .
  • Turn your body frequently, and make sure you stay in direct sunlight.
  • Eat foods with beta carotene and lycopene to naturally protect your skin from the sun while getting a tan.
  • To tan without harmful UV rays, try applying tanning lotion or getting a spray tan.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Natural Sun Tan

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    1
    Choose a base lotion or oil with SPF 15 or 30. To get tan quickly, you'll need to apply a lotion or oil with a low SPF, but you still want to make sure you have some protection from the sun's powerful rays. Choose between rub-on lotions , aerosol sprays , and oil rubs that all contain some SPF. [1]
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    2
    Turn your body over frequently. Like a chicken roasting in a rotisserie, you need to turn your body over frequently to get an even tan . A good rule of thumb is to turn in 1/4 revolutions every half hour. Start on your back, then turn to your left side, then your stomach, and lastly your right side. [3]
    • Make sure to change the position of your arms and legs frequently to avoid awkward tan lines.
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    3
    Position yourself in direct sunlight. As the sun moves across the sky, move your towel or lounge chair so that you can always be in direct sunlight. If you don't want to lay around all day, you can also do something active outside, wearing as little clothing as possible to allow the sun to hit your skin. [4]
    • You can get tan in the shade, but it may take longer.
    • To target areas on your body even more, use a tanning reflector (basically a shiny piece of fabric) to point the sun at specific parts of your body.
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    4
    Lay out in the middle of the day between 10am and 4pm. Though dermatologists usually tell you to avoid the sun during peak hours, if you're trying to get tan quickly, hit the tanning grind when the sun is strongest. Just be sure to apply SPF consistently to avoid burning your skin. [5]
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    5
    Take off as much clothing as possible. If you are trying to get tan all over, then there's really no other option than to put on your birthday suit and soak up the sun. Find a nude beach or a private (fenced) area of your backyard and let the sun work its magic! [6]
    • If you can’t strip down all the way, consider wearing a strapless top or bathing suit. This will help you avoid pesky tan lines while getting an all-over glow.
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    6
    Lay on a floatation device in the water. Because water attracts and reflects sunlight, laying on or near a body of water will help you absorb as much sunlight as possible. [7] Get some floaties, lay on a raft, or sit in an inner tube on the water to tan in the sun.
    • The sun is always more intense when it reflects off the water. Be very careful about how long you lay out here to avoid burning.
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    7
    Tan every other day. Studies show that exposing your skin to UV rays every other day actually increases your pigmentation more than tanning every day. [8] As you get on the road to your tanned journey, try to lay out in the sun at least 3 to 4 times per week to get a great tan going.
    • Giving yourself a day in between tanning sessions will also let your skin recover and repair itself.
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    8
    Exfoliate gently once a week. Exfoliating removes dead skin to give you a brighter, more even tan. [9] Before you head outside, hop in the shower and use an exfoliating product to gently slough off dead skin. Rub the product in circular motions, then rinse off and apply sunscreen.
    • You can safely exfoliate about once a week. Any more than that, and you might irritate your skin.
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    9
    Eat foods with beta carotene and lycopene in them. While more research is needed, studies have shown that beta carotene can reduce sun sensitivity in people, leading to longer periods without burning. [10] Similarly, other studies show that lycopene helps naturally protect the skin from UV rays. [11] Before you have fun in the sun, try eating foods with these naturally-occurring chemicals, like:
    • Carrots
    • Sweet potatoes
    • Kale
    • Tomatoes
    • Guava
    • Watermelon
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Tanning Lotion

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    1
    Exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating gets rid of dead skin cells that can make your tan look uneven. Hop into the shower and use an exfoliating product in a circular motion all over your body. Then, rinse it off. [12]
    • You can safely exfoliate about once a week.
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    2
    Wear gloves while applying the self-tanner . Since you'll be spreading the lotion all around your body with your hands, they will absorb much more of the lotion or oil than the rest of your body. Buy disposable gloves and wear them when applying self-tanner to avoid having hands darker than the rest of your body. [13]
    • Throw the gloves away after use and use a new pair each time you apply.
    • Make sure to rub some lotion or oil into your hands after you finish applying it to the rest of your body. You want them to be the same color of the rest of your body, just not darker.
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    3
    Spread the self tanner on in sections. One of the biggest challenges posed by self-tanning lotion is the ability to spread it evenly around your body. Break your body up into chunks, then go section by section: arms, legs, torso, and back. When you reach your wrists and ankles, blend the self-tanner down to your hands and feet. [14]
    • Move your hand in a circular motion when applying self-tanner to avoid a streaky appearance.
    • Take it slow. Don't rush to put on self-tanner, or odds are you will end up with blotchy areas or you'll miss areas altogether. Take the time to rub it in completely.
    • Don't forget those areas that are normally hidden from public view, including your armpits.
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    4
    Give the self-tanner 10 minutes to dry. Putting your clothes on too fast could cause the self-tanner to rub off. Hang out for about 10 minutes, giving the self-tanner time to soak in. [15]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Spray Tan

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    1
    Exfoliate your skin before getting sprayed. Make sure to get rid of all of the dead and rough skin on the outer layer of your body before getting sprayed. Choose an exfoliating scrub that is oil-free and contains some sort of rough beads or granules that will polish your skin. Use a loofah or a washcloth in the shower to scrub your body. [18]
    • If you have any body hair, consider trimming it short before your spray tan. Spray tan gets everywhere (and we mean everywhere), so it may stick to those hairs that you haven’t shaved.
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    2
    Visit a spray tan salon or hire a professional to your home. Unlike self-tanning lotions, you really need a professional to perform a spray tan on your body. You can either visit a tanning salon with a spray machine or hire a private professional to come to your home and spray you in your shower. [19]
    • When you go in, talk with your consultant about how dark you’d like to be. That will help determine how many layers of spray tan you need.
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    3
    Touch up your tan every 1 to 2 weeks. Depending on the strength of the tan and your original skin tone, a spray tan can last anywhere between 5 and 10 days. Moisturize with lotion every day to make your tan last longer. To keep a golden glow, touch up your tan as it begins to fade. [20]
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  • Question
    Whats the best way to tan if I'm really pale and usually just burn?
    Community Answer
    Use a 30 spf sunscreen and then tanning oil on top, and then use a bronzer. Don’t stay out for too long.
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  • Question
    Witch will give you a better tan? Tanning in your backyard or at the beach?
    Community Answer
    Tanning at the beach lets the sunlight reflect from the water and attracts the sunlight, therefore, it would be a better and faster tan.
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  • Question
    Is 14 okay to get a tan in a tanning salon or is that too young?
    Community Answer
    You are too young to go to a tanning salon. It's safest for you to apply a lotion or spray tan, so that you don't expose yourself to harmful ultraviolet light and risk getting cancer.
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      Tips

      • Keep your skin nourished. Apply moisturizing lotion and drink plenty of water after tanning.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about tanning, check out our in-depth interview with Barbie Ritzman .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun/uv-protection.html
      2. ↑ Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 15 May 2020.
      3. ↑ https://greatist.com/health/how-to-tan-safely#exposure-by-skin-tone
      4. ↑ https://greatist.com/health/how-to-tan-safely#exposure-by-skin-tone
      5. ↑ https://greatist.com/health/how-to-tan-safely#exposure-by-skin-tone
      6. ↑ https://www.teenvogue.com/story/avoid-tan-lines-cut-out-bathing-suits
      7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10985-ultraviolet-radiation
      8. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30401431/
      9. ↑ https://greatist.com/health/how-to-tan-safely#exposure-by-skin-tone
      1. ↑ http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/thejournalhub/10.15570/archive/acta-apa-08-4/2.pdf
      2. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20854436/
      3. ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview. 23 August 2021.
      4. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/beauty/skincare/a553541/how-to-apply-gradual-tanning-lotion/
      5. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/apply-self-tanner
      6. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/apply-self-tanner
      7. ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview. 23 August 2021.
      8. ↑ R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.
      9. ↑ https://greatist.com/discover/how-to-prepare-for-a-spray-tan#how-to-prep-for-a-spray-tan
      10. ↑ https://greatist.com/discover/how-to-prepare-for-a-spray-tan#how-to-prep-for-a-spray-tan
      11. ↑ https://greatist.com/discover/how-to-prepare-for-a-spray-tan#how-to-prep-for-a-spray-tan
      12. ↑ https://www.aad.org/media/stats-indoor-tanning

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get a quick natural tan, apply a tanning oil or lotion with an SPF between 4 and 15. Alternatively, rub on a natural oil such as olive, coconut, or hazelnut oil. Lie down in a sunny spot and turn over often—about once every half hour—to make sure you tan evenly and don’t burn. Don’t flip over completely, just do a ¼ turn. For instance, if you’re on your back, turn onto your side. The best time to get a tan is between 10 AM and 4 PM, when you’ll get the most sun exposure. To speed up the process even more, try using a reflector or floating on the water to intensify the sun’s rays. Reapply your lotion every 2 hours while you’re tanning, and slather on an aloe-based moisturizer when you’re done. To learn more about using sunless tan lotion or getting a spray tan, keep reading!

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