How Long Does It Take To Tan?

logo by Editorial Staff | Posted on July 4th, 2022

One of the most popular arts of beauty today is tanning. Skincare has become difficult in our busy lives. You must pay your skin the necessary attention if you want to keep it healthy and beautiful.


Although tanning and prolonged sun exposure have hazards, some people nevertheless choose to get a tan because they like how it makes their skin look or because tanning is a hobby they love. By developing a fast tan, you can lessen some risks if you want to spend a lot of time tanning in the sun. Continue reading to find out how long it takes to develop a tan and how to lower the hazards. 

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Factors that influence tanning

The amount of time it takes to tan will depend on various factors. Some are specific to the person, while others are connected to the environment in which you’re tanning. Six variables that affect tanning are listed below:

  • Higher altitudes have more powerful solar rays, which can hasten tanning and blistering. 
  • Because they have more melanin in their skin, those with darker complexion brown more quickly. They may tan more as a result of this because sunlight causes melanocytes, which are skin-darkening cells, to generate melanin.
  • More moisture in the air in humid locations may speed up tanning and prevent tans from fading. 
  • The time of day and the sun’s angle is also important. For example, you are more prone to burn or tan closer to the equator.
  • You are more likely to burn or tan the more time you spend in the sun without a break in the shade. 
  • The SPF of sunscreen can affect how much you tan, and the higher the SPF, the longer it should be before you burn. 

How long does it take to tan safely in the sun?

On a sunny, hot day, it can take anything from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on your skin tone, if the sun is out and you will be exposed to it.

It is advised to use the darkening lotion for the first 40 minutes and then, on top of the bronzing lotion, to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with UVA protection that has an SPF of at least 50. Limiting your time in the sun is crucial, so wait a couple of hours before ending your tanning session. 

Also, remember that using a high-quality tan intensifier or maximizer lotion will be crucial for accelerating the tanning process and requiring less time in the sun. If the sun is too hot, take 30 or 45 minutes to be safe, and you should be able to obtain some color from this.

Use all forms of protection, such as umbrellas and sunblock, if you want to spend a lot of time at the beach. In conclusion, how much time does it take to get a safe sun tan?

  • Darker skin tones: often 20 to 1 hour. After 20 minutes of sunbathing, take a shower. Then, return and take further showers at different intervals to make it safer. 
  • Fairer skin tones: typically one hour. Spend 15 minutes in the sun before taking a shower to cool your skin. Then, repeat the process once more.

It’s important to remember that tanning creams and lotions can always enhance your experience, and to be safe, never skip applying sunscreen SPF 50+.

Tips for tanning faster

If tanning is something, you’re interested in, finding out how to tan faster could cut down on the amount of time you need to spend outside and lower your exposure to UV rays.

Remember that developing a “base tan” does not lower your chances of getting a sunburn or other type of skin injury. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration says that sunless tanning tablets are not secure.

Here are six suggestions for becoming tan faster:

  • Before tanning, exfoliate to prevent flaking of your tan.
  • Use a minimum of 1 ounce of SPF 30 to ensure that you still get a tan but do not burn rapidly.
  • You should frequently switch postures to prevent burning one area of your body. 
  • To naturally darken your skin, consume foods high in beta-carotene, such as carrots.
  • In addition, consume lycopene-rich foods like watermelon, tomato paste, and tomatoes to naturally combat UV radiation (but should not replace SPF).
  • When UV rays are at their strongest, they tan between noon and 3 o’clock. But this time of day is also the most harmful to your skin and deadly. So be careful while it’s happening. 

Tanning risks

Risks come with tanning, particularly if you don’t use sunscreen. UV rays can still be harmful even when wearing SPF. Among the dangers of tanning are: 

  • Skin cancer, such as melanoma
  • Dehydration
  • Sunburn
  • Heat rash 
  • Early aging of the skin
  • Harm to the eyes
  • Inhibition of the immune system

Are tanning beds harmful?

Avoid using tanning beds since they are extremely dangerous. One indoor tanning session can raise the risk of melanoma development by up to 20%. In addition, high UVA ray exposure from tanning beds has been linked to skin cancer. As a result, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization has categorized tanning beds as carcinogenic. 

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for a tan to show?

It doesn’t imply you should stay in the sun just because you can’t see color after an hour or two. However, remember that staying in the sun, especially without SPF, is very bad for your eyes and the rest of your body. 

Once your allotted time of 1-2 hours has passed, choose to sit in the shade and try the following day again. Even though it could take some time for your body to tan, you are still tanning. For people with the fairest complexions, spending more time in the sun increases your risk of becoming burned. 

How long does a natural tan last?

Depending on several circumstances, including how deep the tan is, a natural tan can last anywhere from 7 to 10 days.

How long does it take to get a dark tan?

You can spend 1-2 hours in the sun every day after you’ve developed a base tan until you get the desired effects.

Conclusion

You should drink plenty of water before tanning to prevent dehydration. Additionally, it will assist in enhancing blood flow throughout the process. Having dry skin frequently has negative effects. Your skin tone, the environment where you live, and how near you are to the equator affect how long it takes to tan. Most individuals tan in the sun for 1 to 2 hours. 

It’s crucial to remember that tans and burns can take some time to develop, so just because you don’t notice color right away doesn’t imply you’re not receiving any color or that you should use a lower SPF. 

Risks associated with tanning include skin cancer. If you choose to get a tan outside, try to limit the amount of time you spend doing it. Use sunscreen every day with an SPF of at least 30.

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Editorial Staff

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