Some people love tan skin, so they try to sunbathe for as long as they want. However, prolonged exposure to the sun can damage the skin. If you risk yourself and stay under the sun more than your skin can sustain, you will suffer sunburns and skin cancer.
Now the dilemma is: how can you achieve a tan if you cannot stay longer under the sun? Are there any ways for you to speed up the process? The good news is there are many safe ways to get a tan while protecting your skin.
Some of these are using self tanning foam and sun care treatments to enjoy staying under the sun without worrying about harming your skin.
Table of Contents
1. Use Tan Accelerator Products
You can use many tan accelerator products, such as tanning foams, lotions, mists, or oils, to speed up the tanning process. The tanning accelerator products contain ingredients that boost the production of melanin or pigment responsible for skin color.
But do not expect or compare fast results since people’s skins are unique. After applying these products, the result of your tanning will depend on your body’s biochemistry or how your body reacts to certain substances.
2. Apply The Right Sunscreen
Applying the right sunscreen gives your skin the protection it needs while tanning. Always wear a sunscreen lotion with at least SPF 30 and avoid getting over SPF 50. The SPF 30 protects your skin without hindering the tanning process. If you choose a sunscreen with a higher SPF, you won’t achieve tan skin easily, even with tanning products.
3. Schedule Your Tan Session
It is better to schedule your tanning session to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and its harmful UV rays. The best time for a tan session is not between noon to three in the afternoon, when the sun is at its peak hours.
Considering the risk, most people with lighter skin and who want to achieve tanning quickly opt for a 3 p.m. tanning session. But if you already have a fair one, waking up early to catch the sunrise or waiting till the sunset can also be a good schedule for getting tanned.
4. Find The Right Spot And Accessories
Aside from the schedule, finding the right spot and the self-tanning accessories you need are also essential. Most people use sunbeds to achieve tan skin. But it would help if you avoided sunbeds because it has higher UVA, which increases 75% the chances of you getting skin cancer.
Wearing strapless bras can also speed up the tanning process and give you a more satisfying result without the tan lines. You can also set your tanning spot near a shade so that you can take frequent breaks from the intense heat.
5. Eat The Right Foods
To help you get a tan quickly and safely, adding lycopene-rich foods like tomatoes, watermelons, and guavas would be advantageous. Lycopene protects the skin from harmful UV rays and also prevents you from getting sunburns.
In addition to lycopene, beta-carotene-rich foods like carrots, kale, and sweet potatoes can assist you in avoiding sunburns and lessen your skin’s risk of sun sensitivity.
6. Prep Your Skin For Tanning
Lastly, prep your skin before you go out under the sun first. Though some people exfoliate dead skin days before tanning to avoid flaky skin, you should proceed with caution and consult your dermatologist first.
Dead skin cells provide natural protection from harmful UV rays, so if you remove them, you risk your skin for possible sunburns after tanning. The best way is to gently exfoliate at least once a week or make it a habit to apply aloe vera gel after your tanning session.
Enjoy A Healthy Tan Skin!
Undoubtedly, you do not need to risk your health to achieve your desired look. With all these safety tips and hacks for getting a tan fast, there is nothing you should worry about as long as you have the right suncare routine.
