5 Things You Must Know About Tanning And How It Affects Your Skin

Despite their age and preferences, almost everyone loves to achieve and flaunt smooth tanned skin. Given the sudden surge in popularity, the world of tanning is expanding exponentially. There is an abundance of products, methods, and guides to help make the process easier.

Are you planning to go tanning but don’t know anything about it? Do you wonder how it can affect your skin? If you wish to get well-versed with tanning, you are in the right place. Dive right in to learn more about the art and science of tanning. 

What 5 Things You Must Know About Tanning?

Whether you are a novice at tanning or just want to go back to the old habit, it is wise to know about the process before you start. Here are five essential things to know about tanning and how it will affect you:

1.       How Tanning Works:

A tan is simply the darkening of the skin shade through the sunlight. The rays of the sun have ultraviolet radiation, consisting of both UVA and UVB rays.

The UVA rays penetrate the epidermis of the skin and trigger cells known as melanocytes. These cells produce melanin which is responsible for the darkening of the skin or the tan. Melanin is your body’s natural way to protect the skin from burning due to radiation. 

2.       There Are Various Methods To Tan:

While most people think that tanning outside in the sun is the only way to achieve dark and glowing skin, they are mistaken. There are plenty of artificial measures as well that can help you achieve a tan.

If you are someone who doesn’t have the time or want to avoid the sun, you can opt for artificial tan. While spray tan is the most effective and popular method among tanning enthusiasts because of the convenience, tanning beds are also a great alternative.

In case you wish to tan at home, you can also go for self-tanning products like gels and creams to easily achieve a tan. Depending on the results you wish to achieve and your skin type, you can choose the suitable method.

3.       Choosing The Right Time Is Essential:

If you are planning to get a natural tan by lounging outside in the sun, it is imperative to find out the best time of the day to tan. The sun is the brightest between 10 am in the morning and 4 pm in the evening. While you can quickly get a dark tan in between this period, though you might also be more prone to the risk of skin damage and burning.

For the ones to wish to tan safely, the time before 10 am or after 4 pm will be ideal. The sun rays are not direct and will ensure you can tan without overexposing yourself and risking sunburns.

Try to schedule your tanning session for only 30 minutes and then observe the results. You might develop a tan within the period, but if not, you can lounge some more in the sunlight.   

4.       Prep Your Skin Before Tan:

Despite the method or time duration you are opting for to achieve a tan, it is vital to prep your skin before it. Dry and flaky skin is difficult to tan and might even lead to undesirable results.

You must exfoliate your skin at least 24 hours prior to the tanning session. It helps get rid of dry skin and ensures you can get smooth and even tan. If you want to shave or wax your skin, you must also do that a day before tanning.

Besides that, you must also hydrate your skin with a natural moisturizer until the day of the tan. Skip applying moisturizer or any other product if you are opting for spray tan or self-tanners.     

5.       Protection Is Vital:

An essential to remember when going for tanning is that protection is paramount. Whether you are going for indoor tanning or planning to tan outside in the sun, you must have sunscreen on. Apply sunscreen with SPF all over your skin to minimize skin damage, and reapply it every 2 hours if you’re in the sun.

The skin of your lips is also delicate and can suffer damage. Make sure you apply a lip balm with SPF to keep your lips safe. 

Final Thoughts

While tanning is an enjoyable activity for many, people tend to avoid it owing to the lack of knowledge about it. The above facts about tanning can help you prepare yourself for tanning and achieve the desired results. You are now fully prepared to begin your journey to achieve glowing, smooth, and evenly tanned skin!