How to Get a Good Tan Without Getting Sunburned

Co-authored by Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD

Last Updated: July 29, 2022 References

Skin with a warm, sun-kissed tan can look radiant, sexy, and attractive. At the same time, you want to be careful to avoid getting sunburned, and you want to minimize any risks associated with tanning. This article will provide you with guidance for sun tanning, spray tanning, and self tanning that will help you to look great and avoid sunburns.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Tanning Safely When You're Outdoors

1
Wear sunscreen instead of sunblock. Sunscreens allow some of the sun's rays to penetrate, giving you some tanning action while shielding you from many harmful UVA and UVB rays.
- Always reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours to prevent any sunburn or sun damage to the skin.^{[1]
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2
Choose water-resistant sunscreen. Before you start sweating or swimming, wait about 20 minutes to give your sunscreen a chance to bind to your skin.

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3
Avoid peak hours. Do not lay out between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun's rays are strongest during those hours, and you're more likely to get a sunburn.
4
Build up your time in the sun slowly. Start by laying out for 15 minutes and add 5 minutes or so per week. Your tan will progress more gradually, but you'll avoid getting burned.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Giving Yourself a Spray Tan

1
Exfoliate before you start. Use a body scrub and a loofah to get rid of dead surface skin cells, or you'll come out of your tanning session looking speckled.
2
Put moisturizer on your fingernails, toenails, feet and eyebrows. Otherwise, they may end up turning dark brown or orange.
3
Choose a tinted aerosol if you're doing your spray tan at home. When you use clear aerosols, you may have a difficult time telling how much spray tan you've applied to your skin.
4
Put a towel down on the base of your shower. Get into your shower and close the curtain so that you don't accidentally spray tanning product onto other bathroom surfaces.
5
Go easy on dry areas. Put extra moisturizer on your knees and elbows, and spray them lightly compared to other areas.
6
Use a special technique to spray your back. Spray product into the air and step back into it as you would if you were applying perfume. Do this 2 to 3 times to make sure that you get enough product on your back.
7
Correct mistakes with a sponge brush. You can also buy a specially designed tanner remover to take off dark spots, streaks or other application errors.
8
Get a salon airbrush tan if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself. Expect to pay between $80 and $100.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Applying Self-Tanning Mousse or Gel

1
Exfoliate your skin with a body scrub and a loofah. Apply your tanning mousse or gel immediately after you prep your skin to ensure the smoothest coat possible.
2
Apply a moisturizer that contains a gradual tanner.
- Make sure that the product is formulated to work with DHA, which is the active ingredient in most self-tanners.
- The moisturizer will do double-duty for you by providing coverage for spots you may miss when you apply mousse or gel.
3
Start at the bottom of your body and work your way up. Working this way will keep you from creasing your skin when you bend over to apply the self-tanner.
4
Ask a partner to help you. You may need assistance applying a mousse or gel to your back and other hard-to-reach areas.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I know if I'm about to burn?

Community Answer

Your skin starts feeling warm, but it's a deep sensation. Your skin may also look speckled even if it doesn't look red. Your sunburn will usually appear after you shower.
Question

How do I became dark brown like Ariana Grande without getting a sunburn?

Community Answer

Apply a self-tanning aerosol. Her "tan" has a slightly orange tinge to it, which suggests it comes out of a can, rather than from the sun.
Question

Do red-heads tan or burn?

Community Answer

It really depends. If you're already darker, you'll tan more and burn less (but even very dark people get sunburned). However, most red-heads are pale, and tend to burn. It depends on skin color rather than hair color.

Warnings

Indoor tanning is more likely to cause melanoma than outdoor tanning, according to the American Cancer Society. Young women are especially vulnerable to melanoma development if they tan indoors as teenagers. For these reasons, skip the tanning salon. If you feel compelled to tan indoors, then limit yourself to 3 sessions per week.

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