There are a few things you can do to keep a tan from fading, thereby extending the life of your tan. You may burn or tan in as little as 10 minutes if you’re not wearing sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor). [citation needed]. I think they will be there a long time, but want an idea of how long. is reduced by virtually all sunscreens in accordance with their, is thought, but not proven, to cause the formation of. You will likely need to use more sunscreen than you think. [2] Some people tan or sunburn more easily than others. Melanin is responsible for the brown glow we associate with tans, but it’s also the skin’s way of protecting itself against UV damage caused by the sun. Get your answers by asking now. Can Avocados Improve the Health of Your Skin? If you want them to go away faster put a high SPF on the dark bits, and a lower one on the white bits (never tan without SPF), and see where it goes from there. “If it has been burnt it will start to repair the damage by creating new cells as fast as possible and shedding the damaged ones before they can turn cancerous. tanning beds and booths are especially unsafe, The World Health Organization’s International Agency, Sun exposure precautions and side effects, 11 Skin Conditions You’ve Probably Never Heard Of. All rights reserved. There are many factors that will influence the length of time it takes a person to tan. How long it takes you to tan outside will depend on your skin type and the climate in which you’re tanning. A tan you receive from outdoor exposure is mainly the result of UVA rays from the sun, as the large majority of the sun’s UVB rays are absorbed by the earth’s ozone layer. Generally speaking, a tan that was achieved through sunbathing outside can be expected to last 7 to 10 days before the outer layer of the skin begins to exfoliate naturally. You can moisturize your skin with a natural oil like. Even when wearing SPF, UV rays can still be damaging. The time is takes to tan depends on several factors including your skin color, your climate, and how close you are to the equator. “Skin needs to be moisturised daily regardless of sun exposure,” says Sally Penford, education manager at the International Dermal Institute. So does my best friend, she's half black as well. [28], Women's outdoor clothing styles were tailored to protect against sunlight exposure, with full-length sleeves, and sunbonnets and other large hats, headscarves, and parasols shielding the head. Last medically reviewed on January 28, 2020, While no tan is permanent, with proper care you can extend the life of your tan by a few days. "Sunscreens - IARC Handbook of Cancer Prevention Volume 5", "Sunlight and Vitamin D: Necessary for Public Health", "Possible cancer hazard associated with 5-methoxypsoralen in sun tan preparations", "5-Methoxypsoralen, the melanogenic additive in sun-tan preparations, is tumorigenic in mice exposed to 365 nm UV radiation", "Should subjects who used psoralen sun tan activators be screened for melanoma? Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. how many days in a week and how many weeks do you need to run 8 miles every day for nice abs? I went tanning for a long time and got bad tan lines, been trying to get rid of them for a couple months to no success. The key to prolonging a tan starts before you even get one. Skin darkening from UVA exposure does not lead to significantly increased production of melanin or protection against sunburn. Do not fall asleep in the sun. [9] However, in order to cause true melanogenesis-tanning by means of UV exposure, some direct DNA photodamage must first be produced, and this requires UVB exposure (as present in natural sunlight, or sunlamps that produce UVB). The closer you are to the equator, the more likely you are to tan or burn. Moderate exposure to direct sunlight contributes to the production of melanin and vitamin D by the body, but excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays has negative health effects, including sunburn and increased risk of skin cancer,[1] as well as depressed immune system function and accelerated aging of the skin. The safest and quickest way to get a tan without looking like Iggy Pop is to fake it, whether that’s at home with a sunless product or by visiting a professional. 0 0. Limit your tanning to once a month (if necessary).