4 Ways To Get Tanned Fast - WikiHow
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This article was co-authored by Barbie Ritzman and by wikiHow staff writer, Annabelle Reyes. Barbie Ritzman is a Beauty Specialist, Influencer, and the Owner of Barbie’s Beauty Bits. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, she specializes in skincare and aesthetics. Barbie studied marketing at Tidewater Community College and holds a Certificate from the Media Buying Academy. For her work, she’s won Beauty Influencer of the Year - The USA and was featured in “The Allure 50,” which includes the year’s 50 most influential people in the beauty industry. There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 3,037,906 times.
Ready to get glowing, bronzed skin, but don’t want to spend days in the sun? That sun-kissed look is what everyone’s after in the spring and summer, and we’re here to help you get it. In this article, we’ve compiled all the essential tips you need to know to speed up the tanning process while staying safe in the sun. And if that’s not fast enough for you, we’ll also give you tips on applying self-tanner or getting a spray tan so that you can get instant results and eliminate any sun-related risk altogether. We’ve even consulted wikiHow’s expert dermatologists and beauty and skincare specialists for their takes, so keep reading!
How do you tan faster in the sun?
To tan quickly in the sun without getting burned, apply a sunscreen with SPF 30 at least 20 minutes before going outside. Lie down in direct sunlight, turning your body frequently for an even tan. Make sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours, and immediately go inside if you feel like you’re starting to get burned.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:Tanning Quickly in the Sun
- 1 Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30. To get tan quickly, you'll likely want to apply a lotion or oil with a lower SPF, but it’s still important to make sure you have some protection from the sun's powerful UV rays. Choose a rub-on lotion, aerosol spray, or oil that has an SPF of at least 30, and apply it about 20-30 minutes before heading outside.[1] Wear a lip balm with SPF 30, too. You don't need your lips to be tan, so be sure to protect them!
- Warning: In the medical community, it’s generally agreed that there is no safe way to tan in the sun. FAAD board-certified dermatologist Mohiba Tareen, MD, explains that any level of tanning is a sign of damage to skin cells, which increases your risk for skin cancer.[2]
- If you do decide to tan in the sun, it’s important to be aware of the risks and to do what you can to protect your skin. This includes wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and immediately getting out of the sun if you think you’re getting burned, which drastically increases risk.[3]
- Reader Poll: We asked 1024 wikiHow readers if they like to tan, and 75% of them said that they do like to tan outside, but only while wearing sunscreen. [Take Poll] Make sure you don’t forget your sunscreen, either!
Meet the wikiHow Experts
Mohiba Tareen, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology, which has locations in Roseville, Maplewood, and Faribault, Minnesota.
R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in lasers, medical devices, patient and public medical education, and skin cancer research.
Ellen Turner, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and the founder of the Dermatology Office, which offers an array of dermatology services, including medical, cosmetic, surgical, and laser procedures.
Barbie Ritzman is a beauty and skincare specialist with over 10 years of experience in the industry, as well as the owner of the digital marketing brand Barbie’s Beauty Bits.
- 2 Tan for only about 30 minutes at a time. Again, there’s no safe way to get a tan in the sun according to medical professionals, but to reduce risk, it’s best to tan in shorter bursts, rather than spending prolonged time in the sun. “If someone’s out for very small, controlled amounts of the sun, [and] that ultimately helps them get some color, we don’t worry about that as much as wehn they’re out to the point that they turn pink or that they burn, because that’s when we know they’re occurring the damage that leads to skin cancer,” explains board-certified dermatologist R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH.[4]
- If you do stay outside for longer, board-certified dermatologist Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD, also stresses the importance of reapplying your sunscreen at least every two hours to prevent burning.[5]
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3 Position yourself in direct sunlight. As the sun moves across the sky, move your towel or lounge chair so that you can always be in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will help you tan faster, but keep in mind that it also increases your risk of sunburn, so be sure not to overdo it.[6] If you don't want to lie around, you can also do something active outside, wearing as little clothing as possible to allow the sun to hit your skin. - It’s possible to get tan in the shade (and this is the safer choice), but it may take longer.[7]
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4 Turn your body over frequently. Like a chicken roasting in a rotisserie, you need to turn your body over frequently to get an even tan while you’re lying out in the sun. A good rule of thumb is to turn in 1/4 revolutions every half hour. Start on your back, then turn to your left side, then your stomach, and lastly your right side. - Make sure to change the position of your arms and legs frequently to avoid awkward tan lines.
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5 Lay out in the middle of the day between 10 am and 4 pm. Dermatologists say it’s safest to avoid the sun during peak hours, but if you're trying to get tan very quickly, it is true that you’ll get the fastest results by tanning when the sun is strongest. If you do decide to go this route, be sure to apply SPF consistently to avoid burning your skin, and immediately stop tanning if you think you’re getting burned.[8] -
6 Take off as much clothing as possible. If you are trying to get tan all over, then there's really no other option than to put on your birthday suit and soak up the sun. Find a nude beach or a private (fenced) area of your backyard and let the sun work its magic! - If you can’t strip down all the way, consider wearing a strapless top or bathing suit. This will help you avoid pesky tan lines while getting an all-over glow.
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7 Lie on a flotation device in the water. Water attracts and reflects sunlight.[9] As a result, lying on or near a body of water may help you absorb as much sunlight as possible, and therefore tan faster. Get some floaties, lie on a raft, or sit in an inner tube on the water to tan in the sun. - The sun is always more intense when it reflects off the water. Be very careful about how long you lie out here to avoid burning, and make sure you’re wearing your sunscreen![10]
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8 Tan every other day. According to a study from Tel Aviv University, exposing your skin to UV rays every other day actually increases your pigmentation more than tanning every day.[11] In other words, you may actually get tanner if you give your skin a rest day in between each tanning session. This also decreases your overall sun exposure and lets your skin recover and repair itself a bit. -
9 Eat foods with beta carotene and lycopene in them. While more research is needed, a study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that an optimal supply of micronutrients like beta carotene can increase defense against UV irradiation and support longer-term protection.[12] Similarly, another study from The University of Manchester shows that the micronutrient lycopene helps naturally protect the skin from UV rays.[13] Before you have fun in the sun, try eating foods with these naturally-occurring chemicals, like: - Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Kale
- Tomatoes
- Guava
- Watermelon
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Tanning Quickly with Self-Tanner
- 1 Choose a self-tanning product with dihydroxyacetone. Dr. Batra recommends using self-tanner to tan quickly and safely, rather than tanning out in the sun. Self-tanner works right away, so it’s a speedier option than lying out in the sun over the course of several days, an dit also allows you to avoid any risk from UV exposure. When picking out a self-tanning product, Dr. Batra suggests choosing one with the active ingredient dihydroxyacetone, as these tend to be the most effective.[14]
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2 Exfoliate your skin before applying self-tanner. To achieve the best results and avoid common self-tan mishaps, beauty and skincare specialist Barbie Ritzman says it’s essential to prep your skin ahead of time. “Exfoliating is a must to remove dead skin cells, which will give you a much smoother application,” Ritzman says.[15] Hop into the shower and use an exfoliating product in a circular motion all over your body, then rinse it off. - Ritzman says you do need to exfoliate your entire body, but she recommends paying special attention to your knees, ankles, elbows, and other places that tend to get dry. “The last thing you want is to have a blotchy tan from a product adhering to some dry areas,” she explains.[16]
- According to Ritzman, it’s also best to exfoliate at least eight hours before you apply your self-tanner to allow your skin’s pH balance to neutralize, which is ideal for the color to develop.[17]
- Make sure your skin is free of makeup, lotions, deodorants, old tanner, or any other products that might create a barrier to tanning, as well, says Ritzman.[18]
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3 Wear gloves while applying the self-tanner. Since you'll be spreading the lotion all around your body with your hands, they will absorb much more of the lotion or oil than the rest of your body. Buy disposable gloves and wear them when applying self-tanner to avoid having hands darker than the rest of your body. Throw the gloves away after use, and use a new pair each time you apply.[19] - Some self-tanners even come with a set of gloves to use when you apply their product.
- Make sure to rub some of the self-tanning lotion or oil into your hands after you finish applying it to the rest of your body with your gloves. You want your hands to be the same color as the rest of your body, just not darker.
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4 Spread the self-tanner on in sections. One of the biggest challenges posed by self-tanning lotion is the ability to spread it evenly around your body. Break your body up into chunks, then go section by section: arms, legs, torso, and back. When you reach your wrists and ankles, blend the self-tanner down to your hands and feet.[20] - Move your hand in a circular motion when applying self-tanner to avoid a streaky appearance.
- Take it slow. Don't rush to put on self-tanner, or odds are you will end up with blotchy areas, or you'll miss areas altogether. Take the time to rub it in completely.
- Don't forget those areas that are normally hidden from public view, including your armpits.
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5 Give the self-tanner 10 minutes to dry before putting on clothes. Putting your clothes on too fast could cause the self-tanner to rub off. Hang out for about 10 minutes, giving the self-tanner time to soak in, then get dressed.[21] - 6 Allow your self-tanner to develop for 6 to 8 hours. “Your tan needs anywhere from 6-8 hours to develop, so make sure you remain in your house,” says Ritzman. She explains that things like rain or sweat can cause the self-tanner to drip and create streaks, so it’s a good idea to be cautious if you want the most even, natural-looking tan.[22]
- Ritzman also recommends waiting about 10 hours before you shower.[23]
- Remember to always apply SPF when you go outside, even if you’ve used self-tanner. Self-tanner is a pigment, but it doesn’t protect your skin from the sun!
- Note: Different self-tanning products might come with slightly different instructions, so be sure to read the label of the specific product you buy and follow those directions.
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Tanning Quickly with a Spray Tan
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1 Exfoliate your skin before getting sprayed. Make sure to get rid of all of the dead and rough skin on the outer layer of your body before getting sprayed. Choose an exfoliating scrub that is oil-free and contains some sort of beads or granules that will polish your skin. Use a loofah or a washcloth in the shower to scrub your body.[24] - If you have any body hair, consider trimming it short before your spray tan. Spray tan gets everywhere (and we mean everywhere), so it may stick to those hairs that you haven’t shaved.
- Double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner, MD, says spray tans are a much safer alternative to natural sun tans. She explains that allowing skin to tan in the sun essentially puts people at risk for skin cancer, so a spray tan is a better option if you want more color safely and quickly.[25]
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2 Visit a spray tan salon or hire a professional to come to your home. Unlike self-tanning lotions, you really need a professional to perform a spray tan on your body. You can either visit a tanning salon with a spray machine or hire a private professional to come to your home and spray you in your shower.[26] - When you go in, talk with your consultant about how dark you’d like to be. That will help determine how many layers of spray tan you need.
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3 Touch up your tan every 1 to 2 weeks. Depending on the strength of the tan and your original skin tone, a spray tan can last anywhere between 5 and 10 days. Moisturize with lotion every day to make your tan last longer. To keep a golden glow, touch up your tan as it begins to fade.[27] Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search Add New Question- Question Whats the best way to tan if I'm really pale and usually just burn?
Community Answer Use a 30 spf sunscreen and then tanning oil on top, and then use a bronzer. Don’t stay out for too long. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 16 Helpful 94 - Question Witch will give you a better tan? Tanning in your backyard or at the beach?
Community Answer Tanning at the beach lets the sunlight reflect from the water and attracts the sunlight, therefore, it would be a better and faster tan. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 25 Helpful 86 - Question Is 14 okay to get a tan in a tanning salon or is that too young?
Community Answer You are too young to go to a tanning salon. It's safest for you to apply a lotion or spray tan, so that you don't expose yourself to harmful ultraviolet light and risk getting cancer. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 88 Helpful 339
Video
Read Video TranscriptTips
- Keep your skin nourished. Apply moisturizing lotion and drink plenty of water after tanning. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 2
Warnings
- Tanning beds are known to heighten your risk of skin cancer.[28] Avoid harmful UV rays if possible. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about tanning, check out our in-depth interview with Barbie Ritzman.
References
- ↑ https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun/uv-protection.html
- ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/news/new-survey-reveals-public-confusion-about-risks-of-tanning-and-sunburns
- ↑ R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2014/07/sun-skin
- ↑ https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2014/07/sun-skin
- ↑ https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2023/05/how-to-tan-safely
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10985-ultraviolet-radiation
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10985-ultraviolet-radiation
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30401431/
- ↑ https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(23)03026-5/fulltext
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20854436/
- ↑ R. Sonia Batra, MD, MSc, MPH. Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/beauty/skincare/a553541/how-to-apply-gradual-tanning-lotion/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/apply-self-tanner
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/apply-self-tanner
- ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview
- ↑ Barbie Ritzman. Beauty & Skincare Specialist. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://greatist.com/discover/how-to-prepare-for-a-spray-tan#how-to-prep-for-a-spray-tan
- ↑ Ellen Turner, MD. Double Board-Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://greatist.com/discover/how-to-prepare-for-a-spray-tan#how-to-prep-for-a-spray-tan
- ↑ https://greatist.com/discover/how-to-prepare-for-a-spray-tan#how-to-prep-for-a-spray-tan
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/media/stats-indoor-tanning
About This Article
To get a quick natural tan, apply a tanning oil or lotion with an SPF between 4 and 15. Alternatively, rub on a natural oil such as olive, coconut, or hazelnut oil. Lie down in a sunny spot and turn over often—about once every half hour—to make sure you tan evenly and don’t burn. Don’t flip over completely, just do a ¼ turn. For instance, if you’re on your back, turn onto your side. The best time to get a tan is between 10 AM and 4 PM, when you’ll get the most sun exposure. To speed up the process even more, try using a reflector or floating on the water to intensify the sun’s rays. Reapply your lotion every 2 hours while you’re tanning, and slather on an aloe-based moisturizer when you’re done. To learn more about using sunless tan lotion or getting a spray tan, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
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Anonymous
Nov 17, 2016
"Of all the articles I have read about tanning, this one is certainly the most helpful. The steps are simple and easy to understand. It contains essential information for anyone who wants a sun-kissed glow."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.Anonymous
Nov 17, 2016
"Of all the articles I have read about tanning, this one is certainly the most helpful. The steps are simple and easy to understand. It contains essential information for anyone who wants a sun-kissed glow."..." moreAva Katterns
Feb 8, 2017
"Thank you! wikiHow has literally helped all my needs and given me all the information about it. I'm honestly very impressed, it's fantastic."..." moreRenee Kellems
May 13, 2018
"The olive oil and coconut oil. I have skin that tans easily and I'm outdoors a lot. The exfoliating before going out was a new idea for me."..." moreSamantha Frazier
Jul 25, 2016
"The detail you went into helped me a lot with knowing when to lay out and to use moisturizer after tanning. Thank you so much for the help."..." moreToya Staple
Jan 26, 2018
"The pros and cons to each method was helpful, I was able to evaluate the options and choose the best option for me! Thanks!"..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success storiesQuizzes & Games
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Subscribe You're all set! X --Tag » How To Get A Good Tan
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