Many people desire to have bronzy glowing skin, and while tanning seems like the simplest and most natural way to achieve this, it can cause burning too.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, sunburns occur when the skin’s outermost layer is repeatedly exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Additionally, being too long under the sun can also lead to other conditions such as premature aging and development of skin cancer such as melanoma.

Need tips on how you can get the tan you want while protecting your skin?

Read on!

Tip 1: Use Tan Accelerators

Tan accelerators are used to speed up tanning by way of stimulating melanin production in your body.

If you’re not so familiar with what melanin is and how it works, it’s simply a pigment which darkens the skin as a way of defending it against the sun’s rays.

Note that the amount of melanin you produce depends on your genetics, which somehow explains why some people have it easier to be tan while others only get red and painful burns.

Considering you’re one of the latter, a tan accelerator may just be for you!

It can come in tablet, injection, oil, or lotion form, which are all pretty effective in helping you transform a tan without spending too much time under UV light.

Tip 2: Switch Tanning Positions Frequently

Though tan accelerators can get you dark in a shorter time than usual, note that most of these products don’t contain sun protection properties either.

This is where a good tanning technique comes into rescue!

We already know that too much concentration of UV light can lead skin to burn, hence, it is important that you switch sides when tanning for a minimum of 15 minutes.

This tip can also help you in evening out a tan color. So don’t forget to set an alarm when it’s time to flip over!

Another thing is, you need to check on your skin every once in a while to see if it’s gotten dry or painful to the touch.

Be mindful that there’s such a thing as melanin cut-off — meaning the body is capable of producing a darker pigment usually under 2 to a maximum of 3 hours.

Going beyond that time frame may not help you go darker but rather put your skin or overall health at risk.

If you feel a bit dizzy, it may also be an indication that it’s time to get out of the sun.

Tip 3: Wear Sunscreen Above Your Tan Accelerator

Sunscreen is designed to protect your skin from harmful UV rays that can burn or damage your skin.

Since it was stated that most tanning accelerators don’t contain sun protection, it’s a wise and effective choice for you to apply a layer of sunscreen on top of your tanning product!

Professionals recommend that you use an ounce of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30; it’s said to be sufficient enough to shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.

Lastly, don’t forget to reapply sunscreen on your skin and have the product distributed evenly throughout all parts, especially “sun-sensitive” areas such as the nose and back.

Tip 4: Know the Right Time to Tan

The tanning time that works best for you would depend on the sensitivity of your skin under the sun.

There are people whose bodies react badly to heat, and if you’re one of them, it’s highly likely that direct sun exposure can cause your skin to develop redness, rashes, bumps, discomfort, or stinging pain.

Since your goal is to get a tan faster, the sun is usually strongest from 1pm to 3pm. Though despite this, be cautious that it’s also the time when the sun’s rays are most harmful.

With that being said, you have the option to wear tanning accelerators with sunscreen on the same time period, or choose to wait after 3pm or go during the morning to avoid damaging rays.

Conclusion

Having naturally tanned skin can look and feel great, but the process of getting a tan can also go wrong for lots of reasons.

Fortunately, there are ways you can get away from common tanning mistakes that can damage your skin!

If you want to get a tan faster without burning, make sure you provide yourself with a quality tan accelerator and sunscreen.

Last but not the least, always keep in mind a few tanning techniques as well as the best time for you to tan as it can be different for everybody.