Uneven tans can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you've put in the effort to get an incredible tan. This is why we're going to show you how to get an even tan so that you don't have to deal with getting rid of tan lines later.
Whether you're tanning naturally in the sun or using self-tanning products, you want to ensure that your body is evenly tanned. So let's look at how to get an even tan in simple steps.
How to Get An Even Tan Naturally
We're going to look at how to get an even tan when you're using natural tanning. Here are the steps to follow.
Step 1: Exfoliate Your Skin
You want your skin to be as soft as possible when you're tanning. Therefore, consider scrubbing your skin with your best exfoliant a week before you have your tanning session.
This will remove dead skin from your body and also allow you to have an even tan. Remember to confirm that the exfoliant you're using is good for sensitive skin if you have one.
Step 2: Moisturize
You can never go wrong with moisturizing. Whether you have sensitive skin or not, moisturizing your skin will always feel good and improve the health of your skin.
When you're tanning, moisturizing the night before can yield amazing results. You can either use a tanning lotion or natural oils to moisturize.
Feel free to apply the moisturizer on your legs, arms, and any other body part you want to tan.
Step 3: Apply Sunscreen
This is a very important part of your tanning process. You want to protect your skin from sunburn. So, what is the best time to apply sunscreen? About 15-30 minutes before you're session should be perfect.
This will allow the sunscreen to stick to your skin and provide you with adequate sun protection. In addition, wearing sunscreen protects your skin from harmful UV rays and UVB rays.
A sunscreen with SPF 15 or SPF 30 will offer you adequate protection and allow you to tan evenly. If you have sensitive skin on your face, consider using facial sunscreen or other beauty products to protect your face.
Feel free to reapply the sunscreen every two hours if need be.
Step 4: Wear A Protective Hat and Sunglasses
The last thing you want to deal with is the discomfort of direct sunlight on your face. You may have tanning lotions and natural oils to protect your skin, but you need a good pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes.
A wide-brimmed hat will do a great job while still allowing you to look stylish. Imagine yourself relaxing on your best lounge chair as the sun works its magic. Wouldn't that be great? Unfortunately, the skin on your face is a lot more sensitive than that on other parts of your body.
Therefore, if you can get a spot in the shade, that'd be even better. Lounging under shade will protect your skin from direct sunlight. Of course, you also choose to stay in direct sunlight and go in the shade when you're taking breaks.
Step 5: Turn Over Every 20-30 Minutes
One of the common causes of an uneven tan is sunburn. To avoid this, consider lying on your back for 20-30 minutes and then flipping over to lying on your stomach for another 20-30 minutes.
Although you may be tempted to extend this time, resist the urge to avoid excess sun exposure. Extending the time can also lead to an uneven tan which is the opposite of what you want. So, how many times should you flip over?
The tanning session should last about 1 hour. Therefore, based on how long you'll tan before you flip, you'll know how many times to do it. We cannot emphasize enough the fact that you should not overdo your tanning session.
The more exposure you have to the sun, the more at risk you are for skin cancer, burns, and other skin conditions.
Step 6: Apply After-Care Lotion
Once you're done naturally tanning, hop in the shower and carefully towel dry your skin. Be careful not to be very rough with your skin as it may still be sensitive to sun exposure. Instead, use a good lotion with the label "after-care" on it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting An Even Tan
When is the best time to tan?
Safe periods of the day for naturally tanning are before 10 AM and after 4 PM. The sun produces its strongest rays between 10 AM and 4 PM, and these aren't safe for you.
Therefore, try and aim for early morning or late afternoon when tanning. This will protect you from sunburn and harmful UV rays.
Are tanning beds safe?
Tanning beds are as safe as they can be. However, compared to natural sunlight, they are said to be more harmful.
Therefore, if safety is your priority, consider a natural tanning session as compared to a tanning bed.
Image source: india.com
