It is never too late to get a tan and prepare for summer fun times! But have you ever wondered to yourself what the best time to tan throughout the day is? Let’s find them all out together in this article, so you can all have the best results!
Best Time To Tan
1. Timing:
If you have ever been outside on a hot summer day, you will know that around noon is when the sun shines the brightest and hottest out of all times in the day. To be more specific, as the answer to the question “what is a good UV index for tanning?” is from 6-8, the UV index for noontime can go up to 10 or even 11 and more.
You would want to get to your tanning bed from around 10 A.M and 4 P.M. So if you wake up at 9 A.M, you might want to get up and get rushing!
However, the timing is not always like this. You will also have to watch out for the seasons and how the sun positions itself throughout the year based on your location. You will normally get tan (and get sunburnt) most easily from May to August. Still, the degree of effectiveness can also be dependent on your location, as regions at high altitudes will be more severely affected by the sun.
Sometimes, the question of “what UV index is good for tanning?” or “what does the UV index have to be to tan?” will not even matter if the air where you live is too thin. Mountainous places tend to have less strong layers of air protection while sunlight travels. Hence, if you live in that area and try to sunbathe, you’ll get burnt much more quickly.
“How high does the uv index need to be to tan?” If you can, try to aim for at least six, and you will be fine!
2. The Execution:
In case you want to tan and get out of it without being burnt to a crisp, it is a must to pay attention to how you can get tan. Here are some tips from our professionals:
Prepare a refreshing drink! You will need a lot of liquid to stay hydrated under all the heat you try to absorb. Citrus drinks like lemonade, orange juice, and fruit smoothies are definitely good choices. Additionally, you would want to avoid alcoholic drinks since they can make you even more dehydrated.
Be deliberate with sunscreen! Instead of barring you from getting tanned, sunscreens and sunblock products prevent your skin from getting burnt. Make sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours because the layer can only last for that long. Without sunscreen, you may also risk getting skin cancer, so please don’t skip this step!
Turn every hour! If you do not turn around and get some sun for your back as well, you will look like an unevenly fried fish. Moreover, flipping will also prevent you from dozing off in the sun and potentially burning yourself.
Wear eye protection! Your eyeballs are more delicate than you think, and simply shutting your eyelids will not protect your retinas from burning. Burnt retinas will reduce your sight and even make you blind! Put on your best full-protection sunglasses, and you should be fine.
Applying tanning lotion is also a good idea for a longer-lasting tan and a quicker natural bronzed skin! The products help to give your skin an extra boost of moisture to keep the skin glossy and soft afterwards.
The Risks Of Tanning In Long Periods Of Time
Tanning itself is a taxing and risky business, as the sun is a radiating ball of scorching hot air. Even if you feel like the question of “what should the UV index be to tan?” or “when is the best time to tan?” are all redundant because you only want to get pretty-looking skin, the risks of tanning are also worth considering for your own good:
Skin cancer: Being exposed to UVA rays from the sun for a long period of time can severely damage the DNA of your skin cells. Such occurrences can create free radical cells - the leading cause of cancer and cancer-related ailments.
Dehydration (so don’t forget to prepare a water bottle right next to your tanning bed).
Sunburn and heat rashes: The former is caused by careless protection, and the latter is the result of clogged pores.
Premature skin aging: You will get more wrinkles earlier if you do not tan with moderation. Also, you can get more risks of getting dark spots and blemishes as well.
Immune system degradation: Long exposure to UV lights has been proven to cause your immune system to weaken, making your body more susceptible to illness.
If you tan moderately and safely, you may just be lucky enough to avoid all the items on this list. Even though the chances of having any of these diseases are low, that does not mean you should be over-confident at all.
In case you want to get tan but hate laying under direct sun for hours, then we recommend you to have a look at the indoor self-tanner.
How To Avoid Timing
If you do not have the time in the morning and noon to take in the “ginger golden hour,” tanning salons are also viable options. There are many mechanical tanning methods to choose from, like pressure tanning or vertical tanning. In addition, you will receive consultancy on which type is most suitable for your timeframe and your skin conditions before you choose.
However, the risks to your skin and your health as a whole are the same whether you are tanning from the sun or machines. Be sure to moisturize and use sunblock generously before entering either process. Now put on your beach outfit and sunglasses to get started while the sun is still up!
Outro
In conclusion, if you prepare your tanning bed in the timeframe of 10 A.M - 4 P.M, you’re on the right track! After making the best decision on the best time to tan and get your skin ready for the heat, please make sure that you’ve prepared all the necessary equipment for full support! We wish you the best summer ever!
