How to Get a Quick, Safe Sun Tan

In today's quick paced world, it doesn't have to take hours of laying out in the sun in order to get a tanned glow you can enjoy. Follow these steps in order to make your sun tanning experience quicker, more effective, and most importantly, safer.

Step1: Before you hit the outdoors, build a base tan using a tanning booth. This will control the amount of UV light your untanned body receives and will prepare it to protect itself from the actual sun by encouraging your skin to start producing melanin. Melanin is the natural tan-causing aspect of your skin and acts as a barrier to UV light, like a natural sunscreen. It will also help you tan more quickly once your out in the sun.

Step2: Use sunscreens that have a low SPF. In this way, you will limit at least some of the harshest rays from reaching your skin while still allowing yourself to develop a tan. Reapply often, every 20 minutes.

Step3: Use sunscreen underneath tanning oil. Tanning oils tend not to have as much SPF as sunscreens, so smooth on a medium SPF sunscreen before you spray the oil. Oils do help you tan quicker, limiting your exposure, but they can also induce burning, which is a big no-no if you're trying to stay safe.

Step4: Buy no-tan-line bikinis. These swimsuits are made from a special fabric that allows UV rays to penetrate and gives you an even tan without obvious tan lines. Make sure to apply sunscreen on your entire body before dawning your swimsuit.

Step5: Don't spend more than 2 hours outside and make sure the sun light you get is as indirect as possible. Avoid the sun between noon and 3p.m.

Step6: Remember that you can actually burn more easily if you are on or near the water. This is because the water surface acts like a mirror and the rays bounce off and hit you, giving you more exposure.

Prevent burning at all costs and remember that a good, safe tan is built in layers and over time. A few, short sun tan sessions are much more effective, long lasting, and safer than hours of sun exposure at once. People with very fair skin, or who have a family history of skin cancer, should avoid natural sun tanning completely. Try indoor tanning lotions and spray tanning instead. Sure you want to look good, but you want to look good for many healthy years.