Exfoliate: Before tanning, exfoliate your legs to remove dead skin cells. This helps your skin absorb sunlight more effectively. Use Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. This prevents sunburn and promotes a safer, more gradual tan.
Previous research by Rees has confirmed what sun worshippers already knew: that the upper back is much more likely to tan than the legs, and that the outsides of the arms go brown far quicker than the insides.
The skin on most areas of your legs is thicker and harder than the rest of your body and ultraviolet (UV) rays can't easily penetrate it. The skin here is also dryer, resulting in quicker exfoliation of the outer layers. On top of that, dry skin deflects UV light, making the whole tanning process less effective.
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You don't necessarily tan faster in water or laying out. This is because water reflects UV rays, so you may not be getting as much exposure as you think if you're actually in the pool.
First, your legs may be exposed to more sunlight than the rest of your body, e.g., if you're wearing shorts. Second, the skin on your legs is usually thinner than the skin on other parts of your body, so the UV rays can penetrate it more easily.
Tips for Tanning Your Legs Outdoors in Natural UV Light:
Choose the right time of day: The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. To get the best tan on your legs, expose them to the sun during this time. However, be mindful of the risk of sunburn and avoid overexposure.
Which Option Is Quicker? Stand-up tanning might be the better option if you're looking to get in and out quickly. Due to their higher-intensity UV lamps, a 10- to 15-minute session in a stand-up booth can often deliver the same tanning results as a 20-minute session in a lay-down bed.
The top 10 fastest times around the track are displayed on the Tan Digital Clocks next to the official start of the course, with the current records of 10:08 set by Australian long distance and middle distance runner Craig Mottram in 2006, and 11:31 by Jessica Hull in 2023.
Dark tone is at the other end of the spectrum and is characterised by its rich, deep appearance due to higher amounts of melanin. People with darker skin tones rarely burn but tan very easily when exposed to more prolonged sun exposure.
Papaya: Like carrots, orange fruits and vegetables, such as papaya, help to enhance your tan naturally thanks to its high beta-carotene levels. Melon: This refreshing fruit, rich in antioxidants and beta-carotenes will help you to keep your golden skin tone.
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In or On the Pool –Water reflects sunlight, so one of the best ways to catch some serious sun is to be in the water, or to lie on water on a floatable device. This means sunlight will reflect off the water and bounce right onto you.
Dust on sunshine. Maria says your beauty utensils will be your best friend when it comes to looking more tanned. "Use a large brush dipped in bronzer and dust it across all the high points of the face, the cheekbones and temples, where the sun naturally hits the face," she suggests.
Less Blood Flow: Legs typically have less blood flow, which can make the tanning process slower compared to areas with better circulation. Angle of the Sun: Depending on how you position yourself while sunbathing, your legs may not receive as much direct sunlight as other body parts.
"DHA has been shown to cause an increase in free radicals in the skin," says Chere Lucas Anthony, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Boca Raton, Fla. "This can contribute to skin aging as the free radicals break down collagen and elastin in the skin, which leads to wrinkling and skin aging."
Consider sunbeds and spray tans. These two methods offer a quicker, more predictable way to achieve that sun-kissed glow. Sunbeds are a great choice if you enjoy the process of tanning but don't have the time or the right weather conditions to tan outdoors.