Sunscreen only extends the length of time until burning takes place, it does not impact how deeply a person will tan or how long it will take to show a tan.
In the end, no sunscreen can completely prevent tanning if exposing skin to the sun for extended periods. The myth persists that lower SPF sunscreens aid tanning while higher SPF prevents it. In reality, tanning depends more on sun exposure time, skin tone, and a sunscreen's UVA blocking capacity than the SPF alone.
You can tan with sunscreen, but of course it won't happen as fast; it'll be more gradual. And just because there's sunscreen involved doesn't mean that it's a ``safe tan.'' Your skin is still getting damaged. If you want the tan without the risk, you'll have to go the fake route.
“Of course you can still get a tan while wearing sunscreen,” says Vanda Serrador, facialist and founder of Urban Skin. “It all depends on the strength of the SPF.” Simply put, the SPF number is a measure of how long your skin can be in direct sunlight without beginning to get red or sunburn.
Is 30 minutes a day enough to tan? It depends on your skin type. Those with fair skin likely need a bit longer, while people with darker skin may only require 15-20 minutes daily. Start slow and gently build UV skin tolerance over multiple sessions for the best color development.
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.
Your Sunscreen Doesn't Have Enough UVA Protection
However, it's the UVA rays that cause tanning. In North America, look for the words “Broad Spectrum” as an indication that the sun filters used in the formulation protect from both UVB and UVA rays.
SPF 50 sunscreen formulas block a greater percentage of UVB rays. This means that the tanning effect will be even slower compared to SPF 30. SPF 50 is recommended for individuals who want to minimize tanning effects.
It has been found that in average conditions, a sunscreen with SPF 50 will last for approximately 3 to 4 hours [9]. If you're on the move, sweating, or in a place with a particularly strong UV index, it is recommended to apply SPF 50 sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), any sun protection product to a degree containing a broad-spectrum rating of SPF 30 or more will guard your skin against sun-related damage including sunburns, skin cancer, early signs of aging, and, you guessed it, tanning.
As previously mentioned, tanning oils have little or no SPF to enable a quicker tan. For this reason, we strongly advise using tanning oil along with other sun protection products. Applying a sunscreen with an SPF before tanning oil, offers a layer of protection.
Is it possible to get a tan with sunscreen on? In short, the answer is yes. Whilst sunscreen works to reflect and absorb the majority of UV rays, it is designed to let a small number through. No sunscreen can block 100% of the sun's UV rays and this enables you to still tan whilst wearing it.
Yes, if you have fair to light skin.
If you have light skin or very light skin, 10 to 30 minutes in the sun is a perfect amount of time for a tan. Much longer than that, and you could start to develop a sunburn.
This happens because “Each of us produces a different quantity and quality of melanin. Melanin is a pigment produced by our cells found in the basal layer of the skin,” explains Dr Puig.
Yes, you will tan faster without sunscreen because your skin is not protected from the sun's rays. This doesn't mean that you should ditch the sunscreen, however. Unprotected exposure to UV rays can lead to skin damage, so it's important to use sunscreen even if you're trying to tan quickly.
But experts don't necessarily think SPF 100 sunscreen is the best choice. This is only slightly better than SPF 30 and 50 (which is blocks 98% of UVB rays). SPF 100 sunscreens can also create a false sense of security in some users, causing them to spend even more time in the sun.
Those at the lower end with pale skin will only ever burn or tan minimally, however, those people with darker skin at the mid or higher end of the scale have a natural ability to produce melanin and tan easily. So, if you have pale skin, you cannot tan beyond a certain point, however long you stay in the sun.
Sunscreen only extends the length of time until burning takes place, it does not impact how deeply a person will tan or how long it will take to show a tan.
Since the amount of melanin you can produce is determined by genetics, some people are more prone to burn, while others tan. Although any skin tone can burn, people with naturally darker skin are less likely to do so.