How to get tan to develop quicker?

Author: Prof. Cortez Schuppe  |  Last update: Thursday, October 9, 2025

To get a fast, beautiful and natural tan, see the following tips:
  1. Eat a diet rich in beta-carotenes. ...
  2. Exfoliate your skin. ...
  3. Sunbathe with sunscreen. ...
  4. Moisturize and nourish the skin. ...
  5. Avoid prolonged exposure. ...
  6. Change positions frequently. ...
  7. Take breaks. ...
  8. Use self-tanner.

Can you make tan develop faster?

This is the important part when it comes to how to tan faster: depending on whether you're after a light, medium, or dark toned bronze, leave your self tan on for 1, 2, or 3 hours before rinsing in the shower. Your golden glow will continue to develop over the next 8 hours, leaving skin looking sensationally sunkissed.

How long does it take to get a tan?

Most people tan within 1 to 2 hours, but factors like skin type, weather conditions, and the time of day will play a role. Burns and color may take time to develop, so don't assume you're not tanning if you don't see immediate results.

What speeds up tanning process?

Lotion is 🗝 KEY!

Without a lotion, this can take up to 3 minutes, meaning that both sunbathing and on a sunbed you are wasting tanning time. Lotion helps to moisturise skin, speed up the tanning process, protect tattoos, lengthen the life of your tan, deepen future results and work as an anti-ageing skincare hero.

What accelerates tanning?

Accelerators are tanning creams that speed up your skin's natural melanin production. Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin its colour and protects it from UV rays. By increasing melanin production, accelerators help you develop a base tan faster and more evenly.

Make your own natural self-tanner using only 2 ingredients

Do you tan faster in water or laying out?

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.

Is 30 minutes in the sun enough to tan?

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. No, not if you have light brown to dark brown skin.

What is 10 minutes in a tanning bed equal to?

Ten minutes in a sunbed can be roughly equivalent to 1-2 hours in natural sunlight, depending on factors like sunbed intensity and skin type. However, this varies widely based on geographical location, time of day, and weather conditions. Always adhere to recommended exposure times to minimise skin damage risks.

How to get tan when you're pale?

Tanning Methods for Fair Skin
  1. Natural Sun Tanning. Fair skin can tan under the sun, but only with care. ...
  2. Gradual Tanners and Tanning Lotions. If you're nervous about the sun or prefer a controlled approach, gradual tanners are also an option. ...
  3. Spray Tans and Professional Services. ...
  4. Tanning Beds.

How to get the darkest tan?

6 Top Tanning Tips for a Darker and Long-lasting Tan
  1. Exfoliate your Skin prior to Tanning. ...
  2. Keep your Skin Hydrated and Moisturised. ...
  3. Apply a sunbed cream or tanning accelerator prior tanning.
  4. Remove any kind of makeup and other cosmetic products. ...
  5. Choose foods that accelerate tanning.

Do you get more tan when wet?

This means sunlight will reflect off the water and bounce right onto you. So if you really want to develop that dark tan, dipping in the pool or lying on a lilo on top of water is not only relaxing and cooling, but very effective!

What makes you tan super fast?

To get a tan quickly, you can also apply a self-tanning cream all over your body or get a professional spray tan Self-tanning is effective because it contains DHA, which is a substance capable of reacting with the amino acids present in the skin, resulting in a tanned color.

Does tan still develop after a shower?

Don't fret! Your colour will continue to develop and darken for a few hours (and a spray tan takes up to 24 hours to develop fully). That brown water disappearing down the drain? It wasn't your tan washing away, it was simply the cosmetic bronzer tanning formulators use to help guide you when applying your tan.

Can tan develop in 2 hours?

For a quick tan with Erythrulose (see "Choose the Formula" section), you can shower in as little as 1-3 hours. Classic DHA formulas take longer to develop, so wait 4-8 hours before showering for a deeper tan.

What foods make you more tanned?

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.

How long does it take for a tan to show?

After sun exposure, your skin begins to produce melanin, which is responsible for the tan. This process can take up to 48 hours to fully develop. So, don't be discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Once your tan has developed, it will be at its peak for about two weeks.

How to start tanning bed when pale?

Tanning Bed Tips for Pale Skin

To prevent burning, it's essential to start with a lower-level bed and gradually increase the level as your skin becomes more accustomed to UV rays. Additionally, you should limit your tanning sessions to shorter lengths, such as 3 minutes, and work your way up to longer sessions.

What is the hottest time of day to tan?

UV radiation is generally highest between 10 AM and 3 PM, during the summer, on a cloudless day. Some countries broadcast a UV index for each day on the weather report. However, this does not mean that a scorching hot sunny day is the best day to get a tan.

Why am I not tanning?

One of the biggest factors that affects tanning is your skin type. Not all skin reacts to UV the same way, and understanding your skin type is key to setting realistic tanning goals. For example, if you are a red head and have very light skin, you'll more likely struggle to tan due to low melanin.

Do you still tan when cloudy?

A cloudy sky may not seem like the best choice for tanning, but it is still possible to tan! According to research and studies, around 90% of UV rays penetrate clouds, therefore reaching your skin. Even if you can't feel the sun on your skin, the UV rays that lead to tanning are still present.

Do you tan better, wet or dry?

Moist skin will tan better and more evenly than dry skin. Your skin knows that moisture is important and uses a variety of methods to retain moisture in its surface. Your skin retains water within its natural oils to help them maintain an ordered structure around each skin cell.

How to get a deep tan?

Steps
  1. Exfoliate your skin the night before. Gently scrub the skin with a loofa, bath sponge, or natural scrub product in order to remove dead skin and achieve an even and dark tan. ...
  2. Moisturize with lotion. ...
  3. Wear sunscreen. ...
  4. Try a tanning accelerator.

Can you tan in the shade?

Indeed, elements that are part of our environment, such as sand, snow or the surface of water can reflect sunlight onto our skin. Consequently, our skin comes into contact with harmful UV rays, even when we are under a tree or an umbrella. Therefore, it is entirely possible to tan in the shade.

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