Yes, it's possible to get a tan in the winter, even on cloudy days. The winter sun's UV rays can still reach your skin, though they're less intense than in summer.
During the winter, the sun is at a lower angle relative to the ground. This means that less energy per unit area makes it to the ground. Also it means there is more atmosphere the light has to travel through, and the atmosphere absorbs much of the uv light that would otherwise cause tanning (or burning).
No, the temperature of a climate doesn't have direct effect on skin tone. What may happen is that you may end up spending less time in the sun if it is cold outside and this will minimize any ``tan'' or darkened skin tone caused by sun exposure.
The best way to get a natural looking tan in winter is to use self-tanning products. Self-tanning lotions, sprays, and mousses are available at most drugstores and beauty stores. When using these products, it's important to exfoliate your skin first and apply the product evenly for the most natural look possible.
Low or mid 20s. Any warmer and you feel too hot if you're out for a while in the full sun.
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.
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.
And tanning is caused by UV rays, not by excessive sunlight. This is why the winter sun, even being less dominant in sun rays, remains the potent source of UV rays in winter. As a result, your skin is equally prone to sun tan in winter, as in summer.
Limit The Exposure of Skin to the Sunlight. If you are wondering how to avoid skin darkening in winter, you should limit your contact with sunlight. It would help if you covered more of your skin in winter; this will protect your skin against strong air and sunlight.
If you are returning from a holiday in the sun to a colder environment with little sun, you may notice that your tan will fade even faster. This is because, as the tanned skin cells are shed, the production of melanin (which causes a tan) decreases due to the lack of UV radiation from the sun.
About pale skin
Light-skinned children can look pale in winter because of reduced sun exposure or because they feel cold. In rare cases, pale skin can be a sign of anaemia, infections, breathing issues and other underlying medical conditions.
Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it increases the production of melanin in an attempt to protect the skin from further damage. Melanin is the same pigment that colors your hair, eyes, and skin. The increase in melanin may cause your skin tone to darken over the next 48 hours.
Interestingly, a condition where the skin darkens is common during winter. Major causes of this include the reduced exposure to sunlight that lowers the rate of melanin production within the skin.
Tanning sessions are therefore typically when the weather is clear and sunny, usually between late spring and early fall. However, it is crucial to exercise extra caution during the summer, when the sun's rays are hotter and more intense, and to never forget your hat and sunscreen.
UV radiation is greatest in summer as the sun is high in the sky and its rays pass through less atmosphere before reaching the earth's surface. In winter, the sun is lower in the sky and its rays have a longer course through the atmosphere; more UV radiation is absorbed, and UV levels are lower.
We found that Mel-Ab cells cultured at low temperatures (31 and 34 degrees C) produce less melanin than cells at 37 degrees C. These results were confirmed by experiments upon human melanocytes, demonstrating that the hypopigmenting effect of low temperatures is not cell type dependent.
It is a myth that the winter sun cannot tan our skin. We've heard a lot of theories about the sun not being strong enough in winter. Is it harder to tan in the winter? The truth is, even on the cloudiest days, UV radiation can still reach our skin.
Snow reflects the sun's rays, which is why seasoned winter sports enthusiasts often wear sunscreen. So technically, you can get a tan naturally in the winter. If you spend enough time outdoors with exposed skin, UV rays will do their work.
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.
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.