Science tells us that there's no such thing as a safe tanning bed, tanning booth, or sun lamp. Indoor tanning can increase the risk of developing the two most common types of skin cancer — squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%.
According to Dr. Peter Katz, board-certified dermatologist with Forefront Dermatology, “there is no such thing as a healthy or safe tan. Tanned skin is a result of damage to the skin cells, your skin producing pigment in response to UV damage in an attempt to protect itself.
Lotions and gels are the most popular, with advocates touting benefits like hydration, reduced breakouts and refreshed skin. Self-tanning products offer users a bronzed glow without the risk of UV damage.
As others have said, there is no way to safely tan. Tan IS sun damage. Unfortunately, it can't always be avoided, but sitting in the shade, using a high SPF/good sun lotion is the best protection.
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.
For instance, individuals with fair to medium skin tones may achieve satisfactory results in approximately 6 minutes on a sunbed. However, it's crucial to adjust the duration based on skin sensitivity and tanning goals.
Health Benefits
Several health benefit claims such as improved appearance, enhanced mood, and increased vitamin D levels have been attributed to tanning. Furthermore, the Indoor Tanning Association claims that “catching some rays may lengthen your life” [5].
Myth: It's possible to get a tan from the sun safely.
Fact: There is no safe way to get a tan from the sun. Skin tanning is caused by ultraviolet light: specifically, UVA and UVB rays. This ultraviolet light directly damages DNA and leads to the creation of reactive oxygen species in skin cells.
⭐️ Typically they contain Beta-carotene, a type of vitamin A that gives yellow, orange, and red fruits & veggies their pigment. ⭐️ While they promise to give you a “natural tan,” in reality they simply stain your skin orange. You could get the same effect by eating carrots or drinking carrot juice.
Lemon juice has a whitening effect, which helps in rapid body tan removal. Fresh lemon juice should be applied to the skin with honey. It should be allowed to sit for 30 minutes before being washed away. One can also combine some sugar with the lemon juice and gently scrape the skin to remove dead skin cells.
Ardell Body Drench Quick Tan Instant Self-Tanner
Kim Kardashian flashed her own bottle of Body Drench when showing off her travel makeup bag — and she definitely knows a good sunless tan! If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course.
Therefore, to ensure a natural and long-lasting tan, it is recommended that you stay in the sun for a maximum of 2-3 hours in a day, or even less in the case of very fair-skinned people. Be sure to use sunscreen, and to sunbathe when UV radiation is not as strong, which is before 10 am and after 4 pm.
Tanning beds are NOT safer than the sun.
Science tells us that there's no such thing as a safe tanning bed, tanning booth, or sun lamp. Indoor tanning can increase the risk of developing the two most common types of skin cancer — squamous cell carcinoma by 58% and basal cell carcinoma by 24%.
Yes, tan accelerators work - even on fair skin! They help boost melanin production, making it easier to achieve a tan. If you have fair skin, start gradually with sunbeds, and remember that accelerators don't replace the need for sun protection when outdoors.
Moderate tanning of 2-3 sessions a week is OK for everyone else but ensure you rest the skin for a minimum of 24 hours between each session and at least 48 hours for skin type 2. The European Standard advises not to exceed 60 sessions per annum.
Opt for sunless self-tanners or spray tans. These are available in many forms, including lotions, sprays, and creams. The Skin Cancer Foundation advocates that no tan is a safe tan, and that regardless of whether women decide to go with their own glow or use sunless tanning methods, they avoid UV tanning.
Indoor tanning is more addictive than you might think. The allure lies in the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals triggered by exposure to UV rays. When you're basking under those warm lights, your brain gets a surge of these mood-enhancing chemicals, creating a euphoric sensation.
There is NO safe way to use a sunbed ! The WHO has classified sunbeds as a group 1 carcinogen—this means they are proven to cause cancer1. They are not suitable as a source of vitamin D. Any vitamin D you might get through using a sunbed is outweighed by the harms of using sunbeds.
Indoor tanning speeds up skin aging
Indoor tanning is known to cause wrinkles, brown spots and thick leathery skin. Indoor tanning ages your skin 3 times faster than sunlight: indoor tanning can emit up to 15 times more UV radiation than sunlight.