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. "What is burning for one body site is not for another.
Using scientific instruments they measured the precise depth of tan achieved. They found buttocks were particularly resistant to tanning, staying whiter than backs despite the same exposure. But this does not mean that it is more resilient to the sun's harmful rays, say the researchers.
Your face and upper body are more likely to receive direct sun - that is, sun that hits your skin at a 90 degree angle. Your legs, on the other hand, get sunlight at a shallow angle for most of the day, and only get direct sunlight at dawn and dusk when it's less intense.
Notoriously awkward places to tan include the face, knees, elbows and back. For a professional looking fake tan it is essential that you don't miss out these places when applying your sunless tanning product. Applying fake tan to your face is easy when you know how!
The professional indoor tanning industry promotes and teaches what we refer to as The Golden Rule of Smart Tanning: Don't ever sunburn. The indoor tanning industry has been more effective at teaching sunburn prevention than those who promote complete sun avoidance.
Compared to the rest of the body, skin on the legs does not produce the same amount of melanin, which results in legs getting less tan. Skin on the legs is thicker and harder and the UV light from the sun or sunbeds cannot easily penetrate it.
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.
Pale or white skin burns easily and tans slowly and poorly: it needs more protection against sun exposure. Darker skin burns less and tans more easily. It is also more prone to develop postinflammatory pigmentation after injury (brown marks).
Spray tanning with hairy legs is absolutely your personal choice. However, bear in mind, excessive hair can hinder an even tan. It's recommended to remove unwanted body hair before the session for better results.
The skin on your legs is thicker and has less melanin than other body parts, meaning it takes more time and effort to achieve the desired tan.
While often associated with good health, the “glow” of a tan is the very opposite of healthy; it is evidence of DNA injury to your skin. Tanning damages your skin cells and speeds up visible signs of aging.
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.
Asians in general have more melanin and more numerous melanocytes in the skin compared to Caucasian skin. Even fair-skinned Asians have more melanocytes than most Caucasians. These pigment-producing cells or melanocytes in Asians tend to be more sensitive to ultraviolet light (UV), such as the sun and tanning booths.
Because vitiligo spots have no melanin, they can't tan. If the skin isn't protected with sunscreen, vitiligo patches may burn or scar. Getting a tan on the rest of your body will only highlight the white patches, especially if you have light skin.
The positive effect of a tan could be attributed to the fact that it provides a uniform light reflection with a continuous blend of light and shadow, in contrast to pale skin that is commonly associated with pigmentation differences and sharp shadows.
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.
Skin tone and pigmentation. Pale to fair skin burns fastest and tans slower based on melanin content and genetic disposition.