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.
Because your face, arms, back, and the tops of your feet are most easily hit by direct sunlight, they will tan more quickly and, over time, more efficiently than your legs, which simply don't have as much opportunity to be hit by direct sunlight unless you are laying down.
Sun Exposure: Areas of your body that are more exposed to sunlight, such as your arms and face, tend to tan more than covered areas like your legs. If you spend more time outdoors without protecting your skin, those areas may darken while your legs remain lighter.
Exfoliate: Before tanning, exfoliate your legs to remove dead skin cells. This helps your skin absorb sunlight more effectively. Use Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. This prevents sunburn and promotes a safer, more gradual tan.
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.
Which Option Is Quicker? Stand-up tanning might be the better option if you're looking to get in and out quickly. Due to their higher-intensity UV lamps, a 10- to 15-minute session in a stand-up booth can often deliver the same tanning results as a 20-minute session in a lay-down bed.
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.
Fair skin can tan under the sun, but only with care. Start with short, consistent exposure, about 10-15 minutes a day during safer times like early morning or late afternoon. Always wear sunscreen (yes, even when aiming for a tan) and reapply it as directed.
Therefore, what will determine whether a person can tan or simply turn red is both the amount of melanin produced by their skin cells and its quality. Or, the ratio between “good and bad” melanin.
Look into a mirror in natural light. Artificial lighting can alter the appearance of your natural skin colour. Notice the colour of the skin along your jawline or behind your ear. These areas typically tend to show your skin tone in its purest form, without any redness or discolouration that could get in the way.
In many cases, skin discoloration on the legs is due to a skin condition. However, this symptom can also indicate poor circulation or an underlying metabolic condition. People may experience hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation on their legs.
Difficult-to-tan areas (e.g. leg skin, palms) are those where the skin has fewer melanocytes than other areas of the body that get more sun exposure. What are melanocytes? They are cells that produce pigment, which is released during a tanning bed session, entering the epidermis.
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.
Keep your skin's moisture.
The skin on your legs is dryer so keeping it moisturised both before and after tanning will assist in making the most of the tanning session. A smooth, hydrated and soft skin assists the UV light to be absorbed and intensify the process of melanin production.
Fair Skin: If you have fair skin (skin type 1 or 2), your skin is more sensitive to UV and prone to burning. You may need to start with short, low-intensity sessions and gradually increase the time. Trying to tan too quickly can lead to burning, which will hinder your tanning progress.
According to a study called “Shades of beauty,” light brown skin tones are often the most physically attractive skin color (Frisby et al., 2006). They used four models for that study. They did not change the skin tone, but they imaged each model to three different skin tones: light, medium, and dark.
Fruit and veg that's high in beta carotene, which can help you tan, but without burning. Beta-carotene is widely recognised as being an excellent antioxidant that fights free radicals and reduces skin damage and oxidative stress on the skin, helping limit the harmful effects of UV light.
Type IV – Brown skin color, brown hair, and brown eyes, tans more than average, rarely burns, and rarely freckles. Common ethnic background: the Mediterranean, Southern European, Hispanic.