Can you tan while wearing sunscreen? Sunscreen works to screen, not block, the sun when it reaches your skin. If used correctly, sunscreen prevents the biological process of tanning. Be sure to use it with other measures like wearing a hat, sunglasses and clothing that covers your body.
Self-tanning alternatives achieve a glow without risking skin injury or cancer.
Sunscreen is designed to help protect from harmful ultraviolet radiation. It creates a barrier, reducing UV reaching skin cells. As a result, melanin production is inhibited, leading to slower tanning.
When using sunscreen, UV radiation is not completely blocked, so melanin production still occurs. Most use too little sunscreen to achieve claimed protection. Apply enough 20 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours.
UV rays trigger melanin release to block rays. One sunscreen type blocks UV rays from entering skin. Another converts UV rays into heat, stopping them from burning skin like melanin does.
The Effect of SPF on Tanning
“The SPF number is a measure of how long your skin can be in direct sunlight without beginning to get red or sunburn,” explains Vanda Serrador, facialist and founder of Urban Skin. There is sometimes confusion about whether or not you can still get a tan while wearing sunscreen.
Sunscreen works by creating a barrier between your skin and UV rays. While it reduces the risk of sunburn, it doesn’t entirely prevent skin exposure to UV radiation.
The higher the SPF, the fewer rays can affect your skin. So, you can still get some tan, especially for those skin types that tan easily. The increased melanin production is the skin’s way of protecting itself from the sun.
If you are looking to prevent tanning, find a sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection and has at least an SPF of 30. Higher SPF sunscreens block more of the visible light spectrum associated with tanning. However, no sunscreen can block 100% of UVA rays.
Sunscreen Application and Tanning Safety
"The most common problem with sunscreen is that we tend not to apply enough product," explains Ciraldo. To cover our faces adequately, we really should apply a full two fingers breadth worth of product.
"Most people are not wearing the correct amount of sunscreen, nor reapplying often enough to achieve the SPF level stated on their bottle," which means you may still get a tan even with sunscreen on.
According to board-certified dermatologist Andrea Suarez, M.D., FAAD, "There is no such thing as a safe tan." For maximum tanning potential with minimum damage, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or 50 and limit sun exposure to 10-15 minutes at a time, reapplying as directed.
Remember, if you’re wearing sunscreen, you can tan within one to two hours. Without SPF, lighter skin can darken (or burn) in as little as 10 minutes.
Sunscreen provides protection from UV radiation, which is more important than achieving a good tan.
While your tan only earns you an SPF of 4, your increase in melanin is actually a sign of skin damage. Since sunscreen blocks UV rays, your body doesn’t need to make as much melanin.
To avoid a tan, reapply sunscreen regularly, and implement other sun safety practices.
Tanning oil can be dangerous and may accelerate the risk of sunburn.
In summary, while using sunscreen may result in a reduced level of tan compared to not using any sunscreen at all, it is crucial to prioritize skin safety over achieving a tan.