Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Use self-tanner
• Method 2 of 3: Tanning outside
• Method 3 of 3: Safe tanning
• Tips
• Warnings

Anyone with fair skin knows how difficult it can be to get a nice tan. Light skin is more likely to be damaged by the sun's UV rays, causing it to burn more quickly than dark skin. Not only is this painful and unsightly, but it can also lead to long-term health problems such as skin cancer. Fortunately, there are still ways to get a nice tan if you have fair skin.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Use self-tanner

1. Think about possible health risks. While doctors generally say self-tanners are a safe alternative to UV exposure, these products are not without its drawbacks. The active ingredient in most self-tanning products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA reacts with the amino acids in your outer skin layer, causing your skin to tan. There are scientists who have shown that high concentrations of DHA can cause damage to DNA. Still, DHA can be used safely on the skin, as it is largely absorbed by dead skin cells. Minimize your risk by not using an aerosol self-tanner, as it can be inhaled, and by rinsing off any excess self-tanner from your hands. There are also people allergic to this substance, which can cause eczema.
2. Choose the right self tanner. If you have fair skin, buy a self-tanner in the lightest shade possible. Dark self-tanners contain much more DHA. A self-tanner that is too dark can make you look orange or unnaturally brown for someone with fair skin.
3. Exfoliate your skin. By removing the dead skin cells before applying self-tanner, the color will last longer. Scrub gently with a washcloth or loofah. Then pat your skin dry with a towel.
4. Massage the self-tanner into your skin. Avoid the areas close to your eyes, nose, and mouth. There are two ways you can prevent your palms from discoloring:
   • Wear latex gloves when applying the self-tanner.
   • Apply the self-tanner in parts (arms, legs, upper body, face) and wash your hands after each part.
5. Let the self-tanner dry. Wait at least 10 minutes before getting dressed. Wait at least six hours before taking a bath or swimming. Reapply the self-tanner daily until your skin is the shade you want.
6. Try to remove the sun for 24 hours after using a product with DHA. If you do need to be in the sun, put on sunscreen. While DHA provides short-term protection from UV rays, it can also increase the production of reactive oxygen species that react to ultraviolet light. These molecules are largely responsible for sun damage and negatively affect the health and appearance of your skin.

Method 2 of 3: Tanning outside

1. Apply sunscreen to all areas of bare skin 30 minutes before you go out. Buy sunscreen that says it offers "broad spectrum" protection, as it will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Dermatologists recommend using a factor of at least SPF15, but people with fair skin may need to take a higher factor.
2. Reapply the sunscreen if necessary. Most sunscreen manufacturers recommend reapplying every 2 to 3 hours. But often you have to apply before, especially if you have fair skin. Apply another coat of the cream 15 to 30 minutes after doing anything that could have caused the sunscreen to come off your skin, such as sweating, swimming, or towel drying.
3. Get a tan in several short sessions per day, week or even month. Start with just 15 minutes of sunbathing a day. After a week you build it up to a maximum of 30 minutes per day. Get out of the sun earlier if you notice yourself getting sunburned. While many people think that you get tanned fastest when you lie in the sun for a long time, that's usually not true, especially for light people. The optimal time to sit in the sun to stimulate melanin production is only 30 minutes.
4. Do not lie in the sun when it is at its brightest. The harmful UV rays are at their strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Instead, sunbathe early in the morning or late afternoon. If you do want to sunbathe in the heat of the day, put a high factor sunscreen on your skin.
5. Wear a hat and sunglasses. A wide-brimmed hat protects your sensitive scalp while allowing some diffused light to enter your face. Sunglasses protect your eyes from sun damage, which can cause cataracts and other eye problems. Do not fall asleep, or you will get ugly white stripes or burn.
6. Also protect your lips with a lip balm with factor. Your lips can burn just as quickly as the rest of your skin. They also dry out quickly from the sun, leaving you with sore chapped lips. A factor lip balm protects you from both types of damage.

Method 3 of 3: Safe tanning

1. Remember, you can never sunbathe completely safely. Even tanning gently can cause long-term health problems. Dermatologists claim that your skin is always damaged when you get a tan from the sun. Make sure you weigh the cosmetic benefits against the longer-term health risks.
2. Think about the medications you are taking. Certain medications, such as retinoids and certain antibiotics, can dramatically increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight. Before you sunbathe, you should carefully read all the information leaflets for your medicines, vitamins and supplements. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
   • If you use nutritional supplements, it is important to do your own research. These types of supplements do not always list the side effects or warnings, as is the case with medicines.
3. Do not use the tanning bed. The tanning bed uses highly concentrated UV rays, which are often too strong for fair skin. Although tanning beds are often seen as a safe alternative to natural sunlight, they have a number of health risks:
   • Premature aging of the skin.
   • Eye diseases that can make you go blind.
   • Infectious diseases such as herpes and warts from poorly cleaned tanning beds.
4. Do not use tanning pills with canthaxanthin. There are no approved pills yet that can darken your skin tone. Tanning pills often contain the pigment canthaxanthin, which cannot be sold in the Netherlands. If you ingest a lot of it, it can damage the eyes, skin and digestive system.

Tips

• If you are using makeup, you can also apply bronzer as a temporary alternative to get a nice tan.
• Even though it may be hip to be a tan, try to be happy with your natural skin tone. Your skin will then remain healthier, and you will save a lot of time and effort.
• Your health is much more important than a nice tan.

Warnings

• Stop using skin products if they cause irritation.
• If you feel your skin starting to burn, immediately step into the shade.
• Don't believe in the popular misconception that tanned skin is protected from sun damage. Research has shown that people with fair skin who have tanned a bit can only use sunscreen by a factor of 2 or 3 less than normal. Remember to always use at least factor 15 to protect your skin properly.