Tips for Tanning Outside

While you may be used to tanning in a tanning bed or in a salon, often times people want to work on their tan outside, in the comfort of their own home. Though this method can be easy, there are some tips to keep in mind because getting a healthy, golden tan is more than just lying around on the lounge poolside. Below are some helpful tips that will help your outside tanning session go smoothly!

You need to know your skin type and just how long it takes you to tan before you become burned. If you know your skin type then it’s easy to plan the amount of time you need to take to bronze up.

When you’re tanning in your backyard you will want to apply sun tan lotion. It sounds counter productive, but sun tan lotion will prevent you from getting a sunburn. You may not tan as fast with the application of sun tan lotion but you will tan without fear of burning and skin damage. Remember, burned skin can lead to skin damage and will also prematurely age you. Regardless of your skin type, you should apply a tanning lotion that offers at least a 15 sun protection factor – higher if you have fair skin that burns easily.

Find out the best time of day to do your tanning. What part of the day it is will depend on the area of the country in which you live. In some areas in the east, the sun is at its peak around noon, some areas to the west don’t hit peak sun until late afternoon. Knowing when the sun is at its peak will let you reap the full benefits of its rays.

Once you’re done in the sun you will want to shower off the sun tan lotion and liberally apply moisturizer. If your skin is dried out, it will produce less melanin and this will make it harder for your skin to produce a tan. If you keep your skin moisturized from the outside with lotion as well as from the inside by drinking plenty of water, your skin will be glowing with your tan.

So next time you head out from under the tanning lamps and toward the sun, remember these tips to make sure your skin is golden and not red by the end of the session!

Applying Tanning Oil

To speed up your tanning, tanning oil is a must have. Tanning oil can help one achieve a dark, rich tan in a shorter amount of time. While useful in this regard, something to keep in mind is that tanning oil will not protect you from sunburn unless an SPF (sun protection factor) number is listed on the bottle. A lower SPF number can be used if a person already has an established base tan, but as oils are typically meant to increase tans, a high SPF cannot usually be found in a tanning oil product.

There are some tips when applying your tanning oil. Tanning oil has the potential for becoming messy. So, it is a good idea to take precautions.

• Begin by laying a towel anywhere you may sit while applying the tanning oil. 
• Start by squirting a quarter-sized drop of oil into the palm of your hand and rub palms together. This will keep the oil from spilling through your fingers.
• Coat the tops of your feet with tanning oil, continue up your ankles and cover as much of your calves as possible with the remaining amount of oil. At this point, you will need to squirt another quarter-sized amount of tanning oil in your palms. Keep in mind that too much oil is better than putting on too little.
• Continue at the point on your calves where you left off. Move up your legs, ensuring you cover every area of skin which will be touched by the sun.
• Slide your hands around to the back of the knees. Then, cover the front of the knees, bending the knee slightly to stretch the skin smooth.
• Thoroughly cover the thigh area, working up to the bikini line. Refill your hands with the same amount of oil.
• Next, apply the oil to your stomach and lower area of your back. If you have someone who can apply oil to your middle and upper back areas, this is best. If not, spill a small stream of oil at the back of your neck and shoulder blades. Spread it around as best you can while reaching back. 
• Finish up by covering the chest area not covered by your suit, front and back of neck, then face. When covering your face, never apply to the eye area. If you break out easily, look for an oil that states it will not cause break-outs. Or, if using a tanning bed, check hottanningbulbs.com for bulbs which can turn for the face area.
• Wait a few minutes to let the oil soak into your skin before you begin tanning. Check the oil bottle to see how often you should re-apply.