Don't pass your tan limit
While it may be tempting to sit out in the sun all day to get as tan as possible, this can actually cause sun damage to your skin. It can also increase your risk of getting skin cancer. Most people have a limit to how much melanin they can produce in one day. After about two or three hours of tanning, most people have reached their limit for the day. Staying outside longer than three hours can cause sunburn and opens the door to some scary diseases.
Prep before and after tanning
There are additional steps you can add to your routine before and after tanning to make sure you get the best results. Before you start tanning, use an exfoliator on your skin. This will help remove any dead skin that may flake off while tanning, causing uneven marks in your skin. After tanning, apply aloe vera gel to soothe your skin after being in the sun for so long. It's also a great way to help your tan last longer.
Use SPF 30 sunscreen
While the objective is getting tan, you also need to keep sun safety in mind. Using a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 will help protect you from the sun's harmful UV rays. However, it's not so high of an SPF that you won't get a nice tan. Make sure to use a good amount of sunscreen all over your body within 20 minutes of sun exposure.
Change positions
When you're outside tanning, it can be very tempting to try and stay in one position as long as possible to optimize the amount of tan that you get. However, this can put your skin at risk of getting burned or worse. Instead, try changing positions in order to prevent sunburn and damage from prolonged exposure. Don't worry, it will not affect your tan in the slightest. In fact, it's an added form of protection against sun damage.
Time the tanning session wisely
To get a tan quickly, try getting in the sun between noon to 3 pm when the sun is strongest. However, since the sun’s rays are strongest during these hours, you also might want to practice caution and use a good sunscreen to avoid damage to your skin. If your skin is extremely fair, it’s best to avoid tanning during these hours altogether and stick to tanning in the morning or evening.
