So, you’ve headed out on your beach vacation, slathered on the sunscreen and wondered to yourself “I know I’m now safe from sunburn, but does that mean I won’t get a nice tan to show off when I get back?” Many of us like to get back to work with a sun-kissed glow. It makes you feel good about yourself, right? The question is, does sunscreen prevent tanning?
What we mean by that is if you want to get that post-vacation glow, do you have to spend a little time out in the sun unprotected? That’s what we’ll be looking at now.
So, Does Sunscreen Prevent Tanning?
The question – Does sunscreen prevent tanning? – is commonly asked and it’s pretty easy to answer. No, it doesn’t. What’s more, we want to state right off the bat that you should never go out into the sun without wearing sunscreen just to get a tan. Risking skin aging, burning and more, it’s just not worth it.
You see, you can still get a nice tan while wearing sunscreen. It just happens more slowly. Sunscreen in its various different strengths protects the skin from between 93% to 98% of UV rays, which means that some will still get through. As such, if you spend long enough out in the sun with sunscreen on, you’ll still get a nice glow to your skin. It’s just that you’ll do it safely.
Why Does the Skin Tan Exactly?
Tanning is your skin’s defense mechanism kicking in when UV rays come into contact with its surface. It might look nice and make those white outfits ‘POP!’, but it’s actually a reaction to damage. After being hit by radiation, your skin creates melanin, which helps to protect skin cells.
The rate at which your skin tans depends on your genetics, as well as the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of the sunscreen you’re using. The higher the SPF level, the slower and more gradually your skin will darken. If you’re insistent on getting a tan, it’s one of the safest ways to go about it.
Perhaps the safest way, however, is to use tinted moisturizers which contain something called dihydroxyacetone (DHA) that temporarily darkens the skin. Not only do these products not involve risking long-term sun damage, but they also support the skin with hydration. Furthermore, they can be worn under sunscreen, giving you the look you want and UV protection.
Does Sunscreen Prevent Tanning? No. It Just Slows it Down!
In a nutshell, sunscreen doesn’t completely prevent tanning, it just slows it right down. You’ll get a tan eventually, but you’ll need to be patient. Let’s be honest, the most important part of the equation is to ensure that your skin stays healthy. Sure, it’s nice to have that healthy glow after a vacation, but it most often quickly fades anyway, so why risk it?
So, if you’re desperate to have a tan right away, you should perhaps go for a tanning moisturizer. Most of the time, people can’t tell the difference. Take this option and you can wear sunscreen over the top giving you the best of both worlds.
