Can You Tan Through Water? Everything You Need To Know
Many of us really enjoy a summer’s day spent in the pool, cooling off from the hot rays of the sun.
It is common knowledge to avoid extended periods of exposure to the sun where possible, but is your skin safe from tanning when underwater?
Can you tan through water?
Yes, you can easily tan through water if it is clear and shallow. UVB rays don’t reach past a few meters of water.
Whether you look to continue tanning while taking a dip in the pool or try to find shelter from the sun underwater, here is everything you need to know about the possibility of tanning through the water.
Tanning Through Water
Sunlight cannot penetrate fully through water, but can it still tan skin underwater?
UV rays, which are responsible for sunburn, are absorbed by water, but not fully until a few meters below the surface.
This means that your skin can become burnt or tanned when in contact with the surface of the water.
Water reflects around 30% of UV rays from the sun, but just at the surface, there is an intensity of 70% of UV rays left.
Sitting at the surface of the water with no protection can lead to sunburn, just as it would sitting out in the sun without protection.
Water that is half a meter deep will still allow 40 percent of UV-B rays to pass through, which can still cause serious sunburn.
You might not be aware of the sunburn as it happens, as the water will have a cooling effect on your skin, and it won’t feel as hot as it would outside the water.
Why You Might Tan Faster In Water
At times, it might seem as though you tan faster in water than sitting next to the pool, completely dry.
This might seem like a myth, but it is true that at times you might suntan faster when in water.
There are two reasons for this: loss of efficacy of sunscreen and the reflection of the sun on the water.
Sunscreen
There are sunscreens available that claim to be waterproof, but you cannot always rely on this.
When exposed to the sun, reapply sunscreen every couple of hours, depending on the SPF, to ensure it continues to effectively protect your skin.
However, this protection may weaken or wash off when you enter the water.
You might not have waited long enough for the sunscreen to set in, or the sunscreen might not be waterproof enough.
This could lead to your skin being less protected when in the water, which is why it might seem that you burn more easily in water.
It just has to do with your protection wearing off more when wet.
Reflection
It is completely possible to be sunburned by the reflection of light on water. Not only will your skin be exposed to direct UV rays, but it will also be hit with UV rays reflecting from the surface of the water. This is almost like double damage done to your skin.
Your upper body will most likely be exposed outside the water, and your face and shoulders will be more susceptible to the reflective UV rays from the water’s surface.
This can cause serious sunburn to your skin, so try to stay in the shade in the water if any is available.
Can You Tan In Any Water?
The tan you get from tanning underwater differs due to the type of water you are tanning in.
Clean, clear bodies of water, free from pollution, such as swimming pools, will be easier to tan in.
This is because there is little to stop the UV rays from penetrating the water’s surface.
Murky, dirty bodies of water, such as lakes or dams, are harder to tan through.
The excess mud and debris stop the sun from penetrating deep into the water, which means your skin will not be exposed to too many UV rays, which could cause a tan.
The light absorption of the water plays a big role in the tanning difference experienced in varying bodies of water.
UV rays are absorbed less in clear bodies of water, whereas UV rays are absorbed more in murky waters..
Deeper Water
The deeper you are in the water, the less likely you are to develop a tan. This is due to the light absorption of the water; the further down you go, the less light there is available.
This does not mean that you can ditch the sunscreen. You should always apply a liberal amount of sunscreen to your skin throughout the day, even if you are spending time in the water.
There is still a good chance of you getting sunburned, whether from UV rays reaching down into the water or from the reflection of UV rays at the water’s surface.
UVA rays and UVB rays can both cause serious damage to the skin, especially when there is no protection in place.
How To Protect Your Skin Under Water
There is no need to shy away from swimming just because you are worried about tanning underwater.
There are several effective ways to protect your skin from tanning while underwater.
Sunscreen
The most obvious protection for the skin is sunscreen.
Ensure that you select a high SPF sunscreen, and one that is specifically designed for use underwater as well.
Sunscreens that are not water-resistant will wash away the moment your skin gets wet, and with it, all the protection for your skin will be lost.t.
Protective clothing
You can purchase protective clothing for swimming. A wide range of sun-protective clothing is available at most swim stores, including full-sleeved rash vests and leggings.
These do a great job of protecting skin from the sun, but make sure to check that the clothing has been made from sun-protective material..
Wide-brimmed hat
It is essential to remember the most vulnerable parts of your body that are likely to be burned, such as your head, face, neck, and shoulders.
Your upper body will most likely not be underwater for too long, but it is at risk of burning from the reflective rays of the water.
A wide-brimmed hat will offer much-needed shade and protection to your shoulders and face. Once again, be sure to check that the hat has been made from protective materials and does not have any holes or gaps.
A wide-brimmed hat is preferable to a peaked hat, as it provides protection all around. pretty cute sunhats on Amazon to choose from!
Keep hydrated
Hydration is crucial when spending time in the sun and in the water. The sun is great at dehydrating your skin and body, so remember to stay hydrated by maintaining a steady intake of fluids when outdoors.
Keeping hydrated will also help you recover from a sunburn much quicker.
Moisturize
Be sure to moisturize your skin after spending time out in the pool and sun.
Your skin, exposed to UV rays, will be in need of moisture, and a daily nourishing lotion should provide it with the extra care it needs to recover from sun exposure and minimize the damage caused by sunburn.
Related Questions
Can I tan in the shade?
It is possible to tan in the shade. You do not have to be in direct sunlight to tan. Your skin can still be affected by UV rays that are reflected from the environment around you.
These secondary radiation rays from surroundings, such as sand or snow, can still damage and tan your skin.
You can even tan when sitting underneath an umbrella, provided the material is not a sun-protective fabric.
Can I tan while wearing sunscreen?
Yes, you can tan while wearing sunscreen. The amount of tan you get will depend on the strength of the sunscreen you are wearing and how often you reapply the sunscreen.
It is essential to note that SPF protection refers to the protection provided against UVA rays, which are responsible for causing skin to burn, and not UVB rays, which contribute to skin aging with prolonged exposure.
Can I tan in the evening?
Tanning in the evening, after 4 pm, is recommended for those who are prone to severe sunburn or skin damage.
It will take a bit longer to tan in the evening, but it is less likely to damage your skin when tanning at this time of day, as your skin won’t be vulnerable to direct, strong UV rays as it would be earlier on in the day.
Tanning Underwater
It is completely possible to tan underwater, as long as you are not too deep underwater.
UV rays can penetrate a certain distance down into the water, weakening as they go deeper. However, these UV rays can still cause skin tanning and sun damage.
Remember to protect your skin, even when in the water, as clear water can still cause serious tanning.
Wear waterproof sunscreen and sun-protective clothing to ensure your skin does not suffer excessive damage, even while underwater.
