Why Can’t I Tan?

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Tanning seems to come so easily to many people, but it is highly dependent on various factors. You might find yourself trying your best to tan, only to discover that your skin just does not react, or worse, you end up sunburned.

You might have even been able to tan before, and now, all of a sudden, your tan is stuck at a certain point, and you simply cannot tan.

Why can’t I tan?

There are several reasons why your skin might stop tanning and start burning instead of turning brown. Your skin might have reached a tanning plateau, you might have the wrong skin type for tanning, or you might be using the wrong tanning products.

To help you tan better or find a better alternative to darken your skin, we have covered all you need to know about why you might not be tanning and what you can do to help give your skin a bronzed glow.

There are different reasons why your skin might not tan, or why you might end up burning instead.

To better work with your skin to develop a tan, you need to understand why your skin is not tanning.

These are the main reasons why your skin might not be tanning:

You’ve Reached A Tanning Plateau

If you have previously been able to tan and suddenly your skin is stuck on a certain tan shade, refusing to get any darker, it is very likely that you have reached a tanning plateau.

This occurs when your skin thickens after prolonged tanning, and once your skin reaches a certain thickness, the UV rays are unable to penetrate deeper and therefore cannot tan your skin.

This also happens because your skin becomes drier the longer it is exposed to the sun, and dry skin does not tan very easily either.

Even though your skin may not be tanning in the sun once it reaches its tanning plateau, it is still being damaged by exposure to UV rays. Therefore, it is best to stay out of the sun whenever possible.

Your Skin Type

Skin type plays a significant role in how well your skin can tan. If you have a skin type that does not tan easily, it can explain why you burn instead of turning brown.

Skin types 1 to 3 are most at risk of burning and typically have light to medium skin tones.

Sometimes, a skin type 3 individual might tan, but this is a very gradual and light process, and they should not be exposed to the sun for long periods.

Skin types beyond this, with light brown to dark skin, usually tan much more easily and hardly burn.

Understanding your skin type is essential for tanning safely and protecting your skin from sun damage.

Too High SPF

It is always recommended to wear sunscreen when tanning. You might think that sunscreen will lessen the chance of tanning, but a low SPF of 15 or 20 is really important to try and reduce the damage done to your skin.

You will still be able to tan when wearing sunscreen, but you will at least be protecting your skin from harmful UV rays and lessening the chance that your skin will burn and not tan.

So, you might not be tanning because the sunscreen you are using has too high an SPF. Try to use an SPF of 15 or 20 when out in the sun. If your skin type is fair, then an SPF 30 might be a better option.

Wrong Tanning Time

Tanning time needs to be kept in check to build a sufficient tan while also avoiding excessive sun exposure to prevent skin burns.

You might not be developing a tan because you are not spending enough time in the sun. For lighter skin tones, 10–30 minutes of sun exposure is ideal.

Individuals with darker skin tones can spend more time in the sun, but it should not exceed an hour or so.

The longer you expose your skin to UV rays, the higher your chance of burning; however, you also need to spend enough time in the sun to help develop a tan.

Incorrect Tanning Method

When tanning, ensure your skin is exposed to UV rays that will actually change the color of your skin.

You may be tanning at the wrong time, which can cause your skin to remain the same color and not tan.

The best time to tan is before 10 am and after 3 pm, as the sun is still strong enough to tan your skin at this time, but not strong enough to cause excessive burning.

If your skin burns when you tan, it could be that you are tanning when the sun is too strong, and if you aren’t tanning at all, you might be tanning when the sun is not strong enough.

Have a look at your weather app to find out what the UV index is for the day you want to tan. A UV index of between 3 and 4 is ideal for tanning, as it is neither too weak nor too strong.

Can Fair Skin Types Tan?

Fair skin types can tan, but achieving a tan on fair and pale skin requires a bit more effort. Sometimes, it may not be worth it, as it might do more harm than good.

Your skin type determines how easily you tan and how easily you burn, with fairer skin types burning much more easily than tanning.

Here are some tips that you can use to tan with fair skin:

Use Sunscreen

The first step when trying to tan with fair skin is to use sunscreen. You will only end up with sunburn if you try to tan without sunscreen. In some cases, a sunburn might turn into a tan, but you cannot rely on this, as burning really does just damage your skin.

Wearing SPF 30 with fair skin will allow you to tan while protecting your skin from burning. This helps reduce the amount of damage done and also prevents peeling.

Build Your Tan Slowly

If you have fair skin, you will never be able to develop a deep, dark tan in a single day.

You need to build your tan gradually and spend short periods of time in the sun to start.

Start with 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure during your first two sessions. After this, you can add 5 minutes each time until you can sit in the sun without burning.

This usually works out to between 20 to 25 minutes in the sun each time.

When it comes to a tanning bed, the time you spend tanning is much less. Your first session in a tanning bed should last between 2–3 minutes, increasing your tan by 1 or 2 minutes the next time you tan.

Slow and steady is the best way to develop a tan on fair skin, so you need to be patient enough to do this.

Allow Resting Time

You should tan gradually and in increments, allowing your skin time to rest between tanning sessions.

Sitting in the sun, even when tanning, can cause damage to your skin, so it’s best not to put your skin under this stress every day.

You should allow at least 3 days before tanning again, whether in a tanning bed or in the sun. Longer is better, but if you are building up a base tan, then tanning twice a week should be fine.

Make Use Of Tanning Accelerators

Tanning accelerators will be your best friend when tanning with fair skin. They keep your skin nourished and hydrated when you’re in the sun, which helps you tan faster.

Your time in the sun would be more effective, and you will get the most of the UV rays without burning.

The tanning accelerators will also help your tan develop after you have left the sun, keeping skin hydrated, and they will also help to extend the life of your tan.

Keep Hydrated

Be sure to moisturize your skin daily, even twice daily, when building up a tan. You should also increase your water intake to compensate for the drying effect the sun has on your skin.

What Are Tanning Alternatives?

If you find that your skin has stopped tanning and you are ending up with sunburn rather than a tan, you might want to try a tanning alternative.

Finding a sunless tanning alternative can help protect your skin from any damage done by UV rays, which has far-reaching benefits.

Here are some of the best tanning alternatives to tanning in the sun:

Self-Tanner

Self-tanners are at-home products that you can use yourself to build up a tan. Self-tanner comes in various forms, including lotions, mousses, gels, and foams, all of which work using the same active ingredient.

DHA, the active ingredient in self-tanners, works with the outer layer of your skin cells to darken the skin’s color.

Self-tanners give your skin a golden tan that can last for up to 2 weeks before it starts fading. They offer a great way to get a golden bronzed tone at home without having to spend any time in the sun.

The DHA in self-tanners takes up to 12 hours to develop a darker color on your skin, and how soon you wash your tanning lotion off determines how dark the tan develops.

Spray Tans

Spray tans Are typically applied by professionals and usually result in a smooth, even, and patch-free finish.

A spray tan technician will work with you to select the best formula for your skin and then apply the spray tan evenly.

Spray tan formulas contain DHA, like self-tanners do, and often include a bronzer as well, which provides an instant bronzed tone to enjoy while the DHA develops a darker tone over a few hours.

The bronzer will wash away with the first shower you take.

There are spray tan formulas that are free from bronzer, which might be better suited if you do not want a temporary bronzed glow.

Spray tans will last for up to 2 weeks before fading.

Bronzers

As mentioned above, some spray tans and even self-tanners can contain bronzers.

Bronzers are a temporary color on the skin that washes away with your first shower.

You don’t need to use self-tanner or spray tans to enjoy a bronzer; you can purchase products that contain bronzers only.

This is a good option if you just want a bronzed glow for a day or one night out, and do not want to risk any patches or streaks that might come with using a self-tanner.

Can Everyone Tan?

Whether everyone can tan is not a straightforward question.

Different skin types tan differently, with fairer skin tones often burning more than tanning.

There are ways that fair skin tones can tan, but it isn’t recommended for them to do so. The risk of burning is too high, and the damage done to the skin can be long-lasting.

Even darker skin tones are still susceptible to damage from exposure to UV rays.

So while almost all skin types can tan, not all skin types should. It is best to work with your skin tone, and if you have fairer skin, consider using tanning alternatives, such as self-tanners or spray tans.

How Do You Move On From A Tanning Plateau?

Tanning plateaus occur when your skin has been tanned for too long, and it thickens to the point where UV rays cannot penetrate deeply and further darken the skin.

The best way to move past a tanning plateau is to take a break from tanning for a while.

You need to keep your skin out of the sun for at least a few weeks, allowing the dead skin cells to naturally exfoliate. Gently exfoliating your skin once or twice a week can also help.

Once you have waited a few weeks before tanning again, you should use a tanning accelerator to help your skin make the most of the UV rays, to help it darken once again.

Why Can’t I Tan?

Trying to tan without tanning or burning instead can be really frustrating!

There are various reasons why your skin might not be tanning, and the only way to overcome this is to understand the reason and then work to address it.

Some skin types are not suited for tanning, and in these cases, you should use tanning alternatives, such as spray tans and self-tanners, to protect your skin from burning and still achieve a bronzed glow.

Why Can’t I Tan? – Everything You Need To Know