Being tan is a status symbol. It means you’ve spent time outside instead of locked away in a cubicle. It also implies that you’re healthy since pale complexions are subconsciously associated with sickness. This is especially true for men since we as a culture still value male ruggedness. Men who spend all their time inside are sometimes thought to be less desirable than those who are perceived as active and vital.
Whether or not you think about these things often, you probably think you look better with a tan. Color in your skin has the ability to hide imperfections, smooth the appearance of skin, and even mask the appearance of blemishes like real-life Photoshop. It can also be an optical illusion by highlighting muscle tone (that’s why bodybuilders are always very, very tan).
But we’re in a tough spot. We still want to be tan, as a culture, but we also know that getting tan the traditional way is very bad. The science behind the effects of UV rays (sun damage, premature aging, skin cancer) is enough to keep you locked in your house with the shades drawn. How do you justify your deep need to be tan with your knowledge that it could kill you? There are plenty of ways.
To understand why tanning can be risky, you first need to understand how you get tan in the first place. It’s all thanks to UV rays from the sun, which penetrate the top layer of your skin. There they trigger the production of melanin, the substance that produces dark pigment and keeps your skin from burning and is what gives people different skin tones. As melanin is produced, your skin gradually gets darker. Your body has a limit to how much melanin it can produce and once that limit has been reached, sunburn happens (regardless of how much sunscreen you’re wearing).
The production of melanin isn’t bad, but pushing the limit is. Once your body’s natural defenses are spent, the UV rays begin to damage the very DNA of your cells. Your body floods the areas with blood to try to help heal the damaged cells. This can mean a painful, inflamed sunburn in the short term and mutated cells that lead to skin cancer in the long term.
UV rays also create free radicals, tiny molecules that steal electrons from others and damage them in the process. Free radical damage has also been linked to skin cancer as well as premature aging. The issue with all of this is that sun damage from UV rays is unavoidable but can be controlled; purposefully damaging the skin in order to obtain a golden tan is walking a dangerous line.
Despite the negative effects of UV rays on your long-term health, you probably don’t want to spend your life as pale as a ghost. After all, this knowledge hasn’t done a lot to change your obsession with being tan. Luckily, along with this knowledge comes ways to get tan safer and quicker than frying on a beach.
Sunscreen is your best defense against the sun’s damaging rays (see Part 4 for more on this). You should be wearing it every day, especially on your face. It’s even more important any time you’re purposefully spending long periods of time outside. You’ll still get tan, but it may just take longer. Remember to never use sunscreen with less than SPF 30.
Sunless tanning products use a chemical called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which reacts to dead cells on the surface of your skin and temporarily darkens them. It’s not the same melanin-producing process as getting a natural tan and doesn’t last quite as long, but gives the look of a tan without risking skin cancer down the road. Sunless tanning products come in a variety of forms like sprays, mousses, creams, and drops. Most of them give only slight color in one use and are designed to use consistently until you build up the color you want. At-home products are plentiful, but professional spray tans are also available and exceedingly popular for the same reason you don’t want to cut your own hair: They look far better if left to a professional.
Bronzers are useful for a very temporary tan fix, especially on your face. They come in a variety of forms like powder, gels, and creams and are useful if you want to look tan immediately. The easiest bronzers for most men to use are gels, which can be applied to your face by themselves or mixed with a moisturizer. Try a little bit first and add more if you want more color. Be careful of putting it on your neck if you’re wearing light-colored clothing. Make sure to wash your face at the end of the day to prevent buildup in your pores and stains on your pillowcase.
Sunless tanning products can give you a natural-looking tan as long as you know the right way to use them.
No matter where you’re applying sunless tanner, exfoliate thoroughly first. Removing dead skin cells will ensure a more even result.
Applying sunless tanner to dry skin makes it appear more even since water can dilute the product and thereby cause spotting or streaks.
Using circular motions, massage the product into the areas you want to tan, making sure to work the product completely into your skin.
Areas like elbows and knees tend to absorb more self-tanner because they are usually drier. Use a light touch on these areas.
After applying the product, wash your hands thoroughly to get all the tanner off. If left on your hands, it can make them look dirty or even orange.
Different products take different amounts of time to work. Leave the product on only for the recommended time (which could be anywhere from a few minutes to overnight).
Make sure to let your body dry completely before getting dressed to decrease the risk of uneven results.
Once the tan has dried, keep your body well hydrated with lotion or cream. The enemy of any tan, natural or sunless, is dehydration.
If this sounds too complicated to you, get a professional spray tan instead. Use online review sites and look at before-and-after pictures to find a provider with the best results.