US Brits love nothing more than sunbathing - despite the potential risks associated with it. But how long does it take to tan , and can you get a tan in the shade or when using SPF50 sun cream ? Here's what we know. How long does it take to tan in the sun? Put simply, there is no such thing as a safe or healthy tan.
"If you want a tan, it is safer to use spray tan or bottled fake tan products than to sunbathe or use a sunbed," Cancer Research UK warns. Spending time in the sun causes damage, which can lead to wrinkles and cancer . However, many of us will do it anyway - so we need to make sure we're doing it in the safest way possible.
MOST READ IN HEALTH British dermatologists say people in the UK have an unhealthy relationship with tanning . Even though we are aware of the risks of sun exposure, lots of us choose not to change their behaviour, they add. While some people might consider themselves lucky to go golden in just a day, getting the so-called perfect tan takes a while for most people.
Everyone has different skin , which means everyone’s tanning time will vary. Some may gain colour from the sun in a few hours, and others tend to burn if they sunbathe for the same amount of time. The main way to judge roughly how long it will take is by knowing your skin tone and how the sun usually affects you.
This all comes down to melanin. It is a pigment that influences your skin colour, as well as eyes and hair. People with less melanin have fairer skin which burns more easil.