Every skin is different and has different needs and different reactions to the sun. Understanding that your skin reacts differently to outside factors as your age is important.
Many people like their natural skin and love the natural tanning of their skin. Many people can go beyond limits to get tanned skin. At this point, it is crucial to know that sun exposure beyond a certain limit leads to premature aging, sun damage, and even skin cancer. The harmful UV rays penetrate deeper into the skin if exposed to the sun for hours.
So, if you wish to get a natural tan, ensure to take precautions so you may not tan excessively.
If, at a certain point, you realize that you are not getting tanned as you used to do in the past, this is where you need to understand that your skin has changed.
Why is My Skin not Tanning Anymore?
As stated earlier, every skin reacts differently when exposed to outside factors. Every person has a varied aging pattern; similarly, every person has different tanning patterns. Probably it’s the tanning plateau that is stopping your skin from tanning, or it may be due to other factors such as age, underlying health conditions, products or medications you are using, etc.
If you want to know what should be done to get naturally tanned skin, it is important to understand the causes which are preventing you from tanning.
Using Too Much Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an essential product to put on the face to save your skin from sun damage and developing skin cancer. Sunscreen also protects the skin from early aging and prevents hyperpigmentation.
A sunscreen with a higher SPF reduces the chances of skin damage, and you can easily go out under the sun without worrying about sun rays’ penetration. But applying a higher sunscreen SPF is unnecessary if you wish for tanned skin.
Outdated Bronzers
Bronzers are great for enhancing skin tanning. There are various types of bronzers made for outdoor and indoor tanning. They get activated under the sun or by the tanning bed bulbs. After the bronzer is activated, it darkens the skin faster, and your skin gets a natural-looking tan.
While purchasing a bronzer, you should know the fact that indoor bronzers do not work properly in the outdoor sun. Likewise, the bronzers which are manufactured for outdoor tanning do not work properly for indoor tanning beds. The poor selection of the bronzer results in your skin not getting tanned. Also, you should not use a bronzer for more than 6 months as they get outdated after a few months. Using outdated bronzer results in skin irritation, bumps, and rashes.
Tanning Plateau
Whether you are tanning for longer or at a great speed, your skin will stop tanning at a certain point, termed as Tanning Plateau. Every skin has a different tanning plateau, and if you are not tanning after a certain age besides trying, know the fact that you have hit the point where you cannot get darker anymore.
Darker skin has a higher tanning plateau as compared to lighter skin, but even after hitting the tanning plateau, even darker-colored skin is unable to achieve a noticeable tan. In this case, you may try bronzers or lotions to achieve darker skin or try different types of tanning, such as indoor tanning beds outdoor tanning is not working on you. A spray tan is another effective way that works great on the skin without producing any harmful effects.
In addition to exploring different tanning techniques, if you own a tanning studio, it’s important to recognize that modern technology and software can significantly improve your business’s operation and profitability. Specialized software designed to increase sales, efficiently manage your appointment calendar, and better retain clients can be a game-changer for your tanning studio. To learn more, check out this specialized software designed to enhance tanning studio management.
Dehydrated Skin
While hydration is important to boost your body’s metabolism and keep it functioning properly, it is also very important for your skin to work properly. Dehydration results in dry and damaged skin, and it can even prevent your skin from tanning. If your skin is not properly hydrated, it flakes out more often and becomes more susceptible to sun damage.
If you wish to tan or not tanning anymore, dehydration can be considered a factor. Drinking plenty of water and keeping your skin moisturized is recommended to help your tan last longer. While going out in the sun for tanning or staying in the tanning bed, make sure that you have consumed a lot of water so your skin may not start damaging under the sun and you achieve a desirable tan.
Timing of Tanning
The time of the day when you go out for tanning determines a lot about how you tan. The best time to get a tan is during the late morning and early afternoon when the sun is brightest, and its rays are shining out. This time can vary depending on your location, but you need to make adjustments to your tanning schedule so you may achieve a natural tan quickly. It is suggested to spend only 20 minutes in your indoor tanning, but some tanning beds are safe to use for longer.
Lesser Melanin Production
The skin naturally produces melanin to keep it from sun damage by creating a base tan. Darker skin produces more melanin than lighter skin tones. Similarly, some people naturally have more melanin production as compared to others. With aging, the skin starts lacking melanin which makes it difficult to achieve desirable tanning.
Not only aging but some medications and health issues are also related to less melanin production and lesser ability to tan. If you think your skin has stopped tanning after using a certain medication, ask your doctor about alternate options. Many people use supplements to help their skin produce melanin to prevent them from harmful sun rays and to achieve the tan they desire for.
Skin Disorders and Injuries
People who suffer from skin cancer, vitiligo, lupus, scleroderma, or any other skin issue, may not develop the desired tan. The skin starts looking red and blotchy when exposed to the sun, and after spending some time, the skin may start looking burned. Similarly, if you have ever got any skin injury, your skin may stop tanning due to the scar tissues not getting tanned. Skin tanning brings with numerous health benefits, such as:
Benefits of Tanning
UV rays are produced by the sun, and positive exposure to the ultraviolet rays makes one feel more content and relaxed. Numerous studies have found a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, and many other disorders and diseases.
- Everyone is aware of the benefits of Vitamin D that is absorbed from the sunlight. Although various supplements are prescribed to get a sufficient dosage of Vitamin D, the excess of Vitamin D from these supplements may result in overdosage. However, the Vitamin D induced by the sunlight does not produce an excess amount of it.
- The base tan is also very important in protecting skin from sunburn. Unlike your regular sunscreen cream, the protective layer created by the tan does not get rubbed off.
- Seasonal affective disorder, commonly known as winter blues, can be treated with the help of sunlight. It is a natural healing therapy that improves winter mood swings and makes one feel healed from the inside.
- Exposure to bright sunlight is beneficial in treating Pre-Menstrual Syndrome and combats various symptoms such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, physical discomfort, etc.
- Exposure to sunlight reduces physical discomfort that may happen during psoriasis.
- According to recent research, the UV light treatment, combined with anti-fungal drug treatments, effectively treat fungal infections in nails and skin.
Bottom line
It’s typical for skin to stop tanning after a certain point. Excessive tanning can be avoided with careful planning. Tanning has pros and cons, but indulging in its severity can be frustrating and harmful to the skin. Above, we have shared our bits of knowledge on why your skin is not tanning, and we strongly suggest that faithful tanners follow the mentioned tips to get the tan they desire safely.
John Davis is a passionate content writer with a knack for crafting engaging narratives across various subjects. With a keen eye for detail and a love for storytelling, John brings ideas to life through the power of words. His dedication to delivering high-quality and informative content has made him a trusted voice in the digital realm. When he’s not at his desk, you’ll find John exploring new hobbies and seeking inspiration in the world around him.
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