I'm pretty fair skinned and would like to get a base tan going before I go to Myrtle Beach. I don't want to burn really bad. Need tips on how to tan inside or outside would be helpful (: thank you
-cort

Try spray tan or lotion tan. Also, take a beta carotene supplement once a day for a couple days before you go.

Of course the best way to avoid getting burned is to use sunscreen.

But can I still burn if I get a spray tan right and won't it wash all off when I go swimming?

Talk to your doctor about it or a referral to a dermatologist.

I have really fair skin, I can't really go out for long periods with out sunscreen. Before I went to Turkey many years back I did a bas tan at a tanning salon. It was basically 4-6 minutes under the lamps every couple of days. It did help, but I still got a burn in Istanbul so a base tan is no guarantee of not getting a burn. Be smart about it because this is damaging your skin and if your genetics are bad than this could start putting you at SERIOUS risk of skin cancer.

I tan easily, as does my chiropractor who suggested this for safer tanning (but first check with your doctor about this because of your predilection for burning) --

This increases the production of melanin in your skin. Daily, for several weeks before any exposure to the sun --- 2000 mg of vitamin C, 50 mg of vitamin B6, and 4 mg of copper, speeds tanning and reduces the risk of sunburn.

I'd stick to a lotion tan... there are several that do not make you orange. They don't wash off, and you would still want to use a broad spectrum sun screen.

Some sunlight can have benefits, but tanning is really already damaging your skin.

Trust me... you do NOT want to be a sun worshipper.

Long story short... An old neighbor friend of mine and my wife are the same age (50)... I've known both since 1988, both had pretty good complexions back then, My wife as not a frequent beachgoer. The neighbor girl was. We all lived only a mile from the beach on the Mediteranian in Italy.

Fastforward to today... wife still has really good skin and very few wrinkles for anyone ten years younger than she is, and the Neighbor girl has skin that your average 70 year old would be embarased by. All due to how much time was spent in the sun over the years.

Sure you look good when you are young and do it...but you pay one hell of a price for it when you get older. Wear a high SPF sunscreen.

There is no hard and fast rule to tanning well. Your genes/heritage more or less dictate this. If you are fair skinned and burn easily, you just don't try to tan.

I am like WG, I tan easily, but older, 72 and no wrinkles. It is genes for me.

WG's recipe sort of makes sense.

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Originally Posted by cort_xoxo

But can I still burn if I get a spray tan right and won't it wash all off when I go swimming?

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The spray tan helps prevent burning since the active ingredient DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) causes your skin to darken similar to a real tan. Therefore spray tans will not wash off when you swim.

@zylstra. Can you provide a link for your claim that DHA prevents burning? I don't think this is exactly specific information.

Most self-tanners have DHA as one of the main ingredients. Regardless of having a regular tan or using a self-tanner, sunburn will still happen if you're in the sun too long without sunscreen (applied as directed). Neither will either form of tanning prevent increasing the risk of skin cancer.

I did not claim that DHA prevents burning. I said it "helps" prevent burning. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dihydroxyacetone, "The skin browning of a sunless tan may provide some UV protection (up to SPF 3),^[20][21]".