How long does a sun tan last on dark skin?

A tan occurs when sunlight or artificial ultraviolet (UV) rays hit the skin, causing a pigment called melanin to form. Melanin is responsible for the brown glow we associate with tans, but it’s also the skin’s way of protecting itself against UV damage caused by the sun.

A tan you receive from outdoor exposure is mainly the result of UVA rays from the sun, as the large majority of the sun’s UVB rays are absorbed by the earth’s ozone layer. Tanning beds usually have a mix of UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays have more energy than UVA rays, can directly damage your DNA, and are the cause of most skin cancers — though both UVA and UVB rays can damage your skin.

Spray tans, where the color additive dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is evenly applied to temporarily darken skin cells, are a popular alternative to achieving a tan without exposure to harmful UV rays.

There is no medical benefit to having a tan, but some people prefer the look of tanned skin. Legend has it that tanning became popular in 1923 when Coco Chanel was sunburned on a trip to the South of France. Photos of her tanned supposedly became a sign of beauty and relaxation.

Tans will last for different lengths of time depending on how you got it (from UV rays or spray). There are some things you can do to extend the life of your tan, but it won’t be permanent.

The lifespan of a tan depends on what type of tan it is. It will also depend on your skin and how frequently your skin regenerates.

Generally speaking, a tan that was achieved through sunbathing outside can be expected to last 7 to 10 days before the outer layer of the skin begins to exfoliate naturally.

Spray tans can start to fade in as little as 1 day without proper care and can last as long as 10 days.

While there is no scientific evidence to back this up, spray tan expert Jules Von Hep said in a Marie Claire interview that some clients’ skin does not take a spray tan as well in the week before or during, their period so you may want to wait until the week after, if possible.

Can a tan be permanent?

A tan is never permanent because skin naturally exfoliates itself over time. This causes the tanned skin to flake off. New cells are formed and older skin sloughs off.

Anyone who you see who seems “permanently” tan either has darker skin naturally, uses a sunless tanning lotion or spray tans, or goes in the sun regularly.

It’s important to note that the Mayo Clinic and the Food and Drug Administration explicitly say that sunless tanning pills are not safe. They should be avoided.

There are a few things you can do to keep a tan from fading, thereby extending the life of your tan.

• Exfoliate your skin before going in the sun or getting a spray tan. This will keep skin from flaking and will give a spray tan a smooth, even base on which to stick.
• Take lukewarm or cool showers. Hot water dehydrates skin, which can cause a tan to fade more quickly.
• Keep your skin moisturized. Hydrated skin will slow your body’s exfoliation. You can moisturize your skin with a natural oil like coconut or avocado oil.
• Use a tan extender or supplement with a tanning lotion. Some tan extenders actually stimulate the production of melanin.

You should always wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when spending time in the sun. You will likely need to use more sunscreen than you think.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using at least 1 ounce (enough to fill a shot glass or approximately the size of a golf ball) to cover all exposed skin. You’ll need to reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours and after going in the water.

The risks of getting too much sun include:

• sunburn
• heat rash
• premature aging (skin loses elasticity in the sun which can cause wrinkles and skin damage)
• dehydration, caused by sweating from the heat
• melanoma and other skin cancers
• eye damage, because staring at the sun can damage the rods and cones in the retina

How long your tan lasts depends on whether you got it from sunbathing or from a spray tan at a salon. While no tan is permanent, with proper care you can extend the life of your tan by a few days.

Generally speaking, tans will last up to 7 to 10 days before skin starts to naturally exfoliate and regenerate. If you exfoliate your body before tanning, use a tan extender, and keep skin moisturized your tan may last longer than anticipated.

Why do we tan?

We’ve all had tan lines or uneven color that we wish we could just wash off. But getting rid of a tan is difficult.

A tan is your body’s attempt to protect itself from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Melanin is the chemical responsible for skin darkening or tanning. Your skin releases melanin under the surface layers of your skin to help absorb UV radiation. The more exposure you to have UV rays from the sun or a tanning bed, the more melanin your body releases, and the darker your skin gets.

The best way to lighten a tan is to avoid getting it in the first place. Protect your skin and prevent unwanted tanning with proper sun protection. Always wear a hat, sun protective clothing, and sunscreen when outside. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen every day to best protect your skin.

These remedies can help you fade a tan:

Exfoliation

Gently exfoliating with a homemade or store-bought scrub can help lighten the tone of your skin by removing dead skill cells on the surface. Just be careful to avoid the sun once you exfoliate. Dead skin cells can help protect against the sun. Once you remove them, you’re more susceptible to sunburn, tanning, and skin damage.

Aloe

It turns out this sunburn salve is more than a powerful, anti-inflammatory skin soother. A small study found that aloe vera may suppress the release of melanin and reduce pigmentation.

Turmeric

This bright yellow spice has traditionally been used in India as a skin lightener. While it has not been proven to visibly lighten the skin, one study found that turmeric may help protect against sun damage when included in a cream. The study also found that turmeric may improve the skin’s hydration and natural protective oils.

However, turmeric can stain your face (and just about everything else, including your clothes and counter) yellow. Use face wash or makeup remover immediately after a turmeric mask or topical application to help remove residue and prevent staining.

Black tea

A small study found that black tea extract can lighten a tan on guinea pigs, but more research needs to be done, especially on how homemade brews or topical products with black tea extracts affect humans.

Skin-lightening products

Many skin-lightening creams and treatments are now available over the counter. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends looking for a skin-lightening product that contains one of the following ingredients:

• vitamin C
• glycolic acid
• a retinoid such as retinol, tretinoin, adapalene gel, or tazarotene
• kojic acid
• azelaic acid

These active ingredients can help lighten an existing tan or dark spots by exfoliating the skin and encouraging new cell growth. Some of them can also help slow the production of melanin to help prevent or reduce dark spots. However, it’s important to use only one product with a single active ingredient at a time to prevent irritation or other side effects.

Many of these treatments should be used only under the supervision of a dermatologist. Irritation or dermatitis can result from using too high of a concentration or too many applications. It can also happen if you use a product on larger areas than it was designed for. Overuse of skin-lightening products can also cause skin atrophy and lead to permanent dark spots or discoloration.

Lemon juice

Lemon is one of the most popularly touted home remedies for getting rid of a tan, but it should not be used undiluted on the skin. No research has found that lemon juice or citric acid lightens skin or reduces melanin production. Lemon juice or slices of the lemon itself may help remove dead skin, but it can also be irritating.

Lemon juice should always be diluted and thoroughly washed off if used topically. Going out into the sun with lemon or other citrus juice on your skin, even if you tried to wash it off, can make irritation worse and may even lead to chemical burns. The juice causes a chemical reaction that makes your skin more sensitive to UV light.

Foreign lightening products

Do not buy skin-lightening products from countries outside of the United States. Researchers have found unlisted mercury, steroids, and other harmful ingredients in products from other countries.

Bleaching agents

Bleaching agents should also never be applied to the skin. That includes household bleach and any other product sold as a “whitening” or “bleaching” product.

The best way to get rid of a tan is to properly protect your skin against UV rays. When it’s too late for floppy hats and sunscreen, there are some treatments that may help reduce the appearance of a tan. Be sure to always spot-test treatments on your inner forearm twice per day for at least two or three days to check for a reaction before applying it anywhere else. Always use treatments as directed. Stop using any product or home remedy immediately if it starts to sting or burn, unless your dermatologist advises you to continue.

No matter what treatment you try, time is the best medicine. A tan fades as you naturally shed sunburned or tanned skin cells and replace them with new, untanned cells. Unfortunately, lightening a tan will not undo skin damage or reduce the risk of developing cancer. A darker tan doesn’t defend against sun damage or future skin cancer. A “base tan” is not a healthy or safe way to protect yourself from harmful UV rays.