Tanning in the evening, especially after 5 PM, has been a debatable topic for years. Many people believe that tanning in the evening won’t give you any results, while others prefer to tan during these late hours. But can you really get a tan in the evening?
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A natural tan is the most beautiful type of tan you can get. Getting a tan from the sun is, without doubt, the healthiest and least harmful way to tan. Besides that, it’s also the cheapest option available.
However, even after long discussions on how to get a healthy tan naturally, there are still many myths going around. One of these myths is that you cannot get a tan after 5 PM.
Before digging any further, let me answer that question for you. The simple answer is yes, you can still get a tan after 5 PM.
So is that it? No! If you want to get the best tan possible, you must know everything about tanning in the evening. How do we bask without baking ourselves?
Table of Contents
What’s up with this ‘after 5 PM’
The intensity of the sun is not the same throughout the day.
Between 10 AM and 4 PM, the sun will reach its highest temperature of the day (this time period is called the peak time). The peak time is the hottest time of the day regardless of the season.
The hours outside of peak time are cooler as the sun will either be rising or setting. The sun’s rays are weaker and cause less harm at these times (but they are not harmless). These weaker sun rays can still give you tan and with longer exposure, a burn too.
People have different opinions and time preferences when it comes to tanning. When you are planning a sunbathing session, you are aiming at getting a tan and not a burn, aren’t you?
Long exposures to UV rays are harmful to human beings and can cause sunburns as well as many types of skin cancers.
If you are not cautious, tanning during the peak hours will result in a sunburn rather than a healthy tan. This makes evening and morning tanning sessions more popular.
I would also like to add that after 5 PM, tanning is considered to be free; where one can spend as much time as they’d like in the sun. It’s easier to get a quick tan after work than getting one during the day while you are stuck in the office.
Why should I Tan after 5PM?
This question has a very subjective answer. However, some people do prefer tanning after this hour.
If you are extremely pale or have fair skin, you may have noticed that your skin will turn red when exposed to sun for either short or long periods of time. Naturally, your skin is very sensitive to the sun and will burn quicker than somebody with a darker skin.
When considering sunbathing, peak hours are dangerous, even if you are timing the duration of the session. You must keep an eye on your skin to see if it isn’t getting burned. But, by the time you realise you have a sunburn, you will have already been exposed for too long.
So the safest and most efficient alternative is choosing a time slot before 10 AM or after 4 PM when the UV index is lower. You can do the simple “shadow rule” to know if the sun is too strong to sunbathe. The rule is: the taller your shadow gets, the weaker the UV rays!
Are you tanning for this first time this season? Start by tanning during these low UV-index hours so you won’t risk getting a sunburn! Tanning after 5 PM will gradually introduce your skin to tanning again after a long winter and will result in healthy glowing skin. This is the safest way to start sunbathing again before trying any tanning methods to achieve that gorgeous bronze look.
Tips for Getting a Tan after 5 pm
You might have guessed it already, but tanning in the low UV-index hours is not the quickest way to tan. It requires patience and time. But, like I mentioned before, tanning after 5 PM is much safer than tanning in the peak hours of the day.
Once you have decided what time you’re going to tan, you must prepare properly before and after each session to ensure good results. I’d like to share some tips and tricks below to help you get the best result possible:
- Exfoliate. Make sure that you have gently removed your dead skin. Use your favorite scrub and have a shower before your tanning session. Remember to hydrate your skin using a moisturizer twice a day.
- Do not skip SPF. Regardless of the intensity of the rays, you need to use sunscreen with a SPF of at least 10 or 15 for safe a tanning session without burning your skin. You can use a tanning lotion if needed. We want that sun-kissed look, not sunburnt look.
- Sunglasses are recommended to protect your eyes.
- Start slow. Don’t jump right in and risk getting sunburnt! Start by spending a short period of time in the sun and slowly increase the time each session. Beginners can start with 10-minute session and increase by 3-5 minutes once they are comfortable.
- Flip sides for an even tan. Set a timer and adjust your position after the alarm has gone off.
- Drink water. Drink at least 8 ounces of water everyday to keep your body hydrated since you are losing moisture by sweating. Get out of the sun in case you feel dizzy, tired or have a headache. You are advised to reduce the time of your sessions after experiencing this.
- Do not overdo anything! During peak times it is advised to spend a maximum of 20 mins in the sun.
- After sunbathing, take a shower and pat yourself dry. This will make sure you haven’t clogged your pores or irritated your blemishes. Use Aloe Vera gel on the sunburn to alleviate it.
- Amount of sessions. Once you have built up your tan, reduce the number of tanning sessions to maintain it. You don’t need to overdo it. Have the sessions decreased to twice or three times a week to maintain your bronze look.
- Tanning oils and tanning lotions. Using top quality products is You should try to use tanning oils and outdoor tanning lotions to reduce the time of the tanning process. Using natural products is also a great idea if you are afraid of getting an allergic reaction. If you want a dark tan, you can find a product to help you here: https://tanninggirl.com/best-tanning-oil-reviews/ .
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Tanning after 5PM
I have summed up the pros and cons of tanning outside of peak times below:
Pros
- It is the most suitable tanning time for someone with sensitive or pale skin.
- You won’t feel hot during your tanning session.
- Best time to tan if you are a busy person.
- You can tan without harming yourself.
Cons
- Longer tanning sessions.
- Tan will appear gradually.
- More sessions are needed.
- Requires a lot patience.
Using a Tanning Bed after 5PM
Most experienced tanners know that using a tanning bed after 5 PM is not a problem. In fact, it is one of the best time of a day to tan.
Tanning in UV beds has nothing to do with the sun or its rays. You will get your tan because of the UV lamps inside your tanning bed. The bottom line is, even if it is 6 PM or 3 AM, you can still use a tanning bed and get a gorgeous tan.
So, Can You Tan in the Evening?
You can, but it is completely up to you if you decide whether to do it or not. If you have sensitive or pale skin, this time period is perfect for you. Do not forget to prepare your skin before tanning! You don’t want your skin to be tanned and dry.
Now, just lie down and relax. Get that natural tan that everyone loves!
