As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Tanning Tips for Guys : Ultimate Male Tanning Guide

Written by Stella Cristin in Tips

Gone are the days when only ladies used to tan.

Nowadays there is a good number of men who love to have a bronze body.

Tanned skin is a symbol of a healthy lifestyle and muscularity. I have to tell you that for some men, there is nothing more appealing than getting a tanned body.

However, it is bit difficult to find authentic information on male tanning. This is probably because of the fact that men started to love the tan bit late.

I don’t have to tell you that it is very important to follow the advice of experts in the industry. You’re playing with your skin. In your pursuit of achieving a tanned skin, you should not put yourself at risk.

Here are a few tanning tips for guys to get a dream physique without any harmful side effects.

Before we dwell into men’s tanning tips, let me ask you something.

What would be the biggest differences between male tanning when compared with that of women tanning?

There can only be one thing that can have a difference impact. It is the tanning lotions.

You need to lotions which are exclusively manufactuered for men in pursuit of a bronzed skin. We will talk about this later in the article. However, you can find some of the best tanning lotions for men here. 

Outdoor Tanning Tips for Men

If you are looking at getting that dark physique the natural way, soaking in some sunshine is the best way to go.

I know most men will love outdoor tanning rather than the indoor one as they are fond of spending time in the outdoors.

But before you get out there, you need to make sure of doing it safe and smooth.

  1. Exfoliate

Exfoliating is the process wherein dead cells in your skin are removed or scrubbed off. Whether you are choosing to get your tan indoors or outdoors, this is one step which you should never ignore.

Without this cleansing process, dead skin cells could build up in your skin, making your tanning efforts ineffective.

So, always make it a point to clear your skin before you soak up some sun!

  1. Sunscreen is a must

There are a variety of sunscreens with different SPF ranges. A person who finds it hard to tan, but is more prone to a burn will require one with a higher Sun Protection Factor and vice versa.

Sunscreens help filter out harmful UV rays from your body, but you will still get your tan.

Overexposure to UV rays can cause sunburn and other side-effects, including skin cancer. So if you are someone who is a little too sensitive to sunlight, be extra careful!

  1. Know what suits you

Your skin type and texture are not the same as someone else’s, nor is anyone looking for a base tan. Do your research and find out what could be best for you!

Using something which doesn’t suit you, be it a sunscreen or tanning oil, may cause allergic reactions. So, be careful the next time you pick up a random sunscreen from the shelf!

  1. Don’t forget an outdoor tanning oil/spray/lotion

Whether you are wearing sunscreen or not, a tanning oil or lotion/bronzer is an essential. Again, it has to be something which suits your skin texture. For instance, if you have rougher than normal skin, you may need one which moisturizes your skin.

Outdoor tanning oils help you in getting a quicker tan, while also hydrating your skin. They can be your best companion if you already have a base tan.

On the other hand, a tanning lotion is for everyone. If you’re just starting with tanning, get a good quality lotion.

Whaterver you choose, may it be a lotion or an oil, make sure that you’re getting one designed for men.

  1. Wear those shades

We all know the harmful effects overexposure to sunlight can cause.

Just applying sunscreen is not enough. Protecting your eyes from direct sunlight is one such precaution.

You can also consider some other ways to minimize the sun’s effects. I would advise you to take small intervals, keep an umbrella to reflect direct sunlight and regulate the time you spend out in the sun.

  1. A cool shower

This is one of those after tanning tips, which will help soothe your skin.

A bath or shower around four to six hours after tanning will not just refresh you, but will also help your body to recover from the tanning experience under the sun.

Indoor Tanning Tips for Guys

Not everyone has the luxury of getting some real sunshine.

Nowadays there are many salons which offer indoor options like tanning beds. Tanning beds work by generating ultraviolet rays artificially, resulting in a tan.

Indoor tanning lets you have more control over the time and the kind of tan you want. The greatest advantage of tanning beds is that they can help you get that bronze look within a shorter time.

Tanning Bed Tips

Though a quicker solution to the look you desire, even indoor tanning comes with its own set of safety steps and rules that you need to follow

  1. Exfoliate

Exfoliation is the key to get the best results.

Even if you tan in the best tanning bed, without proper exfoliation the results will not be what you are looking for.

You should make sure that you exfoliate your body very well before the tanning session.

  1. Get a Good Quality Indoor Tanning Lotion

You wouldn’t want to be feeling all dry and burnt up after a tanning session, would you?  A good tanning lotion will moisturize your skin and prevent your skin from losing essential vitamins and nutrients.

Some lotions come with their own bronzers, which will help you get a longer lasting tan. So dab on some cream and start tanning!

Here are some of the best indoor tanning lotions: https://tanninggirl.com/best-indoor-tanning-lotion-reviews/

  1. Take it nice and slow

Not everyone can handle the same kind of UV exposure in one go. Whether one has a very fair complexion or a base tan, first-timers should always take it nice and slow. Once you spend maybe five to eight minutes in the bed the first time, increase the time eventually only and when you are comfortable with it.

A salon or tanning booth will always have experts who can guide you according to your skin type and texture.

  1. Don’t forget your goggles!

The rule remains the same when it come to tanning goggles. Just wear them!

You have to protect your eyes from the harmful effects of UV rays by wearing tanning eyewear protections. You should also make sure that you’re not spending too much time in the bed as overexposure can cause sunburn.

  1. Use a tan extender

Getting a tan always works best when you use a tan extender. A tan extending lotion helps preserve and maintain the tan.  Like a shampoo and conditioner, a tanning lotion and extender compliments each other.

Sunless Tanning Tips

From its name, you might have already figured out that it does not involve any sunlight, naturally or artificially. Sounds easy, right? Sunless tanning is best for those who have neither the time nor the energy to spend minutes and hours in a tanning bed or under the sun.

What makes it better?

Sunless tanning, also known as self-tanning, comes with a number of advantages. It’s no secret how harmful overexposure to a tanning bed or natural sunlight can be for your skin.

If you are a guy looking at safe ways to get that brownish glow, then self-tanning is the way to go. It is called self-tanning because these lotions or creams have self-tanners or ingredients which help you produce the pigment melanin, eventually giving you the tanned look. You can get the amazing physique sans the hard work or any side-effects!

Self Tanning for Guys

The rules you need to follow while using self-tanners are not entirely similar to the other types of tanning as it does not involve direct ultraviolet rays. They are:

  1. Shower and exfoliate

Using a self-tanner does not mean you should ignore this rule. This always helps you get better results. As said before, exfoliation makes it easy for the tanning lotion or the self-tanner to give you the best results.

If you like to do spray tanning, here is the guide you need: https://tanninggirl.com/showering-after-tanning/

  1. Moisturize your skin

This step becomes more important for guys as their skin tends to be more rough and dry.  Those who always find their skin getting dry easily should apply a moisturizer before using a self-tanner.

  1. Pick a high-quality Self Tanner

One needs to just surf online to find out the best self-tanners in the market. Use a good quality lotion, and save yourself the trouble of that uneven fake tan look. It can also give you the best results.

  1. Use lotions with SPF

You may be tanning the sunless way, but you still need protection, especially if you plan to go outdoors. These days you get a lot of self-tanning lotions with SPF protection, which you can pick depending on the skin type and texture.

These moisturizers help to extend spray tan life. Therefore you should make sure that you’re using a good quality one. Otherwise, what do you gain by hours of applying the sunless tanning lotion or spray tan?

That’s it.

I really hope you have enjoyed reading this tanning guide exclusively written for gents. Now, it’s your turn to follow the tips and get an amazing tan.

All the very best.

Stella Cristin

I'm Stella. I have always been drawn to beauty and health products that make a change in our life. I have been working in various tanning salons in my neighborhood to help people like me to get a beautiful and healthy tan. My passion is to help people learn about safe tanning.

Recent Posts