As summer approaches and the UV sneaks higher and higher, it’s important to stay safe while tanning. Many teenagers, especially those who live in Florida, love spending a nice day outside getting some sun. And while that feeling of getting a crisp tan line is almost unbeatable, those dark red patches make you want to become a hermit. As a fairly pale girl myself, I’ve learned a couple of tips over the years that help me look lively and not lobster-y.
- Reapply sunscreen
This one is obvious, but still many people mess it up. Casually spraying a thin layer of sunscreen every couple of hours will simply not suffice when the UV is high, and you don’t have shade. When the UV is 8 or more, I would recommend flipping from your front side to the back side every 30 minutes, applying a new, thorough layer of sunscreen every time you do so. Helena Urrea (’26) recommends layering SPF.
“Tanning oil and SPF combo will be your best friend when tanning,” Urrea said.
- Aloe
Aloe is one of the best hacks to help keep the sunburn away – even if you forgot to reapply sunscreen as often as you should. There are many cool-down lotions and sprays you can buy from various companies, but a store-brand bottle of aloe will honestly get you the best results. Aloe helps with redness, swelling and mild burns. While it cannot reverse UV damage (which is why it’s still very important to wear sunscreen) it can help soothe that redness and turn it into a nice tan.
- Being by water
It sounds weird, but tanning by the water is one of the fastest ways to get results. Water acts as a reflector for the UV, putting 10-30% of the UV’s rays back onto you. It’s nice to get in the water as well, as it cools you off while tanning. There are a couple of risks, however, one of which is that the salt water can wash off your sunscreen, so it’s important to let your sunscreen sit before you go in. Also, it’s easy to lose track of time since it’s cooler in the water than on the sand. To prevent that, make sure to stay extremely hydrated while tanning and wear a waterproof watch. Kaylin Merritt (’26) is known for spending all of her free time at the beach, and she also has a couple of helpful tips.
“I find it really important to build a base tan, so start tanning when the UV is low to get adjusted,” Merritt said.
Merrit also recommends going to the beach for both better sun and quality time.
“When you go to the beach, it can turn a long tanning session into a fun activity with music and friends,” she said.
Tanning is so fun, especially with friends, but it’s extremely important to protect your skin from sun damage and potential skin cancer. Hopefully, these tips can give you a healthy glow to sport all summer long.
