How to Get a Quick Tan: Beds, Lotions, Moisturizers and Sprays

If you're looking to get a tan for this summer, or you just want to add some color to your skin, you may be thinking through the options on how to do so. Are you going to tan indoors in a tanning bed, or will you lie outside in the sun? However you do it, here are some tips on how you can achieve that dark, beach tan quickly.

I prefer to use a tanning bed, for many reasons. If you don't want tan lines, then I suggest using a tanning bed. You don't have to wear your bathing suit indoors; you can go in with no clothing. It's completely private, so nobody will see you anyway. Bad weather can also prevent you from lying outside in the sun. With a tanning bed, you can tan anytime without having to worry about the rain or the cold. I also think that a tanning bed will allow you to get tan faster. So if you're like me and plan on tanning indoors, then read the following tips.

Build Up Your Tan

If you want to get tan in a week, here are some tips to do it. First, you'll need to start off slow if you have pale skin, or have never tanned before. You should plan on going tanning every day of the week, Monday through Friday. Depending on the tanning bed you'll be using, you'll need to build up to the maximum time. For example, if the beds have a max time of 15 minutes, you should start off tanning for about 6-7 minutes the first time (Monday), 8-9 minutes the second (Tuesday), 10-11 the third (Wednesday), 12-13 the fourth (Thursday), 14-15 the fifth (Friday). You don't want to burn, that's why you need to take it slow. Once your skin is burnt, you can't tan until the burn has healed. After this first week, you can cut back to tanning 2-3 times per week just to continue building your tan and keeping up with it. Tan as much as you think you need to, depending on how dark you want your skin to be. By the end of the week, you'll definitely see a difference in your skin color. Follow the rest of the tips, and you'll be tan by the end of the week.

Tanning Lotion

Use a quality tanning lotion with a bronzer included. A bronzer will give you immediate results, while still helping your skin develop a deep tan in your skin. Therefore, you'll see results right away, which will last 1-2 days after a tanning session. Do not use a lotion with heat or tingling in it, because it will only make your skin look reddish. After tanning, make sure you take a shower to wash and exfoliate your skin.

After Tan Moisturizer

Once you've showered, apply a good moisturizer to your skin, which will help your skin keep the golden color. Something that I like to do, that you may also like to do, is use a daily moisturizer with a self-tanner built in. I recommend Hawaiian Tropic Island Glow Daily Moisturizer and Vaseline Healthy Body Glow. Both are excellent at adding color, while adding moisture to your skin. They don't make your skin look orangey-fake at all. A good moisturizer with color enhancers will add a little more color to your skin in between tan sessions, and will make you look even tanner. Just make sure you apply the lotion evenly, and wash your hands after each application.

Spray Tans

If you aren't into tanning beds, you can always try getting a spray tan. A lot of tanning salons have spray tanning as well. I don't know how well this method works, or how long it lasts, but I've heard many good things about spray tanning. To me, it just sounds like self-tanner, which always looks orange and fake to me. Do what you think is best.

Overall, if you follow the tips for the tanning bed, you'll be looking tan and ready for the beach by the end of the week. If you have more time to develop a tan, that's even better. Have fun!