How does your skin type affect your ability to tan?

One of the best things about getting a tan is the golden glow to give to your skin. How often do you see someone who has recently been on holiday (or has been tanning at home instead) and say they look healthy?

There is something about having a tan and warming up your skin that gives the rest of your body a much-needed glow. While the idea of tanning may be straightforward, you may not realise that it is not possible for everyone to tan (or at least to not tan to the same level).

The main thing that influences your ability to tan is your skin type. So, how does this work? What does your skin tone mean when it comes to trying to tan?

The skin tones

The best place to start is to learn as much as we can about the different skin tones. There are six basic skin tones (although, of course, these can be taken down into even more skin tones if you want to look at them in more detail).

These skin tones are:

• Pale White
• White to Light Beige
• Beige
• Light Brown
• Moderate Brown
• Dark Brown or Black

How do these tones tan?

So, what impact does each skin tone have on the tanning process? Those who are pale white will find that their skin rarely tans and that instead, it nearly always burns when exposed to UV rays. The next step up is white to light beige. People with skin of these tons will tan, but this is minimal, and they are much more likely to burn instead.

Beige skin tones will have a moderate chance of burning. However, they will also tan gradually, taking their natural skin tone up to a light brown.

Those who have light brown skin will find that they do not burn that quickly and that when they do tan, their skin will move to a moderate brown tone instead. Moderate brown skin naturally will rarely ever burn, and they will find it easy to tan to a dark brown shade.

If you have dark brown or black skin, you will never find that your skin will burn and instead, it will be able to tan profusely and give you an even and rich colour.

Why is this?

The darker the skin you have naturally, the more melanin you will have in it. Melanin is what will protect your skin from burning and instead allow it to tan. This is why those with darker skin will find it much easier to tan than those with lighter skin.

No matter who you are, if you are planning on getting a tan, in any way, it is essential to make sure that you take good care of your skin. Not only during the time that you are exposing yourself to the sun but also after that time too.

That way, you will be able to showcase your amazing tan whilst still having healthy and glowing skin.

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