Does Tanning Oil Make You Burn? Tips and Guides

Yes, it is true that you will tan faster, and you can also get burned faster with tanning oil. So, there’s a very thin line between getting a good tan and getting your skin burned. Tanning oil will intensify the effect of UV rays. Therefore, applying tanning oil in moderation is important.

A good way to prevent burns is to choose tanning oil that has sunscreen in it or mix tanning oil with sunscreen. That way, when the oil intensifies the effect of the rays, the sunscreen in the equation will protect your skin from burns. You need to choose sunscreen with a high SPF.

Tanning has become part of fashion today, with more people joining the bandwagon every day. Generally, people love to tan and they want fast results. So, they always look for what can make their tanning sessions effective. This is exactly what tanning oil does

When you rub tanning oil on your body before going under the sun or before getting into a tanning bed, you’ll get a quicker result. This is because tanning helps the body to absorb UV rays. In fact, tanning oil intensifies the effects of the rays on your body. So, you’ll get a faster result. 

However, there’s a downside. Tanning oil also increases the risk of getting burned. Fast tanning results bring you a lot closer to burns. So, you have to apply tanning oil in moderation. You’ll find out all that you need to know about using tanning oil for tanning here.

And you’ll also get to see some answers to frequently asked questions about the use of tanning oil. Most importantly, you’ll find out how to apply sunscreen based on your type of skin.

How Do You Use Tanning Oil Without Getting Burned?

As explained above, you should apply the tanning oil that has sunscreen in it. In the alternative, you can mix your tanning oil with sunscreen. It is important that you choose sunscreen with at least SPF 30. After applying sunscreen to your body, you can then apply tanning oil evenly all over your body.

Don’t apply too much tanning oil, and you should ensure that it is well-distributed all over your body. In addition, you need to shorten your tanning sessions when tanning oil is involved. For instance, if you usually undergo 20-minute tanning sessions without tanning oil, you should reduce it to about 15 minutes whenever you apply tanning oil.

The same rule applies to tanning in the sun. If you love to spend about 2 hours in the sun without tanning oil, you should shorten it to about 90 minutes after applying tanning oil to your body.

How Long Does It Take to Burn with Tanning Oil?

It depends on several factors. First of all, you need to understand that different people have different skin types and some delicate skin types burn faster than others. So, you must understand your skin type first. Another factor is the availability of sunscreen. Generally, the skin that is not protected by sunscreen will burn faster than the one that has sunscreen, assuming other factors are equal.

Another factor is your tanning method. Your skin will get burned faster in a tanning bed than under the sun. Generally, with tanning oil in the equation, skin burns can occur in as short as only 10 minutes in a tanning bed and a little over an hour under the sun.

Should I Use Sunscreen with Tanning Oil?

The health and safety of your skin should be of paramount interest all the time. That’s why it is a good idea to use sunscreen with tanning oil. Some women believe that mixing sunscreen with tanning oil is likely to reduce the intensity of the UV rays and slow down their tanning. 

Yes, they are correct, but even at that, they still need sunscreen. It is better and smarter to tan more slowly and escape sunburn than going for rapid tanning and falling into the ditch of skin burns.

Knowing How to Use a Sunscreen

There are several levels of sunscreen and they a measured by their SPF (sun protection factor) level. Unfortunately, many people don’t know the calculation behind the choice of sunscreen. The SPF level helps to estimate how long your sunscreen will protect your skin before it wears off.

Being able to choose the right sunscreen for you also depends on knowing your skin type. If your skin begins to burn after staying under the sun for 20 minutes, sunscreen with SPF 2 will protect you for only 40 minutes (SPF 2 x 20 minutes). 

After 40 minutes, you should leave the sun or quickly re-apply the sunscreen. On the other hand, if you choose a sunscreen with SPF 30, it will protect you for 600 minutes (SPF 30 x 20 minutes). When you convert 600 minutes to hours, you’ll get 10 hours.

It means that the sunscreen will protect your skin for 10 hours. The sun cannot even shine for up to 10 hours in a day. Now, do you understand why you need to choose a sunscreen with a higher SPF level?

Does Tanning Oil Cause Cancer?

Tanning oil does not cause cancer. What actually causes cancer is the long-term effect of UV rays on the skin. This is why it is advisable to tan moderately. However, since tanning oil increases the effects of UV rays on the skin, it is correct to say that tanning oil increases the risk of cancer. Therefore, it is always a smart idea to mix your tanning oil with sunscreen. 

Does Tanning Oil Make You Burn?Final Words

Always remember that tanning oil helps you to tan faster, and it also brings your skin closer to burns. The use of tanning oil also increases the risk of cancer. That’s why you should always use tanning oil that has sunscreen in it or mix your tanning oil with a sunscreen.

The safety of your skin should come first. Finally, always try to purchase sunscreen with a higher SPF level. Aim for sunscreen that has SPF 30 or above.

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