We are proponents of getting really tan. Tanning is healthy and good for you. It is a great way to get more out of life. However, in the interest of being as comprehensive and complete as possible, we thought it would make sense to include an article about avoiding a tan for those not interested in tanning when they are outdoors. While tanning is one of the most popular phases that Americans have discovered, not everyone is out to get beautifully bronzed skin when they are outdoors. Whether they just favor their natural skin tone, have already successfully reached the perfect tan they were seeking to achieve, or have a different reason, avoiding a tan is preferable to a select few who also happen to love the outdoors. (As a side note, you may wish to check out our article on when to avoid tanning.)

It Is Possible To Avoid A Tan Even If You're In The Sun

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Experts claim that it can take as little as 15 minutes outside without sun block to begin to develop a suntan, so avoiding a tan can seem nearly impossible. Protective hats and sunglasses help, as do clothing that shields the skin from the sun, but even these may not completely prevent a tan (and may hinder you by allowing a farmer's tan to develop). There are a few tips and tricks however, that may help keep the natural tone of one's skin without costing an arm and a leg.

Creams That Whiten Your Tan Skin

Many creams offer whitening power for the skin. These creams are made by various companies and cost anywhere from $4 to $20 per jar or tube, depending on where it is purchased and how big the container is. Companies often couple the whitening cream with other helpful creams such as sun block with high SPF and UV protection, moisturizers, and even acne-fighters such as salicylic acid.

However, these creams do not work for everyone. Some have discovered that they do little or nothing to avoid tanning without the aid of additional sun block, while others claim that they do not tan at all with the cream applied as directed.

Sun Block Is A Good Way To Prevent Tanning

This is perhaps the most common way to avoid a tan. With an SPF of at least 50 and frequent application, sun block normally prevents the skin from tanning by blocking UVA and UVB rays. Sun block is cheaper than many other remedies, with tubes or jars starting around $6 for a decent supply.

Sunscreen can be found just about anywhere, from some convenience stores to large super centers, and many drugstores or grocery stores as well. Sunscreen is safe and effective for all ages, but is not recommended for infants (and it is not recommended to have infants in direct sunlight for more than 5 minutes at a time anyway).

Natural Remedies To Prevent A Suntan

Many have searched for more natural ways to keep their skin tone and avoid a tan. There are at least two ways to use the tomato to accomplish this task:

1. Rub the tomato on any part of your body that should not be tanned. It will have to be reapplied frequently, but is very effective.
2. Mix the tomato into a paste and apply directly to the body. Other ingredients that should be mixed with the tomato to form a very effective natural sun block include a half slice of lemon, one tablespoon of sugar, and one tablespoon of glycerin. This also makes a great facial scrub.

Of course, the most effective remedy is to avoid direct sunlight exposure for prolonged periods of time between 10AM and 4PM. The sun is at its peak strength during this time, and you will tan the easiest during these hours. Stay indoors or at least in the shade during these hours. The sun is weaker before or after this time, but you will still need sunscreen to prevent any tanning.

One simple way to tell if the sun is in the right place to avoid a tan is to check the position of your shadow. If your shadow is shorter than your actual height, the ability to tan is much higher.

In addition, many do not realize that surfaces such as water or snow increase the chance that they will tan. They reflect sunlight, and it is believed that you may even tan faster and easier under these conditions.

Summary - How To Avoid A Tan

It is not impossible to avoid a tan even if you are outside for long periods of time. If the proper preparations are taken, your skin may tan very little or not at all. However, you may still tan even with all the preparations if you are outside during peak hours, so avoid this if possible. Use plenty of sunscreen, whiteners, or natural remedies no matter what time of day it is. If the sun is up, you could tan and it does not have to be hot outside to tan.

Above all, use common sense. If you use any form of sunscreen, cream, or remedy, it has to be reapplied after a certain length of time. Sweat, water, and wind help evaporate your protection, and you will still tan if the preventative measure is not reapplied in the correct time frame. Read the label of any cream or sun block, and research to find out when they should be reapplied and what they are weakest against. Some may need to be reapplied every 15-20 minutes, others last several hours. Water-resistant or sweat-resistant will last much longer, but will still need reapplication eventually.

As a closing note, we wanted to provide this article to make the site as comprehensive and complete as possible. At the same time, we are huge proponents of getting a really healthy tan. We encourage you to check out our article on the top benefits of getting really tan.