There are tons of ways to tan your skin. Tanning beds or sunbathing are popular methods to tan your skin using UV rays.
However, after multiple sessions or months of regular tanning, you may notice that you are no longer getting a darker complexion.
So you may ask yourself, “Why am I not tanning anymore?” Experts refer to this as a tanning plateau. It happens when your skin stops getting darker despite how much time you spend tanning yourself.
No worries, we’ll discuss what’s happening and how to fix it in this article…
Why Skin Isn’t Tanning
As we mentioned, there are many ways to achieve a gorgeous tan. Some of these include a spray tan, which, unfortunately, does not last for more than a week. However, tanning beds and natural sunbathing do have longer-lasting effects.
Unfortunately, if you have been tanning for quite some time, you may experience a rather frustrating feat. A lot of people reach what we call a plateau which stops them from getting any darker.
There are different classifications of skin types. Each skin type has its own limitations when getting a tan. Since different skin types may react differently to a single treatment, it is essential to know which complexion you have.
In general, tanning causes your skin to thicken, which hinders UV ray penetration. Others may experience this earlier than others. A plateau can happen after a few sessions or a few weeks of regular tanning.
Luckily, you can overcome a tanning plateau and maximize the results by stimulating your skin cells. Use a lotion or tan accelerator and extender after hitting this plateau. These will help your cells become translucent and more receptive to UV rays.
How do I overcome it?
Well, knowing your skin type before marching off to a tanning salon or a four-hour sunbathing session is the first step. According to NTTI or the National Tanning Training Institute, it helps you figure out how much exposure is too much or too little for your skin to handle.
If you are unsure of your skin type, here is a guide on the different skin types and their common reaction to the sun or UV rays.
Type 1
The list classifies the complexions based on a lighter to darker scale. With that in mind, type one skin is very pale and white. Some people refer to it as an ivory complexion. If you have light blue, gray, or green eyes and natural blonde or red hair, then you’re probably ivory-skinned.
In this case, you have to be extremely careful because type one skin is susceptible to UV rays. It is difficult to tan, so you may not see the results you are hoping for. Spending hours on a tanning bed will result in higher risks of sunburning instead of bronzed skin.
People who have ivory skin cannot stay for more than a minute in a tanning bed. You should also wear sunscreen if you plan on going to the beach for a natural tan. However, you can get a slightly darker color with tanning intensifiers.
Type 2
If you have a light beige skin color with blue or green eyes, some freckles, then you probably have type two skin. People also refer to this as beige skin, which is just a few shades darker than the initial complexion we discussed.
Type two skin tans better compared to the first skin type. Unfortunately, people with this complexion still have a higher chance of reaching a plateau. Just like for ivory skins, increased exposure to UV rays will not solve the problem.
This skin is prone to peeling and sunburn when exposed too long under the sun. That is why in most indoor tanning salons, the recommended period for types one and two is no longer than a minute inside the tanning bed.
Don’t worry because beige and ivory skins can still get a deeper tan using lotions or tan extenders.
Type 3
Now that we have reached the middle ground for the skin classification, I think you are beginning to understand how the scale goes. Type three skin can reach a darker tan compared to types one and two. In fact, it has a good chance of achieving a bronzed glow.
However, you also need to support your indoor or outdoor tanning regime with proper skin protection, tanning lotions, bronzers, and other types of treatment. Don’t be afraid to lavish your skin with a luxurious tanning lotion, accelerator, and bronzer.
Type 4
Olive skin is already a medium brown skin color that is just a few shades away from what many people like to call a bronzed glow. People with this skin type can spend around five minutes in a tanning bed to develop their base tan.
On the bright side, you can get a deeper tan without worrying too much about sunburn. Since type four skin is less sensitive to UV rays, you can easily achieve your desired tan without burning quickly in the sun.
Just make sure not to skip the sunscreen lotion and skin moisturizers. Bronzers and tan accelerators can do wonders and make your skin appear naturally glowing and healthy. Invest in a few good lotions to give yourself the best look.
Also, just because your skin will not burn quickly does not mean that you are safe from overexposure. Make sure to do things in moderation to protect yourself from harm.
Types 5 and 6
You are probably wondering why we have compressed two skin types together. Well, if you have skin that looks naturally tanned or medium to dark brown at most, you probably won’t be thinking about getting a tan.
People who have skin type five or six already have a natural tan with beautiful medium or dark brown skin. This skin type can quickly darken when exposed to intense UV rays and have the least chances of getting sunburn or skin cancer.
Summary
Lighter-toned complexions are usually more sensitive to UV rays, so overexposure can lead to sunburn or higher risks of skin cancer. On the other hand, darker ones can usually withstand more extended periods of exposure before reaching a plateau.
Once you feel that your skin is no longer getting darker, you can opt for tan accelerators to make your skin more translucent. Accelerators stimulate your skin cells, making them more receptive to UV rays. Just be careful and consult with tanning professionals first.
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