Tanning: Does a base tan prevent sunburn?

Date Updated: 07/11/2020

Answer Section

There's little evidence to support the idea that a base tan protects you against sunburn. A few sessions of indoor tanning will not prevent you from burning in the sun. A base tan is no substitute for good sun protection. Plus, the risks of long-term tanning outweigh the unproven benefits of a base tan.

Tanning under the sun or a sunlamp may give modest protection to those who are able to tan well. But the protection it gives does not come close to that derived from the use of a sunscreen. The larger issue is that any change in skin color from tanning is a sign of damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Repeated exposure to UV radiation — whether from the sun or a tanning bed — increases your risk of premature skin aging and skin cancer.

Use these methods to prevent sunburn and other skin conditions:

Avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The sun's rays are strongest during these hours.
Cover up. While outside, wear tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs. Consider wearing clothing specially designed to provide sun protection. A broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses with a high UV protection rating also will help.
Use sunscreen frequently and liberally. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. And reapply it every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring.

Some people have medical conditions that may require a few short exposures to UV light before summer or a sunny vacation, to prevent flare-ups. Talk with your doctor before doing this.