Is a “Base Tan” a Real Thing? Find Out Before You Fake Bake

In just a few short weeks I’m headed to Miami for what is sure to be a most perfect weekend. The only problem is that my fair skin does not take kindly to large doses of the sun – especially not at the start of the summer. As someone who tends to turn more pink than brown, I’m always trying to figure out how to avoid an unsightly burn.

Over the years, like many people, I have always been under the impression that getting a base tan (either from a tanning bed or from lying out in the sun in small doses) will help to prevent a burn once I get myself onto the beach where the sun is strongest. I admittedly haven’t “laid out” in years, so I wonder: is it really in my best interest to get some sun before I go? Will heading to Florida with a base tan help to protect me from getting sun-scorched – or is any kind of intentional tanning doing my body more harm than good?

It turns out that tanned skin is not any stronger or less likely to burn than fair skin. Dermatologists agree that darkened skin provides the protection equivalent to a maximum of 4 SPF – so, without added protection, you might as well lay out covered in the industry’s least protective tanning oil. (But seriously, that’s not recommended.)

Base tans aside, my research reiterated that sun protection is crucial to a happy vacation and that a tan delivered by the fake sun of a tanning bed will not protect me or leave me burn-proof – but will a little sun exposure protect me from unnecessary damage?

The short answer is no. I was surprised to learn that the darkening of the skin that creates a tan in the first place is actually caused by our skin creating melanin in defense to sun exposure (which damages its cells). This is true of both a faux or natural tan and is further evidence that a base tan will not give me the protection that I’m after.

So, how do I protect myself in Miami?

This probably does not come as a shock, but liberal sunscreen application is the name of the game. My advice? Buy one that feels luxurious on your skin so that it’s not a chore to apply. I gravitate towards lotions that feel like skincare, adding hydration and tone to my arms and legs without a ton of extra work to rub and tug while applying.

Beyond staying true to your SPF, it is also important to protect the most sensitive skin on your face by taking cover under a (chic!) wide-brimmed had and donning your favorite dark sunnies. For the ultimate in protection, seek shade. I have had enough bad burns to know that on the hottest and sunniest of days, I am much happier staying under an umbrella with my Kindle than baking on the sand.

And not to sound like your mom, but if a sunburn isn’t the kind of accessory that you’re after, be sure to reapply your SPF after a dip in the waves or in the pool and try to be extra careful between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest.

In good news, there is a solid option for me to get a base tan before hitting the streets of South Beach – because this pasty skin flatters no one! I’m opting to get my bronze on from a sunless tanner that’s sure to deliver a glow without the damage. While this won’t protect my skin from the sun once I’m down south, it will give me the healthy-looking skin that I’m after and my go-to sunscreen will do the rest.

Happy summer!