Many people believe nude tanning to be controversial. But, for regular tanning enthusiasts, it is accepted as one of the best ways to achieve an even glow without pesky tan lines. In fact, nude sunbathing dates back to Ancient Greece, where it was regarded as beneficial for health.
Nevertheless, as long as you do it in moderation, there seem to be many benefits. In this guide, we will take a look at these benefits and give you a few tips on how to make the most out of nude tanning.
What Is Nude Tanning?
Generally speaking, nude tanning is the process of sunbathing without clothes on. The main purpose of this practice is to get an even tan and prevent tan lines. However, this practice is only allowed on private property and specially designed beaches to avoid indecent exposure.
The Pros of Nude Tanning
From an even tan to an increased comfort level, here are some of the most significant benefits of nude tanning.
1. Appearance Benefits
As previously mentioned, the most obvious pro of nude tanning is the fact that you get no tan lines in the process. With normal tanning, no matter how carefully you dress to avoid any noticeable tan lines, you almost always end up with lighter areas where your outfit covers your skin.
That is particularly true when someone tans with one swimsuit and later wears another one of a different shape. So, unless you wear the exact same bathing suit every day, the awkward tan line will be very prominent, which is not the case with nude sunbathing.
2. Comfort
Another important reason tanning without clothes is becoming more popular is due to comfort. For starters, getting rid of clothes removes the uncomfortable tugging and pulling of elastic waistbands.
Additionally, it prevents allergies that are often associated with suntanning. More specifically, when you sit in a tanning bed, your clothes create a greenhouse effect, essentially trapping the heat and causing sweating. The build-up of sweat can trigger allergies, which cause rashes, inflammation, and itchiness. You can avoid all that by sunbathing without wearing any clothes.
3. Health Benefits
Tanning is not only a great way to improve your appearance, but it is also recommended by doctors thanks to its health benefits. Put simply; tanning allows you to soak up more vitamin D, which strengthens your skin, bones, teeth, and organs. Sunbathing can also prevent a number of conditions and illnesses, such as the flu and even kidney disease.
Furthermore, tanning can lower your blood pressure, reducing the risk of diabetes and helping you lose weight. That’s because sun exposure increases your body’s nitric oxide production, which is responsible for widening blood vessels. In turn, this lowers blood pressure and facilitates the spread of insulin throughout the body.
And lastly, tanning can increase men’s testosterone levels. As a matter of fact, research has shown that testosterone products can improve by up to 120%. While you can tap into most of these benefits with traditional sunbathing, removing your clothing increases sunlight exposure, further enhancing the health benefits.
The Cons of Nude Tanning
Even though nude tanning offers many benefits, some disadvantages need to be discussed. While they shouldn’t be a dealbreaker for most tanning enthusiasts, you need to keep these cons in mind before you try nude tanning.
1. Accessibility
The fact that you are literally naked is a major disadvantage of nude tanning. For most people, especially those that live in big cities, there is a lack of outdoor options for naked sunbathing. Those lucky few who own a private backyard don’t have to worry about finding a place to tan. But even they are not protected by the prying eyes of their neighbors.
That leaves tanning salons as the only option. However, while they usually have private tanning beds for those that want to do it naked, there is still a lack of complete privacy. Overall, regardless of its benefits, nude tanning is not an option for everybody, particularly those who are not comfortable with other people seeing them naked.
2. Tanning Too Quickly
Getting an even tan in a fast period is a big benefit for most people. However, it can be a dealbreaker for some who enjoy spending hours relaxing in the sunlight.
Although experts can’t exactly tell why that’s the case, most people state that they tan much faster when nude than when dressed. One of the most popular theories revolves around the fact that clothing may draw the UV rays away and even absorb some of them. But no matter why you tan quicker when naked, it is important to be aware of it, especially if you are doing it for the first time.
Lastly, some tanners believe that nude tanning can cause sunburns much more easily than traditional sunbathing. Therefore, your tanning sessions will need to be shorter to avoid pain. Keep in mind that UV rays can be very harmful to bare skin, so always tan in moderation.
Tips for Nude Tanning
Ready to give nude tanning a try but not sure where to start? Here are a couple of tips that should help you prepare for it and avoid most of the cons of nude sunbathing.
1. Choose the Right Location
As previously noted, you are pretty limited when choosing a location for tanning without clothes. But be careful if you want to do it outside, as even your backyard might not be 100% private. So either find a private beach that endorses nude tanning or be on the lookout for any peeping Toms.
Alternatively, you can tan indoors at a local salon. But you’ll have to be cautious, mainly because not every tanning salon is up to code. Remember that your health is at stake, so take your time and always do your research before choosing a salon. For that, you can rely on online reviews or ask your friends and family for their opinion.
2. Protect Yourself
It doesn’t matter if you are tanning outdoors or indoors; you’ll have to equip yourself properly. When sunbathing outdoors, remember to wear sunblock, even if you are used to sunlight, to lower the risk of sunburn. When indoors, use some eye protection glasses to prevent wrinkles and shelter your eyes from UV rays.
Additionally, don’t forget that dry and flaky skin can cause allergies. As a result, you should use some lotion or moisturizer before and after tanning, both outdoors and indoors.
3. Don’t Overdo It
Basking in the sun without wearing any clothes can feel very relaxing, so you might be tempted to overdo it. It’s important to note that, even in cool weather, you can still get sunburned from the UV rays that keep hitting your skin. Therefore, you should start slowly and don’t rush the tanning process.
Most experts recommend covering the areas of your body that you don’t expose much to UV rays before using underwear or a swimsuit. Then, you can expose these parts slowly, allowing them to adapt and gradually build melanin production and prevent serious burns.
Furthermore, you should pick a time of the day when the sun isn’t as powerful, such as before 10 AM and after 4 PM. If you do it indoors, spend less time in the booth than recommended.
4. Position Yourself Properly
At the end of the day, your position determines how tan each part of your body gets. For instance, if you spend all day on your back, there will be noticeable skin tone differences between your front and back. In order to tan evenly, you need to flip every half hour. Flipping over allows you to expose your entire body to the sun, not just a specific side. And don’t forget to expose your limbs too.
5. Don’t Fall Asleep
Sleep will be one of the toughest adversaries that you’ll encounter when sunbathing. If you do fall asleep, you increase the chance that your neighbors will discover you, or you might wake up with a severe sunburn. To avoid that, set up an alarm or listen to some music. You can also read a book; however, that might prove counterproductive for some people.
6. Drink Plenty of Water
While it might not seem like it, tanning is a physical activity, meaning that your body needs additional water. Even though you might not be moving much, your body sits in the sun and dries out due to UV rays.
Keeping a bottle of water nearby and taking several sips every 20 minutes is a great way to stay hydrated. Not only is it good for your health, but doing so will maintain the skin’s glow and elasticity throughout the day.
7. Talk to a Professional
Before you give nude tanning a shot, you might want to visit a tanning specialist. They will give you a few guidelines to reduce the chances of sunburn while also advising you against tanning if your skin is too sensitive. A specialist can also recommend a personalized schedule that helps you make the most out of tanning without overdoing it.
