Kayla Young
We’ve all been there. Getting ready to go out for the night, time to throw on that perfect outfit. And then you see them. Tan lines, in all the wrong places.
Ugh.
So what’s the solution? Nude tanning is the only option for a complete, full-body tan with no tan lines, no uneven tan layers, and a perfect sun-kissed look, everywhere.
Some like to get a nude tan before going on vacation, to ensure that there are no tan lines at the beach. Others like to go year-round to maintain the luscious base tan.
This article looks at the basics of nude tanning and gives you the information you need to know to get started achieving that all-over tan.
Contents
Nude Tanning Basics
There are four ways you can get a nude tan. These are:
- Tan at a nude beach
- Go to a tanning salon that allows nude tanning and use an indoor tanning bed
- Get a spray tan from home or a salon
- Use a sunless tanner
Each of these options has pros and cons, and different challenges. Some want the feeling of real UV light on their whole body. Others simply want the tan line-free look and will be able to achieve this with an artificial tan.
Let’s look at all the details now.
Nude Tan Lines
The clear benefit of tanning in the nude is that you don’t get those pesky tan lines. You’ll get an even, clean tan over your entire body, and everything will blend as the same shade and skin tone.
Beautiful!
Where to Nude Tan
There are a few options for naked tanning that involves actual UV light: indoor tanning salons and nude beaches.
1. Nude Suntanning at a Nude Beach
If you want to be nude in public, and like the idea of a nude beach, then you can check out this list and see if there are any nude beaches in your area. There aren’t that many located within the United States. The good news is that they are pretty widely dispersed, so you may have some luck depending on where you live.
In Europe and in other parts of the world, there are cultural differences that may make it easier to get at least a partially nude tan. As always, check to ensure that public nudity is acceptable before you disrobe!
And keep in mind that you’re not going to get much privacy at a nude beach. This is a big downside for many people!
Everybody has their phone on them, even at the nude beach. Be careful.
Regardless, most nude tanners are looking to get a no-tan-line look without exposing their bodies to the world. These people will want to do that in a tanning salon or indoor tanning bed.
2. Nude Tanning in an Indoor Tanning Bed
If you happen to own your own tanning bed, then you don’t need to ask anyone if you want to tan nude! But most people don’t own these beds, and instead go to a salon, gym, spa, etc.
Many tanning salons allow naked indoor tanning. Several spas and salons even offer private rooms with tanning beds in them. In one of these tanning rooms, you can get complete privacy and shelter.
Before you schedule your tanning appointment at a tanning salon, it’s a good idea to ask to see if they allow nude tanning. If so, they will likely have private rooms or a private space dedicated to naked tanning.
Nude tanning is sometimes a little more expensive than clothed tanning. This is due to the necessity for a private room and the greater logistics involved in nude tanning.
As always, it’s important to mention that there are health concerns surrounding tanning bed use. Virtually all health organizations feel they should be banned. Tanning beds are probably the least healthy option for tanning.
3. Nude Spray Tanning
Spray tanning doesn’t involve UV light, but it can produce a luminous, vibrant color in short order. Spray tanning has far fewer health risks associated with it than tanning beds do. When considering tanning beds vs. spray tans, there are a lot of significant advantages to spray tanning.
Most spray tanners get sprayed in the nude, but you’ll have to keep in mind that you don’t spray yourself. If you have a home spray tanning machine like the MaxiMist setup, you’ll need a partner to spray you. If you want to go to the tanning salon for a spray tan, you’ll have a spray tanning professional do the job.
That means getting naked in front of a stranger, which many find awkward.
4. Nude Tanning with a Sunless Tanner
Sunless tanners have come a long way over the last decade, and now there are a ton of high-quality brands on the market. One of my favorites is the Loving Tan Express Delux Bronzing Mousse (which I reviewed here). It comes in three shades and is typically applied with a tanning applicator mitt.
The longer you keep the Loving Tan on your body, the darker you will get. Typically you’ll want to shower about 2 hours after application.
The Loving Tan formulation is especially nice, as you can continually reapply without getting a streaky look. You can exfoliate weekly and reapply and get a constant beautiful skin tone.
Sunless Tanners like the Loving Tan and Mystic Tan (reviewed here) are safe, easy to apply, and you can get a tan in the privacy of your own home. All without having anyone spray you or otherwise intrude on your tanning session.
In many ways, going the sunless tanner route is often the easiest way to get a 100% all-over tan with no tan lines. You can always get your suntan outside with your suit on, and then use the sunless tanner to blend away those areas that are otherwise covered.
Just remember that with spray tans and sunless tanners, you’re not actually getting a tan. Your skin will still burn very quickly with a sunless tanner or spray tan. Be careful!
5. Try Tan-Through Swimwear
There are new fabrics that allow the sun’s rays to enter while still remaining visually solid. They help you tan much more evenly and quickly. Sweet!
These tan-through swimsuits are mostly provided by Kinkini. They make some beautiful swimwear.
No products found.
Is it Safe To Tan Nude?
Tanning in the nude is no less safe than tanning with a bathing suit on. But you’ll have to be extra careful with what’s underneath the skivvies.
Many cancer societies and dermatology societies like the American Academy of Dermatologists will argue that no sun exposure is safe. Others like Australia’s SunSmart argue that there are both risks and benefits to tanning and sun exposure.
The breasts and genitals are areas of the body that are almost always covered.
Throughout our lives, these areas of the body receive the least sun/UV exposure. Consequently, they are more sensitive to UV rays than other areas of the body. If you’re going to tan in the nude, you should protect the privates more than the rest of the body.
These areas will be quicker to burn. So go slowly, keep your sessions short, and use extra protection on your privates! The last thing you want is a serious burn down there.
How To Tan Your Private Areas
To safely tan your private areas, use more frequent, short sessions, and protect them with sunscreen. Be very careful here, you really don’t want to burn!
Once you have gone through the allotted time completely nude, you can put on a bathing suit and resume your tanning session.
When you’re done, you should use a little extra moisturizer on those areas.
The Designer Skin Juicy After Tanning Extender is an excellent choice. And you may want to use some Seven Minerals Pure Aloe Vera Gel as well.
Over time, the skin tone on your privates will blend in with that of the rest of your body.
Should You Cover Your Nipples While Tanning?
Some tanning salons will offer covers for the nipples for use during nude tanning. The nipples can be ultra-sensitive to light and are susceptible to discoloration. If you’re not using protective covers, be sure to use extra UV protection on the nipples!
Nude Tanning Pros and Cons
There are a few pros and cons to tanning in the nude. I’ll look at them here.
Pros of Tanning Nude
The biggest benefit of nude tanning is the perfect even tan with no tan lines.
Like to wear a variety of different clothing types and swimsuits that reveal different areas of the body in different ways? Then tan lines can become a problem or a distraction.
Awkward tan lines can make wearing certain outfits difficult to pull off. Those lines can limit your clothing choices. By tanning nude and getting rid of the tan lines, you can look good in any ensemble. Or in nothing at all!
Cons of Tanning Nude
The biggest drawback to tanning in the nude is the difficulty of making the logistics work.
Remember there’s no guarantee of privacy at nude beaches. It’s pretty easy to conceal a camera nowadays, and everyone has a phone on them all the time, even at a nude beach. The unfortunate reality is that you may end up on the internet if you tan at a public nude beach.
Assuming you want to do your nude tanning indoors, there is a different set of issues.
First, you need to find a place that allows you to tan in the nude.
Once you’ve got that, you need to speak to the salon professionals for guidance. Ask them how long to tan in their tanning beds and what protection you should use.
For a time, your skin will remain out of balance until you gradually even out the skin tone on the privates and the rest of the body. But eventually, it will even out if you follow the steps and are cautious with your tanning program.
Preparation for Indoor Naked Tanning
To get prepped for nude tanning at a salon, it’s best to start visiting the salon and tanning clothed first. This will get you used to the beds, the environment, and the employees. Be sure you investigate the cleaning practices. And check to make sure you aren’t getting tanning bed rash from the tanning salon.
You really don’t want to get a tanning bed rash on the privates!
Confirm that the salon uses Hospital-grade cleaning products on their sunbeds and that they know what you’re doing.
Then it’s time to check out the private beds and see if you would be comfortable tanning in those spaces in the nude. Are they truly private in their own rooms, behind a curtain, or what?
If you’re comfortable with what you see, it’s time to book an appointment and give it a go!
Skin Protection for Tanning Naked
Sunblock is a must for those private areas. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF30, ideally one made with Zinc Oxide as the primary ingredient. Some may want to tan for a few minutes without any sunscreen, but this really isn’t a great idea.
If you want to do it anyway, keep that length of time very short before you stop and apply sunscreen!
The Blue Lizard Sensitive Sunscreen SPF30 is a great choice for those private areas, and for the whole body.
Final Thoughts: How To Tan Nude
Tanning nude will give you an even, natural sun-kissed glow, all over the body. All over the body. To do this, you can go to a nude beach, go to a nude tanning salon, try a spray tan, or use a sunless tanner. The easiest and safest path to an all-over tan with no tan lines is to go with a spray tan or sunless tanner. These products are safe, and by using these options you can get a great color balance over the whole body.
But if you feel the need for UV light to hit the whole body, then you’ll have to find a tanning salon or nude beach in your area that allows nude tanning. Be sure the salon follows good cleanliness practices, and that they have tanning beds dedicated to nude tanning.
Work with the professionals at the salon to find the right lotions and moisturizers for your private areas. And be cautious exposing those areas to full UV light for long periods of time.
After a short while, you’ll get that lovely balanced tan you seek!
